Police Service Act (PSA)
Peel Regional Police is made up of over 2,000 police officers and 800 civilian employees that work with the community to ensure our priority of community safety. We take great pride in serving our community and we are committed to transparency and maintaining community confidence when dealing with any possible officer misconduct. Our officers are governed by the Police Services Act (PSA). The Act defines the role of a police officer and outlines how they are expected to conduct themselves. Our officers are held to a high standard of conduct and officers can face formal discipline if they disobey the Act.
This means officers:
- Can face discipline when misconduct occurs.
- May be charged under the PSA.
- Must attend a disciplinary hearing, if charged.
Depending on the outcome of the OIPRD investigation, officers may have a disciplinary hearing and decision under the PSA.
If an officer is charged, the Chief of Police has the authority to suspend the officer with pay while the investigation takes place. Please note that Criminal Code convictions don't determine whether an officer's employment is terminated; it's the PSA process that has the potential to affect an officer's employment status.
How to Make a Complaint Against a Police Officer
- Fill out the complaints form from the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD).
- A complaint should be made within six months of the alleged wrongdoing.
- If it involves a claim of racial profiling, you can file an application under the Human Rights Code.
You can also visit any Peel Regional Police division to make a complaint in person, within six months of the alleged wrongdoing. It should be in writing and must be signed by the person directly affected. All complaints made about an officer or service goes to the OIPRD. They will review the complaint and decide how to proceed. The police service in question, another police service or the OIPRD themselves may investigate the complaint. The outcomes of all complaints are reviewed by the OIPRD. Following the investigation of a complaint, and if a hearing is ordered to take place, the hearing is aligned with the Rules for Part V Hearings under the Police Services Act (PSA).
You Can Make a Complaint If You:
- Are concerned or offended by something a police officer(s) said or did to you and were directly affected by the event.
- Were a witness to an event involving a police officer(s) that concerned or offended you.
- Are concerned or upset because of the way a relative or friend has been treated by a police officer(s) and you're:
- In a personal relationship with the person who is directly involved and who has suffered loss, damage, distress, danger or inconvenience
- A person who has knowledge of behavior, or you have an item or evidence, that proves or shows unacceptable work.
- Are acting on behalf of an individual. For example, a member of an organization who has been given written permission to make a complaint on another's behalf (this person is known as an agent).
- Have a complaint that a police service has not provided proper service.
- Have a complaint about a policy of a police service.
How Do I Find Out the Outcome of a Disciplinary Hearing?
Transparency and community trust are very important to our organization. It is imperative for us to allow the public a clearer understanding of the ongoing disciplinary hearings that take place. The results of these hearings need to be accessible to the public and therefore we publish the outcomes for a period of three months. View the table of results below
| Date | Officer | Charge | Hearing Officer | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 1, 2023 | Cst. Scott Hutchings #2863 |
1 Count Discreditable Conduct |
Superintendent Taufic Saliba | |
| February 15, 2023 | Cst. Roman Marchyshyn #3775 |
1 Count Discreditable Conduct |
Superintendent David Kennedy | |
| May 1, 2023 | Sgt. Paul Brown #1889 |
1 Count Discreditable Conduct |
Superintendent Peter Lennox (retired) |
| Officer | Charge | 1st Appearance Date | Location of 1st Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Constable Caroline Desmeiles #4505 |
1 count Unlawful or Unnecessary Exercise of Authority |
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 @ 10 a.m. |
7150 Mississauga Road, Mississauga (in person) |
|
Constable Scott Morse #3445 |
12 counts of Neglect of Duty |
Thursday, June 1, 2023 @ 10 a.m. |
7150 Mississauga Road, Mississauga (in person) |
| Constable Julie Dwyer #2581 | 1 count Discreditable Conduct | Tuesday, June 6, 2023 @ 10 a.m. | 7150 Mississauga Road, Mississauga
(in person) |
PUBLIC AND MEDIA - The Hearing Room at Peel Regional Police remains open to the public and the media on a first come first served basis. Our hearing room is limited to seating in order to be compliant with COVID-19 regulations. You will also be required to wear a mask and be screened prior to entry.
However, the following should not attend a hearing:
- - those who experience COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever, difficulty breathing), or
- - who have been advised to self-isolate, or
- - who have travelled from an area under a travel health advisory in the past 14 days, or
- - fall into any other category that may be set out on the Ministry of Health website at: Ontario.ca/coronavirus
This information will be updated regularly as more guidance on this public health issue becomes available.
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