OACP Exam key terms

Ontario's main policing statute, in force since 2024, which replaced most of the Police Services Act and sets rules for police services, boards, chiefs, oversight bodies, complaints and discipline.

Ontario's policing statute from 1990 that governed police services, boards, discipline and complaints until most of it was replaced by the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019.

A civilian board that oversees a municipal or regional police service. It sets policies, appoints the chief and approves budgets, but must not give directions on day-to-day operations or specific investigations.

The senior officer who commands a police service. The chief is responsible for its operations, administration, discipline and for ensuring members follow the law and board policies.

A person appointed under Ontario law with limited police powers for a defined role or area, such as court security or transit enforcement, rather than the full authority of a police officer.

An Ontario official under the Community Safety and Policing Act who monitors, inspects and audits police services and boards, issues directives and can require them to fix compliance problems.

Ontario's civilian complaints body, created under the Community Safety and Policing Act, which receives public complaints about police, oversees their investigation and can review how a chief handled a complaint.

Ontario's independent agency that investigates police incidents causing death or serious injury, allegations of sexual assault, and discharges of a firearm at a person.

A regulation under Ontario policing law that lists the behaviour expected of police officers, such as honesty, civility and proper use of authority; a breach can lead to discipline.

A police officer's failure to meet the standards in the Code of Conduct or the law, such as discreditable conduct, neglect of duty or improper use of authority, dealt with through the disciplinary process.

The section of a police service, and the practices it uses, to promote ethical conduct, manage risk, and receive, investigate and resolve complaints about members.

The obligation of a police officer to report known or suspected misconduct or serious wrongdoing by a colleague to the chief or professional standards rather than stay silent.

A belief based on objective facts, assessed on the whole of the circumstances, that a person has committed or is about to commit an offence; required for arrests, some searches and charges.

Detaining someone without lawful authority. Section 9 of the Charter guarantees freedom from arbitrary detention, so a brief investigative detention needs reasonable suspicion supported by specific facts.

A Charter right under section 10(b): a person who is arrested or detained must be told promptly of the right to a lawyer and given a reasonable chance to speak with one.

The Criminal Code power (section 495) that lets an officer arrest a person without a warrant when there are reasonable grounds to believe the person has committed or is about to commit an offence.

A warrantless search allowed after a lawful arrest, limited to what is reasonably related to the arrest, such as looking for weapons, evidence that could be destroyed, or means of escape.

A Criminal Code warrant (section 529.1) needed to enter a dwelling house to arrest someone, unless the person consents or urgent circumstances make entry necessary.

An Ontario Mental Health Act form completed by a physician stating that a person needs psychiatric examination because of risk of serious harm or deterioration; police may apprehend the person named.

The Criminal Code (section 25) authority for police to use only as much force as is reasonable and necessary, in the circumstances, to carry out a lawful duty.

A model in which the officer assesses the situation, subject behaviour and risk, then selects a proportionate response ranging from presence and communication to physical control, intermediate weapons or lethal force.

Actions such as calm communication, slowing down, creating distance and calling for support that reduce the intensity of an encounter so force can be avoided or minimized.

A category of police response, such as officer presence, verbal direction, physical control, an intermediate weapon or a firearm, chosen according to the risk the officer faces.

A style of policing where officers work with residents, businesses and agencies to identify and solve local safety problems, sharing responsibility and building trust.

An approach that looks past individual calls to the causes behind repeat problems, using the SARA steps of scanning, analysis, response and assessment.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: shaping and maintaining places so that visibility, lighting and use make crime harder and residents feel more ownership of the space.

The principle that people judge police by how they are treated: officers who listen, explain decisions, stay neutral and show respect are more likely to be seen as legitimate.

Making policing decisions based on stereotypes about race, ethnicity, religion or neighbourhood rather than on evidence and behaviour; it is prohibited and damages public trust.

Awareness of your own assumptions plus the knowledge and skills to work respectfully with people of different backgrounds, adapting language and approach as needed.

Responding to people with awareness that past trauma affects behaviour, and prioritizing safety, choice, trustworthiness and respect so the encounter does not cause further harm.

An approach that focuses on repairing harm through dialogue between the person responsible, the person harmed and the community, often used alongside or instead of court.

A coordinated response to someone in acute mental health or emotional distress that aims to calm the situation, reduce risk and connect the person to appropriate care.

Giving full attention to a speaker and showing understanding by paraphrasing and summarizing what was said, which builds rapport and helps confirm facts.

A question that invites a full answer rather than a yes or no, such as 'tell me what happened', used to gather information and encourage a person to talk.

The lawful judgment an officer uses to choose among reasonable options, such as warning, ticketing or arresting, guided by law, policy and the public interest.

A situation where an officer's personal relationship, financial interest or bias could improperly affect their duties; it must be disclosed and avoided.

A structured way of choosing what to do by weighing legal authority, policy, professional values, consequences and duties to the public, and being able to explain the choice.