Local Resolution
Local Resolution allows less serious complaints to be resolved directly with a police service outside of the formal OIPRD process. This process is defined and governed by Regulation 263/09 of the Police Services Act, 1990.
The complaint may be dealt with at the police station by an officer in authority who is designated by the police chief. Local Resolution allows the police to solve, explain, clear up or settle a minor complaint directly with the complainant. Where a matter has been resolved by Local Resolution it is not considered to be a complaint. Police services must tell complainants about the OIPRD, complainants must voluntarily agree to participate in Local Resolution and be given the option to file a formal complaint with the OIPRD.
Local Resolution is possible for matters dealing with:
- Personal property, other than money or a firearm
- Failure to treat or protect a person equally
- The use of profane language
- Contraventions of the act or regulations
- Acting in a disorderly manner
- Neglect of duty
- Failure to work in accordance with orders
- Failure to report a matter
- Omitting to make any necessary entry in a record
- Improper dress or appearance
- Conspiring and abetting the misconduct listed above
There are different ways of dealing with a complaint using Local Resolution. These may include:
- Immediate resolution by providing information face-to-face
- A letter from the police concluding the Local Resolution and explaining what has been done
Individual communication between the complainant and the respondent officer(s), organized through the officer dealing with the Local Resolution
- Creating an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting that would include the officer, the complainant and the officer facilitating the resolution process. The respondent officer(s), as well as the complainant, would need to agree to a face-to-face meeting taking place
- With the consent of the complainant, police chief, respondent officer and the Director, refer the matter to an alternative dispute resolution process
Complainants must be prepared to:
- Provide their full name, address, telephone number and date of birth
- Tell the police what happened
- Explain what they feel would be an appropriate resolution
- Agree to the final resolution and sign a form indicating that the complaint has been resolved in a satisfactory manner
The police are required to:
- Listen to the complainant
- Explain what action can be taken
- Explain what cannot be done during the process so that the complainant understands the limitations
- Confirm the process with the complainant, including who will deal with the complaint and what the resolution will be
- Complete and sign the required forms and forward them to the OIPRD
- Provide the complainant with copies of all forms
The issue must be resolved within 30 days of the initial complaint. If the police are unable to resolve the complaint within 30 days, they may request an extension from the OIPRD. If it is still unresolved after the extended time, it must be forwarded to the OIPRD to be dealt with as a formal complaint.
When the OIPRD receives all the Local Resolution forms and the agreed-to resolution has been carried out, the complaint is considered resolved and closed. The complainant cannot then file the same complaint with the OIPRD.
Form:
Local Resolution Booklet and Form PDF
