Civilian-led governance of police in Canada has a rich history that can be traced back to various provincial legislative acts pre-dating Confederation.
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Today, police services are governed by civilian bodies comprised of appointees or volunteers from municipal or provincial organizations, depending on federal and provincial legislation. While board compositions may vary, their fundamental roles and responsibilities remain remarkably similar.
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Given this consistency, why is the governance of policing exemplary in some regions but challenging in others? Why does public concern for oversight fluctuate so significantly?
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More specifically, why are police service boards for municipal services often more empowered than those overseeing “contracted” RCMP or OPP detachments in rural areas and territories?
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After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Identify how strategic goals should align with community needs and input.
- Differentiate between municipal police services and contracted services (e.g., RCMP and OPP).
- Describe the functions, powers, and limitations of police and advisory boards.
- Explain why the oversight and governance of police is a unique and critical matter of public policy.
