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Aug 17, 2023
TORONTO – On November 18, 2022, the Director issued a Notification Letter to all Ontario police services outlining how they could prevent further public complaints about dynamic entries, and enhance public trust by reviewing and updating their related policies and procedures. This letter and responses from Ontario police services are available on the OIPRD’s website […]
May 15, 2023
Today, the OIPRD’s website has a new page tracking progress implementing the forty-four recommendations in Broken Trust: Indigenous People and the Thunder Bay Police Service. At the time Broken Trust was released, the OIPRD committed to publishing a report on the progress implementing its recommendations for two years. In February 2020, the OIPRD released One […]
Nov 18, 2022
Today, the Director issued a Notification Letter to all Ontario police services about issues arising from dynamic entries, or police departing from the “knock and announce” rule during the execution of search warrants at residences. This letter is available on the OIPRD website under the “Notifications” tab at www.oiprd.on.ca/news/notifications. Notification letters proactively identify issues which, […]
Mar 17, 2022
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) has a new Rule of Procedure for consolidation of complaints, effective March 17, 2022. Consolidation Rule 6A will lead to a more efficient oversight process by streamlining procedures, avoiding duplications and coordinating investigations on the same issue. Please see below Consolidation Rule 6A. RULE 6A […]
Jan 19, 2022
In 2021, the Office of the Independent Police Review Director launched a service-by-service page that provided informative statistical information to the public. Previously, this page only contained data as of December 31, 2020, but now you can view the 2021 statistics by clicking on the drop-down menu on the top right corner. This page will […]
Jun 15, 2021
On April 15, 2020, the Court of Appeal released Stanley v Office of the Independent Police Review Director, 2020 ONCA 252. In this decision, the Court of Appeal determined that, other than to correct a manifest error, the Independent Police Review Director (“the Director”) does not have common law authority to reconsider statutory decisions under […]
Mar 31, 2021
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director launches an easy-to-use service by service page that provides informative statistical information to the public. This page includes features, such as a drop-down menu that will provide statistical information for each police service across the province, and the following information will also be available: Conduct Complaints Conduct […]
Mar 3, 2021
Early Resolution is a quick, voluntary process that enhances communication between the public and the police. Early Resolution is neutral, accountable, and confidential. For more information, visit the Early Resolution page.
Oct 5, 2020
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Carla Goncalves as the Deputy Director of the OIPRD, effective September 7, 2020. “Carla’s experience and extensive knowledge of the OIPRD will be an asset as we continue to increase efficiency and streamline OIPRD processes.” Stephen Leach, OIPRD Director […]
Aug 28, 2020
The OIPRD has updated our online complaint form and our guide: Making a Complaint About the Police. We have updated the form to improve clarity, updated content on our Early Resolutions program, and included a voluntary form for race-based data collection. The online form and booklet are available in English and French on our website […]
Jun 18, 2020
The mandate of the Office of the Independent Police Review Director includes a statutory obligation to monitor and respond to policing issues that signal systemic failings. In this context, the OIPRD may provide notifications to police chiefs and their boards of potential systemic concerns. The OIPRD will publicly post the letters on the “Notifications” page […]
Jun 4, 2020
TORONTO – Due to the numerous calls and inquiries from the media and members of the public in relation to Ms. Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s death, and the wide distribution of a video on social media related to a May 2019 incident which was the subject of an OIPRD investigation, the Director is issuing this public statement: […]
May 11, 2020
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Childs as Deputy Director effective May 11, 2020. “I look forward to leveraging Scott’s experience as we improve our services to Ontarians” – Stephen Leach, OIPRD Director. Prior to joining the OIPRD as legal counsel, Mr. Childs was […]
Apr 15, 2020
Dear member of the public: Please find attached, two draft OIPRD guidelines for your review and consideration: 001 Guideline for Reviewing Complaints 002 Guideline for Retaining/Referring Complaints The Director would be pleased to receive your feedback before finalizing these guidelines. If you have any feedback on the draft guidelines, please email oiprd@ontario.ca by 5:00 p.m. […]
Apr 2, 2020
As of April 1, 2020, the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 (ARA) and the regulation made under it authorize the OIPRD to collect personal information such as Indigenous identity, race, religion, and ethnic origin from members of the public who make a complaint to the agency through complaint forms. This authorization is consistent with the Ontario Government’s […]
Mar 16, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is taking action to safeguard the health and well-being of front-line workers and Ontarians, while continuing to ensure access to justice. Effective today, the OIPRD is temporarily halting in-person services by closing the service counter located at 655 Bay Street, […]
Feb 26, 2020
Today the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), releases its report, One Year After Broken Trust: Report on Implementation. The report reviews the Thunder Bay Police Service’s (TBPS) progress on the implementation of the recommendations made in the OIPRD’s systemic review, Broken Trust: Indigenous People and the Thunder Bay Police Service (further referred to as, ‘Broken Trust’).
Feb 3, 2020
TORONTO – The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) welcomes its new Independent Police Review Director (IPRD), Stephen Leach, effective January 31, 2020. Mr. Leach is responsible for receiving, managing and overseeing all public complaints about police in Ontario. Mr. Leach brings a wealth of Canadian and international legal experience. He studied law […]
Oct 18, 2019
On October 19, 2019, the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) will celebrate its 10-year anniversary. We’ll be marking 10 years of helping build trust between communities and police services across the province through an accountable and transparent police complaints process, our ongoing leadership in policing oversight and our ability to influence policing […]
Jun 28, 2019
Ontario’s police oversight system is changing. The Community Safety and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent on March 26, 2019,will impact the Office of the Independent Police Review Director in several ways. However, we remain committed to our mandate to effectively manage and oversee public complaints about police and to help maintain trust between officers […]
Jun 21, 2019
This week, Thunder Bay Police Chief Sylvie Hauth presented to the city’s police services board a six-month progress report in relation to recommendations put forward in our systemic review, Broken Trust: Indigenous People and the Thunder Bay Police Service. The OIPRD has received a copy of the progress report and will review the initiatives undertaken […]
Mar 27, 2019
TORONTO – The Office of the Independent Police Review Director welcomes its new Interim Independent Police Review Director, Sylvana Capogreco, effective April 1, 2019. Ms. Capogreco, who served as senior counsel and then deputy director to the Independent Police Review Director, has a distinguished career as an experienced prosecutor in Ontario. In 2004 Ms. Capogreco […]
Mar 21, 2019
TORONTO – Police in Ontario conduct too many unjustified strip searches that intrude on the privacy rights of those affected and negatively impact criminal court cases, according to the latest systemic review report released today by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD). The report finds police procedures regarding strip searches are inconsistent […]
Mar 20, 2019
Ontario’s Independent Police Review Director, Gerry McNeilly, will release his systemic review report on police strip searches in Ontario. Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019 Time: 11 a.m. Location: 655 Bay Street 10th Floor Toronto (Accredited media and invited stakeholders only.) The full report will be posted to the OIPRD website at 9 a.m. The news […]
Dec 12, 2018
THUNDER BAY – The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) today released its systemic review report on the relationship between the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and Indigenous communities, finding significant deficiencies in sudden death investigations involving Indigenous people that are due, in part, to racial stereotyping. The report also addresses systemic racism […]
Dec 5, 2018
Ontario’s Independent Police Review Director, Gerry McNeilly, will release his systemic review report on Thunder Bay Police Service’s Policies, practices and attitudes on missing persons and death investigations involving Indigenous people. Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Time: 11 a.m. Location: Da Vinci Centre Marco Polo Room 340 Waterloo St. S. Thunder Bay, ON Media and […]
Oct 5, 2018
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director has a new mobile-friendly website that is more accessible and easier to use and read. The website now includes many features, such as a text resizer, for people who use alternative browsers or devices to access the web. Other new features include: An improved navigation menu and […]
Nov 2, 2017
TORONTO – The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) welcomes proposed legislation that would, if passed, strengthen the police complaints system. “I supported the recommendations in Justice Tulloch’s Independent Police Oversight Review and I welcome the proposed Safer Ontario Act, 2017.
Sep 11, 2017
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) will hold a public meeting in Thunder Bay on September 25, 2017, as part of the consultations for its systemic review of the policies, practices and attitudes of the Thunder Bay Police Service as they relate to Indigenous death and missing person investigations.
Jul 4, 2017
I would like to clarify how a public complaint about a police chief must be handled, according to the Police Services Act (PSA) and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) Rules of Procedure. The OIPRD receives, manages and oversees public complaints about police in Ontario. The OIPRD is an arm’s length agency […]
Apr 6, 2017
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) welcomes recommendations for changes to the police complaints system that will increase public confidence and make the system more effective, transparent and accountable. “I support the recommendations in Justice Tulloch’s report.
Mar 31, 2017
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) today released its interim systemic review report on police interactions with people in crisis and use of force.
Mar 16, 2017
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is inviting written submissions for its systemic review of Ontario police services’ policies and practices for conducting strip searches of people arrested or otherwise detained. In R. v. Golden, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that strip searches are a significant infringement of a person’s privacy […]
Feb 13, 2017
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) has extended the deadline for submissions to its systemic review of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s practices for policing Indigenous Peoples, and specifically, their policies, practices and attitudes regarding missing person and death investigations involving Indigenous Peoples.
Nov 3, 2016
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is conducting a systemic review of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s practices for policing Indigenous Peoples, and specifically, their policies, practices and attitudes regarding missing person and death investigations involving Indigenous Peoples.
Jul 26, 2016
Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is conducting a systemic review of Ontario police services’ policies and practices for conducting strip searches of people arrested or otherwise detained. In R. v. Golden, [2001] 3 S.C.R. 679, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized that strip searches are inherently humiliating and degrading for detainees and […]
Jul 12, 2016
The Independent Police Review Director today called on the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and other police services in Ontario to adopt a policy to govern how DNA canvasses are conducted. His systemic review report, Casting the Net: A Review of Ontario Provincial Police Practices for DNA Canvasses, released today, includes a Model Policy on DNA […]
Apr 20, 2015
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) has revised and expanded the Terms of Reference for its systemic review of use of force, lethal use of force, deescalation techniques and approaches in dealing with people with mental health issues, emotionally disturbed people and people in distress. “While the original review focused on the […]
Mar 3, 2014
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director is conducting a review of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) practices for obtaining voluntary DNA samples from specific groups of people during criminal investigations. “Allegations that dozens of migrant workers who were asked to submit to DNA tests for a criminal investigation did not match the description […]
Feb 24, 2014
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is conducting a review of Toronto Police Service’s (TPS) use of force, de-escalation techniques and approach in dealing with people with mental health issues, emotionally disturbed people and people in crisis. “Recent high-profile cases of Toronto Police Service’s use of force have raised concerns among Toronto […]
Nov 6, 2013
Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) today launched a pilot mediation program that will allow less serious complaints about police to be resolved through mediation. “Many of the complaints the OIPRD receives about police conduct stem from misunderstanding, miscommunication or allegations of improper officer behavior. Although formal investigations of complaints are sometimes necessary, dealing […]
May 12, 2012
Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) today released its G20 Systemic Review Report providing an in-depth analysis of issues surrounding public complaints against police during the G20 summit in Toronto in June 2010. “The events that took place over the course of the G20 weekend resulted in the largest mass arrests in Canadian […]
Jun 24, 2011
Background In June of 2010, the City of Toronto hosted a summit of international leaders from 20 nations across the world, commonly known as the G20. This was the fourth meeting of the G20 leaders and was intended to be a forum to discuss international economic cooperation during the ongoing world recession. The security preparations […]
Nov 4, 2010
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) today released the Terms of Reference for its review of systemic issues surrounding public complaints against police during the G20 Summit in Toronto. “The Terms of Reference set out the framework for a review that will identify issues and make recommendations to specifically address the policing […]
Jul 22, 2010
Review To Be Thorough, Efficient And Fair To Public And Police The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is conducting a review of issues surrounding public complaints against police during the G20 Summit in Toronto. The OIPRD has a mandate to provide an efficient and effective police complaints oversight system. The Director has […]
Oct 19, 2009
Public complaint about the police can be filed October 19, 2009 The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) officially opened its doors to the public today, bringing in new, stronger civilian oversight in Ontario. The OIPRD was created in response to a report by the Honourable Patrick LeSage, recommending a new independent body […]
