Understanding Ontario Special Constables

1
TL; DR: WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

For the first time ever in Ontario, Special Constables have the attention of the Ontario government!

The new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 replaced the Police Services Act, 1990 and will include a whole set of regulations for Special Constables’ roles and functions, training, uniforms, equipment, authorities and a code of conduct

The Ministry responsible for Public Safety in Ontario and therefor Special Constables, is the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

The regulations are still being drafted by government, with the support of stakeholder consultations

The Ontario Special Constable Association (OSCA) has been participating as a stakeholder and subject matter expert alongside the many others, but we’ve noticed something concerning:

The CSPA (and all) regulatory policies for Special Constables in Ontario are being developed WITHOUT the support of empirical evidence. Because it doesn't exist.

This gap in research means the first-ever regulations for Special Constables in Ontario are being influenced by opinion and political will as much as it is by best (or worst) practices from stakeholders and subject matter experts.

The OSCA has created this survey as part of a research paper that will be presented to government and public safety leaders with evidence-based policy recommendations for Special Constables, by Special Constables.

All Special Constables in Ontario should complete this survey to ensure their voices and experiences as Special Constables are counted, captured, and amplified. Otherwise, this historic moment will be decided by everyone else.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Background:

For the first time in Ontario's history, the Ontario government is setting out to create policy and regulations for Special Constables in the new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), replacing the Police Services Act, 1990. These regulations will impact the roles, functions, equipment, authorities, training, and uniforms of Special Constables; essentially, Special Constables' day-to-day experiences of their profession will be determined in these regulations.

Among the many challenges in creating a first-ever, provincially regulated policy for Special Constables from scratch (besides a pandemic and an election interrupting the process), there is no existing research about Special Constables to inform the policy content.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General has been holding stakeholder consultations since September of 2019 to gather input, information, and context about the past and present work of Special Constables to build regulations which will directly impact the relationship between Special Constables and the public, their partners in public safety, as well as the safety of Special Constables in fulfilling the regulated roles and functions.

While many experienced and knowledgeable stakeholders are being consulted by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the Ontario Special Constable Association (OSCA) is the only subject matter expert and stakeholder to represent only Special Constables, and without confliction.

Purpose:

The OSCA is seeking to collect data from Special Constables in Ontario - the experts on being Special Constables in Ontario - to understand their experiences and evaluate how Special Constables should be uniformed, equipped, trained, and what authorities and other needs are required to fulfill their mandates, roles, and functions.

The data will be analyzed and shared as a research paper, produced by the OSCA. The completed research paper will discuss the findings, make empirically based policy recommendations, and share those findings and recommendations broadly with Special Constables, government, and public safety leaders and professionals.

While there is a significant body of police-centric research from various fields and industries, spanning generations and geographies, studying uniforms, equipment, officer mental health, officer perceptions of their safety, training and much more, there is NO existing Special Constable-specific research and this study is the first of it’s kind, (to the present knowledge of the Ontario Special Constable Association, as of September 2022).

The purpose of this study is to begin a research practice that captures important information about the work of Special Constables to guide policy which will shape the future of the profession.

Method:

This research will be conducted via electronic survey and administered to volunteer participants, who must be currently appointed and sworn as a Special Constables in Ontario or has been previously employed as a Special Constables in Ontario within the last 10 years.

Circulation of this survey will rely on professional networks and sharing on social media.

The first window of participation in this survey will commence on September 24, 2022 and conclude October 31, 2022.

All content and results herein is the property of the Ontario Special Constable Association.

All Special Constables in Ontario should complete this survey to ensure their voices and experiences as Special Constables are counted, captured, and amplified. Otherwise, this historic moment will be decided by everyone else.
2
Please verify you're human* This field is required.
3
Participant Instructions:

Please answer questions truthfully, to the best of your recollection and understanding.

Intepretation of terms:

Throughout the survey:

"Special Constable blue" refers to hues in likeness to what is commonly referred to as royal blue.

"Roof lamps" refers roof lights, in their usual form and functions, equipped upon patrol vehicles used by Special Constables

Police Special Constable (PSC): Special Constable employed by a Police Service

Community Special Constable (CSC): Special Constable employed within the community, by a Transit, Community Housing, or University/College or similar employer

Where required, other definitions and context of terms will be included within the question to ensure greater accuracy in data.
4
What is your appointment status as a special constable in Ontario?* This field is required.Demographics
Sworn, appointed and employed as a special constable
Formally a sworn special constable within the last 10 years, but now a police officer
Formerly a special constable within the last 10 years, are now have a different job
Retired as a special constable within the last 10 years
5
For how many years total have you been or were appointed as a special constable?* This field is required.Demographics
6
In what type of role are you appointed as a special constable?* This field is required.Demographics
University or College
Transit
Community Housing
Police
7
If you are employed by a Police Service, what are the typical functions of your role as a Police Special Constable (PSC)* This field is required.Demographics
PSC: Court Safety and Security
PSC: Cell block operations (searching, lodging, etc)
PSC: Offender transport and conveyance
PSC: General/community patrol
PSC: Calls for service
PSC: Laying criminal charges
PSC: Laying provincial offence notices
PSC: Making arrests
PSC: Use of force
PSC: Report taking on scene
PSC: Report taking at a station and/or over the phone
PSC: Public order and/or Search and Rescue
PSC: Witness statements
PSC: Victim Statements
PSC: Accused Statements
PSC: Securing crime scenes
PSC: Evidence/witness canvassing
PSC: Forensic analysis, collection, documentation etc.
PSC: Evidence Maintenance
PSC: Document services (subpoenas etc.)
PSC: school or community partner liaison
PSC: Handling toxic materials such as controlled drugs and substances
PSC: First aid, CPR
Other
8
If you are employed in the community, what are the typical functions of your role as a Community Special Constable (CSC)* This field is required.Demographics
Not Applicable
CSC: Court Safety and Security
CSC: Cell block operations (searching, lodging, etc)
CSC: Offender transport and conveyance
CSC: General/community patrol
CSC: Calls for service
CSC: Laying criminal charges
CSC: Laying provincial offence notices
CSC: Making arrests
CSC: Use of force
CSC: Report taking on scene
CSC: Report taking at a station and/or over the phone
CSC: Public order and/or Search and Rescue
CSC: Witness statements
CSC: Victim Statements
CSC: Accused Statements
CSC: Securing crime scenes
CSC: Evidence/witness canvassing
CSC: Forensic analysis, collection, documentation etc.
CSC: Evidence Maintenance
CSC: Document services (subpoenas etc.)
CSC: School or community partner liaison
CSC: Handling toxic materials such as controlled drugs and substances
CSC: First aid, CPR
Other
9
What is the colour of your standard issue uniform shirt:* This field is required.
black/navy blue/dark blue
white
grey
light blue (baby blue, french blue etc.)
red
high visibility yellow
Other
10
What colour is the stripe on your standard issue uniform pant (sides of pant legs)* This field is required.
Red
Special Constable blue (Royal blue)
Light/baby blue
White/silver
Yellow
None
Other
11
What use of force equipment are your issued:* This field is required.Pepper Spray refers to the substance known as Oleoresin Capsicum
ASP Baton
Pepper Spray foam
Pepper Spray gel
Pepper Spray
None
Handcuffs
Other
12
What best describes the roof lamps of the vehicles provided to you to perform your work:This question does not refer to directional or arrow lights that may also be equipped on the vehicle
Red and blue lights
White and red lights
White and blue lights
White and yellow lights
Yellow and white lights
Red lights
White lights
Blue lights
Yellow lights
Not applicable (not issued a vehicle)
Other
13
How would you describe the markings on the standard patrol vehicle provided to perform your regular duties
Adequate: Clearly marked and identified as Special Constable
Inadequate: Markings are ambiguous and could be confused by the public for a non-law enforcement vehicle, such as security and/or a public service vehicle
Inadequate: Markings are ambiguous and could be confused by the public for a Police Officer vehicle
Vehicle is not marked
Not applicable (not issued a vehicle)
14
Definitions in this section:

Security: work, or persons who are:

seurity guards;

meant to perform security functions for private, for-profit entities

without the powers of a police officer to perform their duties

not Peace Officers

not required to be appointed to their position by the Ministry of the Solicitor General or a Police Services Board

not required to swear an oath, as prescribed by provincial legislation or regulation
15
How often does a person you're interacting with, while in the execution of your duties, mistake your role and authority as similar to that of security?* This field is required.*This question refers to those interactions with suspects, witnesses, arrested persons, or anyone that is legally subject to your authority as a Peace Officer. Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
16
How often does the public or members of the community you serve mistake your role and authority as similar to that of security?* This field is required.This question refers to the perceptions of the general public, community members, whose contact with you is general and not subject to your authority as a Peace Officer Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable Almost never: you have experienced the situation outlined, but very irregularly and on very few occasions while employed as a special constable (ex: once or twice in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Occasionally: you have experienced the situation outlined at irregular or infrequent intervals (ex: from time to time in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Often: you have experienced the situation outlined frequently, or many times (ex: once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Regularly: you have experienced the situation outlined with a constant or definite pattern of high frequency (ex: more than once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
17
How often does a person you're interacting with, while in the execution of your duties, mistake you for a Police Officer?* This field is required.*This question refers to those interactions with suspects, witnesses, arrested persons, or anyone that is legally subject to your authority as a Peace Officer Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable Almost never: you have experienced the situation outlined, but very irregularly and on very few occasions while employed as a special constable (ex: once or twice in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Occasionally: you have experienced the situation outlined at irregular or infrequent intervals (ex: from time to time in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Often: you have experienced the situation outlined frequently, or many times (ex: once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Regularly: you have experienced the situation outlined with a constant or definite pattern of high frequency (ex: more than once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
18
How often does the public or members of the community you serve mistake you for a Police Officer?* This field is required.This question refers to the perceptions of the general public, community members, whose contact with you is general and not subject to your authority as a Peace Officer Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
19
Please read the following definition and qualifying statements carefully to ensure every participant answers each question with the same understanding and context.

For the purposes of the questions in the following sections:

Conducted energy weapons:

CEW(s) means: conducted energy weapon(s), also known as a “Taser”.

CEW refers to a use of force tool that is:

a handheld device

projects electrically charged probes (or similar, depending on manufacturer and model), which attach to, or embed in the target

delivers electrical impulses causing involuntary muscular contractions and temporary immobilization.

an intermediate weapon, classified as such by Canadian police leadership and Canadian police oversight bodies

*It is assumed to be a tool issued by an employer, and be in keeping with approved industry safety and design standards.

The most appropriate tool means:

in situations where the officer's perception of a subjects behaviour is considered assaultive on the use of force continuum (the accepted and standard use of force model by all Ontario Police Services)

Appropriate use of the CEW means:

you are in the lawful execution of your duties as a Special Constable; and

performing the roles and functions set out in your appointment as a Special Constable; and

a subject is assaultive (actively or imminently about to assault you or someone else); or

a subjecy is imminently about to seriously injure or kill themselves; or

a subject has spontaneously demonstrated a weapon and you need to create time and distance to ensure the preservation of life (yours and others)

Injury means: refers to an injury that is more than trivial in nature. The intent of the questions related to injuries is to capture injuries caused by a subject or that were the result of a lawful use of force incident, that:

Impacts the special constable’s ability to perform regular work duties, and/or

Requires medical attention, and/or

Negatively impacts the special constable’s ability to perform their usual tasks, functions or activities in their personal lives and relationships (including parenting, exercising, sleeping etc), and/or

Causes the special constable to experience an operation stress injury, defined by CMHA Ontario as “any persistent psychological difficulty resulting from operational duties such as law enforcement, combat or any other service related duties,”

CMHA definition of operational stress injury
20
In situations where force is required while in the execution of your duties and in keeping with your appointment as a special constable, how often do you feel your current use of force equipment is adequate when exercising force, regarding YOUR safety?* This field is required.Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable Almost never: you have experienced the situation outlined, but very irregularly and on very few occasions while employed as a special constable (ex: once or twice in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)Occasionally: you have experienced the situation outlined at irregular or infrequent intervals (ex: from time to time in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Often: you have experienced the situation outlined frequently, or many times (ex: once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Regularly: you have experienced the situation outlined with a constant or definite pattern of high frequency (ex: more than once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
21
In situations where force is required while in the execution of your duties and in keeping with your appointment as a special constable, how often do you feel your current use of force equipment is adequate when exercising force, regarding the SUBJECT's safety* This field is required.Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable Almost never: you have experienced the situation outlined, but very irregularly and on very few occasions while employed as a special constable (ex: once or twice in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)Occasionally: you have experienced the situation outlined at irregular or infrequent intervals (ex: from time to time in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Often: you have experienced the situation outlined frequently, or many times (ex: once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Regularly: you have experienced the situation outlined with a constant or definite pattern of high frequency (ex: more than once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
22
In your experience, how often would a conducted energy weapon have been the most appropriate use of force tool to deescalate and/or resolve a situation where the force is lawful, authorized and required* This field is required.Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable Almost never: you have experienced the situation outlined, but very irregularly and on very few occasions while employed as a special constable (ex: once or twice in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)Occasionally: you have experienced the situation outlined at irregular or infrequent intervals (ex: from time to time in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Often: you have experienced the situation outlined frequently, or many times (ex: once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Regularly: you have experienced the situation outlined with a constant or definite pattern of high frequency (ex: more than once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
23
Have you experienced injury as a result of a use of force incident and when a CEW would have been an appropriate use of force tool to deescalate and resolve the situation, preventing the injury?* This field is required.
yes
no
24
Have any of your Special Constable colleagues experienced injury as a result of a use of force incident and when a CEW would have been an appropriate use of force tool to deescalate and resolve the situation, preventing the injury?* This field is required.
yes
no
don't know
25
In your experience, in situations when a subject was injured (as defined below) how often would the subject’s injuries have likely been prevented if you had have been able to demonstrate or deploy a CEW?* This field is required.Injury: an injury that is more than trifling in nature, that takes time and/or medical attention to heal or that negatively impacts a person's mental well-being or the ability to perform their usual tasks, functions or activities in their personal lives and relationships (including working, parenting, exercising, sleeping Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
26
In your experience, how often would a CEW be effective at deescalating a situation that would otherwise require the use of your pepper spray, baton and/or a physical altercation?* This field is required.Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable Almost never: you have experienced the situation outlined, but very irregularly and on very few occasions while employed as a special constable (ex: once or twice in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)Occasionally: you have experienced the situation outlined at irregular or infrequent intervals (ex: from time to time in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Often: you have experienced the situation outlined frequently, or many times (ex: once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Regularly: you have experienced the situation outlined with a constant or definite pattern of high frequency (ex: more than once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
27
In your experience, how often would a CEW be effective at deescalating a situation that would otherwise require the use of your pepper spray, baton and/or a physical altercation?* This field is required.Never happened: you’ve never experienced the situation outlined while employed as a special constable Almost never: you have experienced the situation outlined, but very irregularly and on very few occasions while employed as a special constable (ex: once or twice in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)Occasionally: you have experienced the situation outlined at irregular or infrequent intervals (ex: from time to time in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Often: you have experienced the situation outlined frequently, or many times (ex: once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable) Regularly: you have experienced the situation outlined with a constant or definite pattern of high frequency (ex: more than once a month, on average, in a one-year period of employment as a special constable)
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
28
What do you think would be the impact of an Ontario-wide, standard, regulated Special Constable uniform on improving subject compliance* This field is required.
no impact
moderate negative impact
strong negative impact
moderate positive impact
strong positive impact
29
What do you think would be the impact of an Ontario-wide, standard, regulated Special Constable uniform on public trust and confidence* This field is required.
no impact
moderate negative impact
strong negative impact
moderate positive impact
strong positive impact
30
In your experience, does the colour of a uniform shirt impact officer safety?* This field is required.Please describe
31
In your opinion and experience, what uniform shirt colour offers the highest degree of officer safety?* This field is required.Please describe
32
If provided adequate, industry standard training, how confident are you that you could safely operate a patrol vehicle equipped with roof lamps and sirens?* This field is required.The previously stated definition of roof lamps applies to this question
33
How often do you experience a situation that would be made safer for you or a fellow special constable if you were permitted to travel with and/or use red and blue roof lamps and sirens?* This field is required.The previously stated definition of roof lamps applies to this question
never
almost never
occasionally
often
regularly
34
Describe how operating patrol vehicles equipped with red and blue roof lamps and sirens, and the lawful authority to use such equipment under the Highway Traffic Act, 1990 would impact officer safety* This field is required.The previously stated definition of roof lamps applies to this question
35
Describe how operating patrol vehicles equipped with red and blue roof lamps and sirens, and the lawful authority to use such equipment under the Highway Traffic Act, 1990 impact public/community safety* This field is required.The previously stated definition of roof lamps applies to this question
36
Given your appointment as a Peace Officer, with the authority to impact the rights and freedoms of citizens and to use force when necessary, in the execution of your duties, please describe your thoughts on how civilian oversight or a consolidated oversight body would impact the legitimacy of the roles of Special Constables and law enforcement professionals, and the public's trust and confidence in our roles as Special Constables and law enforcement professionals * This field is required.
37
Name* This field is required.Your name is for validation purposes only, to verify that you are a Special Constable in Ontario. Your name will not be published, shared, or included in the findings and report.
First Name
Last Name
38
Warrant Card* This field is required.***Your survey submission cannot be validated without this stepPlease upload a photo of your warrant card. This is for validation purposes only, to verify that you are a Special Constable in Ontario. The photo will not be published, shared, or included in the findings and report. Upon verification by the OSCA, the photo will be immediately deleted from this survey.
Drag and drop files here
Select files to upload
Max. file size: 10.6MB
Cancelof
Should be Empty:

TL; DR: WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Participant Instructions:

Intepretation of terms: