OACP Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Police Services Act

Ontario's main policing statute; it establishes police services boards, chiefs, officers, discipline, and oversight bodies.

Duties of police officer

Under the Police Services Act, officers must preserve the peace, prevent offences, assist victims, apprehend offenders, and enforce the law.

SIU mandate

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit independently investigates police incidents involving death, serious injury, or sexual assault, and firearm discharges at people.

OIPRD role

Ontario's Office of the Independent Police Review Director receives, manages, and reviews public complaints about municipal and provincial police conduct.

Police services board

A civilian body that governs a municipal police service; it sets policies, appoints the chief, and ensures adequate and effective policing.

Chief of police

The senior officer responsible for managing the police service, implementing board policies, and maintaining discipline and professional standards.

Code of Conduct

Ontario regulation under the Police Services Act listing misconduct, including discreditable conduct, insubordination, neglect of duty, and breach of confidence.

Adequate and effective policing

Police services must include crime prevention, law enforcement, victim assistance, public order maintenance, and emergency response, as set out in Ontario law.

Section 495 arrest

Criminal Code power for a peace officer to arrest without warrant on reasonable grounds for indictable offences, found summary offences, or outstanding warrants.

Citizen's arrest

Criminal Code section 494 allows any person to arrest someone found committing an indictable offence or freshly pursued after a criminal offence.

Charter section 10

On arrest or detention, everyone must be informed promptly of the reasons, told of the right to counsel, and given access to a lawyer.

Mental Health Act apprehension

Ontario law lets police apprehend a person who appears to have a mental disorder and is acting dangerously, and take them for medical assessment.

Search incident to arrest

After a lawful arrest, police may search the person and immediate surroundings for weapons, evidence, and means of escape, using reasonable force.

Chain of custody

A documented record of who handled evidence, when, and why; it preserves integrity and admissibility from seizure through court.

Arrest caution

A statement informing a detained person of the right to remain silent and to speak with counsel before choosing to answer questions.

Vehicle stop authority

Ontario's Highway Traffic Act lets police stop vehicles, demand licence, insurance, and registration, and conduct sobriety tests when lawful.

Use-of-force continuum

A framework matching officer response to subject behaviour, from presence and communication to physical control, intermediate weapons, and lethal force.

Deadly force threshold

Lethal force may be used only when an officer reasonably believes there is a risk of death or grievous bodily harm to self or others.

Positional asphyxia

A risk when a person's breathing is restricted by body position or pressure; after prone restraint, place them in a recovery position and monitor breathing.

SIU notification

Police must notify Ontario's Special Investigations Unit after incidents involving death, serious injury, sexual assault, or a firearm discharged at a person.

SARA model

A community policing problem-solving process: Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment; it addresses recurring crime and safety problems.

CPTED principles

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design uses natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance to reduce crime opportunities.

Community policing

A partnership approach where police and residents identify and solve local safety problems through engagement, prevention, and shared responsibility.

Community Safety Plan

Ontario municipalities must develop community safety and well-being plans with local partners to address priority risks and improve resident safety.

Human Rights Code

Ontario law prohibiting discrimination and harassment in services, employment, and housing on enumerated grounds, including race, disability, and gender identity.

Duty to accommodate

Organizations, including police, must adjust rules or practices to meet a person's Code-protected needs unless it causes undue hardship.

Trauma-informed approach

Recognizing trauma's effects and responding with safety, choice, trustworthiness, collaboration, and empowerment during police interactions and investigations.

Gladue principles

Sentencing courts must consider an Indigenous offender's unique background, systemic factors, and restorative options when determining a fit sentence.

Active listening

A communication skill using attention, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, clarifying, and open questions to confirm understanding and build rapport.

De-escalation communication

Using calm tone, slow speech, non-threatening body language, empathy, and clear choices to reduce tension before force becomes necessary.

Ethical decision-making

Choosing actions consistent with law, policy, integrity, impartiality, and accountability; officers must avoid conflicts of interest and document decisions.

Objective report writing

Recording facts chronologically and accurately, distinguishing observations from opinions, and including all relevant details without bias or speculation.