Peel Police Brings Together Law Enforcement and Business Leaders to Combat Organized Retail Crime, Announce Expansion of BEAR Unit
Region of Peel – Peel Regional Police is hosting the Retail Organized Crime Conference bringing together law enforcement agencies, retail industry leaders, and public safety partners from across Ontario to strengthen collaboration and advance efforts to combat organized retail crime.
By fostering cross-sector and multi-jurisdictional collaboration, the conference, taking place on Oct. 6 and 7 in Mississauga, will feature panel discussions, keynote speakers, and technology partners to advance practical solutions and support coordinated responses to this growing and evolving threat.
Expansion of the BEAR Unit in 2027
The conference comes as Peel Regional Police continues to build on the success of its Break and Enter, Auto and Retail (BEAR) Unit, a specialized enforcement team designed to combat organized property crime and retail theft.
Originally launched as a pilot in September 2025 in Mississauga to address break-and-enters and auto theft, the unit evolved after investigators identified a growing need for a dedicated response to organized retail crime.
Since spring 2026, the BEAR Unit has made 53 arrests, laid 263 charges and recovered more than $1 million in stolen property related to retail theft. This demonstrates the impact of a dedicated, intelligence-led approach to combating organized retail theft. Building on this success, Peel Regional Police is planning to expand the unit across all divisions in 2027, extending the BEAR model throughout both Mississauga and Brampton.
Partnering with Retail Council of Canada’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force
Peel Regional Police has worked closely with the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) on coordinated efforts to combat retail theft across the region, including participating in the national Retail Blitz program. Partnering with the RCC's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, Peel Regional Police have arrested 63 individuals, laid 158 charges and recovered more than $29,000 in stolen property so far in 2026.
Peel Regional Police remains committed to working alongside the RCC and retail partners to prevent victimization, disrupt organized retail crime networks and enhance community safety across Peel Region.
QUICK FACTS
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Since spring 2026, the BEAR Unit has made 53 arrests, laid 263 charges and recovered more than $1 million in stolen property related to retail theft
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Peel Regional Police plans to expand the BEAR Unit across all divisions in 2027, extending the model throughout both Mississauga and Brampton
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In partnership with the RCC Retail Blitz program, Peel Regional Police have arrested 63 individuals, laid 158 charges and recovered more than $29,000 in stolen property so far in 2026.
QUOTES
“Organized retail crime is a growing threat that impacts businesses and consumers while generating significant profits that further fund criminal activities. The evolution of the BEAR Unit reflects our commitment to listening to our communities and adapting our enforcement efforts to address having the greatest impact on our communities. As we expand this team across Brampton and Mississauga, we remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement and industry partners to keep our communities safe.”
- Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, Peel Regional Police
“Organized retail crime is not petty theft, it is organized crime, and we are going after the criminals behind it. By bringing police and retailers together and expanding specialized teams like Peel’s BEAR Unit, we are disrupting criminal networks, recovering stolen property and protecting workers, customers and businesses. Our government will continue to back our policing partners with the tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe and criminals off our streets.”
- Hon. Michael S. Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario
“The Retail Council of Canada is incredibly grateful to Peel Regional Police for their unwavering support of the retail sector and their proactive commitment to keeping our community safe. Organized retail crime places an immense strain on businesses and compromises the safety of retail employees, which is why a coordinated response is so vital. Peel Police’s dedicated efforts—both through the highly successful BEAR Unit and our shared work on the national Retail Blitz program—demonstrate the true power of law enforcement and industry collaboration. We thank Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, and the entire service for their outstanding work and partnership, and we look forward to continuing this vital collaboration as the BEAR model expands.”
- Rui Rodrigues, Executive Advisor, Loss Prevention & Risk Management, Retail Council of Canada
“Organized retail crime is increasingly cross-jurisdictional and requires a coordinated response. Ontario’s police leaders support a province-wide approach that strengthens lawful intelligence-sharing, improves coordination between police and retail partners, and supports effective investigation and prosecution of organized criminal networks. The OACP looks forward to working with all our police services, the Retail Council of Canada and other retail and government partners to advance these priorities.”
- Paul Pedersen, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
SOCIAL MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT
Media Relations Officer
Email: media.relations@peelpolice.ca
Phone: 905-453-2121, ext. 4027
Peel Regional Police - A Safer Community Together
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