OACP Responds to Inspector General of Policing’s Spotlight Report on Public Order Units

MEDIA RELEASE

Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Responds to Inspector General of Policing’s Spotlight Report on Public Order Units

For Immediate Release: May 26, 2025

(Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) today responded to the Inspector General of Policing’s release of the Spotlight Report – Policing of Protests and Major Events: Public Order Maintenance in Ontario.

“Public Order Units play a crucial role in keeping Ontario communities safe. Having highly trained and equipped POU capacity throughout the province also enhances officer safety and allows for safer, more effective responses and outcomes when police are required to navigate protests and major events. That is why we have welcomed opportunities to engage with the Inspector General during the Inspectorate’s review of the state of POUs in the province. The Spotlight Report highlights the need to be future focused and sets the stage for continued dialogue and collaboration on this important public safety issue. We welcome those conversations and working together to build a sustainable POU resourcing model in Ontario that meets the evolving safety needs of all of our communities and police services,” said Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie, OACP President. 

In its report, the Inspector General of Policing concluded that the state of public order policing in Ontario is strong in terms of the legal and governance infrastructure governing POUs and that POUs are generally responsive to emerging and evolving conditions in Ontario, where they can deploy effectively in both planned and unplanned circumstances. 

The OACP looks forward continuing to work with the Inspector General and other policing stakeholders to address the future needs of Ontario communities who depend on police services and POUs to respond to often complex public order demands. 

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For more information, contact:

Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto, Director of Government Relations & Communications

T. (416) 926-0424, ext. 22

C. (416) 919-9798

E. media@oacp.ca

Web: www.oacp.ca