Our Work 2023 banner

Year In Review

Our Community

Our People

Our Work

By The Numbers

Year In Review

Our Community

Our People

Our Work

By The Numbers

2023

Our Work

Police officer on laptop

Technology and Advancements

Peel Regional Police has significantly enhanced public safety and roadside enforcement capabilities with the implementation of Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) readers. This sophisticated technology employs high-speed cameras and specialized software to capture and identify license plates instantly. The ALPR system's primary function is to swiftly determine if a vehicle's license plate is on a 'hotlist', thereby eliminating the need for manual data entry by officers. Licence plates that find their way onto a hotlist are usually associated with various forms of vehicular non-compliance or criminal activity. This includes vehicles driven by suspended drivers, reported stolen or missing, expired permits and those linked to individuals with outstanding warrants.

These hotlists are accurately compiled, drawing from both internal sources and external collaborations with other police services, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and other relevant institutions. The ALPR system proves particularly invaluable in situations like Amber Alerts, where timely location of vehicles can lead to the swift recovery of vulnerable individuals.

In a substantial upgrade to frontline operations, Peel Regional Police equipped approximately 350 patrol vehicles with ALPR systems. These vehicles were outfitted with in-car cameras, which serve a dual purpose: recording the interior of the vehicle when a suspect is detained, and capturing footage of traffic stops as needed. In terms of data management, the ALPR system adheres to strict privacy protocols. License plate data that does not yield a 'hit' on the hotlist is securely deleted after 24 hours, while data associated with plates of interest is retained for a 30-day period, ensuring a balance between investigative efficiency and privacy concerns.

This integration of ALPR technology reflects Peel Regional Police's commitment to leveraging advanced tools to augment law enforcement effectiveness and community safety.

 

 

To enhance the safety for officers and the community, Peel Regional Police successfully deployed the PremierOne® Computer-Aided Dispatch (P1 CAD) software. This strategic deployment, which began in 2022, has helped to develop real-time connectivity between dispatchers and field personnel. The P1 CAD system plays an important role in facilitating improved collaboration among agencies through the efficient sharing of time-sensitive and critical information.

This technological advancement not only marks a significant departure from previously fragmented dispatch systems, but also represents a unified, efficient approach for Peel Regional Police officers and emergency response teams. The P1 CAD transformation aligns with Peel Regional Police's mission to be one of North America's most progressive, innovative and inclusive police services. The deployment and continued success of the P1 CAD system is seen as the first step in fulfilling the vision of Peel Regional Police, demonstrating commitment to advancing our technology platform for the safety of our community and officers​​.

This initiative is a testament to Peel Regional Police's ongoing efforts to adopt advanced technologies and strategies, ensuring the safety and well-being of our rapidly growing community. The integration of the P1 CAD system is a significant milestone in the journey towards becoming a leading, tech-forward law enforcement service in Canada. 

In response to the significant population growth in Peel Region over the last decade, Peel Regional Police initiated the construction of the new Operational Support Facility (OSF) located at 8100 Mississauga Road in Mississauga. The new OSF is an integral part of the region's future policing infrastructure. This project aligns with the anticipation of continued rapid population expansion in our region. The OSF is designed to support service delivery for all residents and the community's ongoing growth.

The OSF, a five-story building spanning 250,000 square feet, is set to house over 700 Peel Regional Police members. It will feature a range of critical operations, including the 9-1-1 Communications Centre, Community Safety Operations Centre, Data Analytics, Information Technology Services, Records Services, Road Safety Services and the Community Safety and Well-Being Bureau. This state-of-the-art facility will replace the current outdated infrastructure at 7750 Hurontario Street, a building now at the end of its life cycle.

Designed with a focus on ultra-modern and sustainable architecture, the OSF aims to become a technological and innovative flagship within Peel Region. Groundwork commenced in November 2023, and the building's construction scheduled to begin in early 2024. It is anticipated to open between late 2027 and early 2028.

The OSF is not only a physical structure; it represents a shift towards a more community-engaged approach to policing. By fostering relationships with community members and involving them in public safety initiatives, Peel Regional Police is strengthening our presence and trust within the community we serve. This modernization of policing facilities, supported by technological advancements, is a testament to our service’s commitment to community safety and well-being​​​​.

“We are excited to announce this landmark investment to maintain public safety across our growing region. This facility will help address current and future service pressures and meet the needs of our community.”

~Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police

In 2023, Peel Regional Police embraced technological innovation, significantly enhancing our service capabilities and community engagement. A notable development is the introduction of ServiceNow, a sophisticated tracking tool integrated within our Information Technology Services (ITS). This tool is designed to augment the efficiency and effectiveness of servicing our members. Complementing the existing Track-It system, ServiceNow offers an advanced approach to managing assistance calls and tracking incident tickets. This strategic implementation is a key component of Peel Regional Police's broader initiative aimed at streamlining internal ITS processes and improving resolution methods. This advancement underscores our commitment to leveraging technology for better service delivery and operational efficiency. 

Embrace Change Together banner

Human Rights Project

In a momentous presentation, Peel Regional Police unveiled our inaugural Human Rights Project in partnership with the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. The report included an analysis of race and identity-based data and a comprehensive analysis of our use of force data. This report, a testament to Peel Regional Police's commitment to human rights and ethical policing, was presented at a Peel Police Service Board meeting.

Report Highlights:

  • Over 25,000 hours of human rights-focused officer training completed
  • 16% fewer officers involved in use of force incidents in comparison to 2020
  • 19% decrease in all use of force reports when compared to 2020
  • 48% decrease in all types of use of force since the implementation of the Human Rights Project
  • 96% of all use of force incidents involved the use of de-escalation techniques

“While the overall reduction in use of force year-over-year is positive, we are focused on exploring other factors causing the over-representation of certain populations…In collaboration with the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee (ARAC), we are committed to creating a Disparity Reduction and Well-Being Plan as a step in our overall multi-year action plan.”

~Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police

Peel Regional Police, in collaboration with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Peel Police Service Board, has made significant strides in addressing systemic racism and discrimination. Initiated in 2020, this effort focuses on developing and implementing strategies to dismantle systemic discrimination within policing.

The process involved extensive community consultations to formulate recommendations aimed at systemic changes. These recommendations, including a range of initiatives such as acknowledging racial discrimination and enhancing accountability, have been reviewed by Peel Regional Police’s Anti-Racism Advisory Committee (ARAC) for impact assessment.

Key components of the project included increased organizational accountability, expansion of civilian-led mental health services and a detailed multi-year action plan. Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate supported Peel Regional Police’s commitment to this transformative approach and involved ongoing collaboration with the OHRC.

This Project reflects a shared dedication to enhance trust and accountability in policing. The ARAC played a vital role in shaping these efforts, emphasizing the complexity and necessity of addressing systemic racism for societal change.

 

 

Peel Regional Police has begun an initiative to enhance its Race and Identity-Based Data (RIBD) Strategy as part of its Human Rights Project. This strategy focuses on establishing evidence-based processes for collecting and sharing race and identity-based data, a critical component in understanding and addressing our community's diverse needs. Frontline members play a vital role in this data collection process, which is essential in enhancing the training of our members and implementing policies to improve service delivery.

Initiated in response to a 2017 mandate from the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the strategy involved analyzing race and identity-based information to foster trust, transparency and accountability within the community. To develop best practices in this initiative, Peel Regional Police collaborated with various partners, including the Toronto Police Service (TPS), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), alongside academic experts. This collaboration aims to create an internal PRP Strategy and an external framework to support police services across Ontario in race and identity-based data collection and reporting.

This strategy is part of a broader effort by Peel Regional Police, in partnership with the OHRC, to address systemic racism and discrimination within our police service. Since 2020, Peel Regional Police has been actively developing and implementing strategies to tackle systemic racism in policing, with recommendations based on community feedback and best practices for dismantling systemic discrimination. The enhancement of the strategy highlights Peel Regional Police's commitment to meeting the needs of the diverse Peel community.

To enhance community engagement, the Peel Police Service Board's (PSB) Governance and Human Rights (GHR) committee initiated a series of community consultations focused on police governance and human rights. These sessions started with an open session in fall 2023 at the Region of Peel Council Chambers, which represented a combined effort to involve stakeholders and the broader community in crucial discussions about policing and human rights.

The GHR committee, emphasizing the importance of public consultation, believes that these discussions are essential in building trust and legitimacy within the community concerning police governance. The consultations aimed to explore various themes related to police governance and human rights and were a platform for initiating inclusive discussions and sharing a collective vision.

Key issues such as systemic racism, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism and promoting fairness and equity in policing were addressed.

Committed to transparency and accessibility, the GHR committee arranged for these sessions to be hosted in the evenings and live-streamed on their website, with recordings archived for broader accessibility and outreach. This initiative reflects the PSB's dedication to align governance and policies with the values and needs of the community we serve.

Service dog

Advancing Our Skills

In a ground breaking initiative, Peel Regional Police has launched a specialized Anti-Human Trafficking Detection Training Course. This course represents a significant milestone as we become the first service in Canada to mandate such comprehensive training for all frontline and investigative officers. The training is methodically designed to equip officers with the necessary knowledge and tools to detect signs of human trafficking within our community while responding to regular service calls.

This survivor-led training program is structured to be rolled out in phases, and will be extended to include our entire police service, reinforcing Peel Regional Police's commitment to combating human trafficking across all sectors.

This proactive approach not only enhances the capacity of our officers to respond to human trafficking incidents, but also emphasizes our services' dedication to safeguarding our community. By integrating this training into the regular curriculum, Peel Regional Police is setting a precedent in law enforcement training, demonstrating vigilance and commitment in the fight against human trafficking in Canada. 

Peel Regional Police proudly introduced Harley, the first Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) canine in Canada, a significant addition to our Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE). Harley, a two-year-old female yellow Labrador Retriever, is trained to detect digital storage devices through scent. She and her handler graduated from the ESD canine course in Indianapolis, Indiana, and have already demonstrated success in search warrants, locating devices critical to investigations.

Harley was obtained with the help of the charity Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), which supports law enforcement in combating online child exploitation and human trafficking. Beyond her primary role in search warrants, Harley also serves as an emotional support dog for victims and members, showcasing her friendly and approachable nature.

Harley's induction marks a significant advancement in Peel Regional Police's capabilities, enhancing their effectiveness in locating crucial evidence and rescuing child victims. Her deployment is carefully managed to ensure judicial authorization and proper use in investigations. Harley, an example of innovation and compassion, is a symbol of our commitment to utilizing cutting-edge techniques and humane approaches in law enforcement services.

Peel Regional Police celebrated the induction of three new Police Service Dogs (PSDs) into their ranks. The ceremony, held at the Canine Unit Agility Field, was attended by Emergency Support Services (ESS) Senior Management, along with friends, family and current canine members.

The new members include PSD Snape, a two-year-old Dutch Shepherd from Poland, handled by an experienced member of the Canine Unit; PSD Bresken, a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd from Poland, paired with a newly appointed handler; and PSD Juno, a two-year-old German Shepherd from Ontario, handled by another successful candidate from the 2023 selection process. These dogs, now official badge-carrying members of our service, are set to patrol the streets of Peel Region, embodying bravery and commitment to the community's safety.

Peel Regional Police initiated an innovative strategy and ongoing training of frontline and sworn members to improve services for the autistic community in Peel Region, marking a first in Canadian law enforcement. This approach was developed in collaboration with key organizations including Autism Ontario and Community Living Mississauga and demonstrates our commitment to inclusive, community-responsive policing.

We recognize the importance of deepening police understanding and engagement with the autistic community. For Peel Regional Police, this understanding was developed by establishing ongoing training starting with a specific training course on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for sworn members. The training outlined indicators commonly associated to an individual with Autism, as well as strategies and recommendations that may help first responders adapt or modify their approach to better support an individual with ASD in an emergency situation.

By applying evidence-based best practices, grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis that relate to ASD, our frontline is better able to respond to community members in a way that is aligned with Peel Regional Police's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, while ensuring service delivery is inclusive.

This training, along with Peel Regional Police's innovative strategic approach, reflects a significant step in serving the community with empathy through customized strategies, serving as a model for law enforcement services nationwide in adapting to diverse community needs. 

Chief Nishan Duraiappah and Premiere Doug Ford at press conference outside

Funding Partnerships

Funding Partnership Grants Greater than $25,000

Total (Millions)

Court Security and Prisoner Transportation (CSPT)1

$9.35

Community Safety and Policing - Local and Provincial Priorities1

$7.85

Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR)1

$6.29

Next Generation 9-1-11

$2.00

Gang Response Strategy1

$0.50

Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet1

$0.34

Crisis Outreach & Support Team (COAST)2

$0.31

Firearms Grant3

$0.24

Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-Led Joint Forces Strategy1

$0.22

Youth in Policing Initiative4

$0.14

Victim Support Grant1

$0.13

Proceeds of Crime Law Enforcement1

$0.09

Race and Identity Based Data Collection Strategy5

$0.08

Victims Fund - Human Trafficking6

$0.07

Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Grant1

$0.07

Ontario's Strategy to End Human Trafficking1

$0.05

Guns and Gangs – Gang Related Intervention Team1

$0.05

Drug Impaired Driving Detection Training and Enforcement7

$0.04

Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Enhancement Grant1

$0.03

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)2

$0.03

Total

$27.87

Grant/Funding Origin

1. Ministry of the Solicitor General 2. Canadian Mental Health Association 3. Chief Firearms Office for Ontario 4. Minister of Children, Community and Social Services 5. Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism 6. Department of Justice 7. Public Safety Division and Public Safety Training Division of the Ministry of the Solicitor General

Performance Indicators

Co-lead the Community Safety and Well-Being System Leadership Table to improve collaboration and information sharing with community partners, and create opportunities for additional partnerships and shared services agreements.

3.1.1 Peel Regional Police Chief continued his position as the co-chair of the Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) System Leadership Table with the Commissioner of Health Services from the Region of Peel. The CSWB plan was approved by Peel Regional Council in October 2020. The System Leadership Table continued to meet approximately three times per year to provide overall support and governance of the Peel CSWB plan. 

 

3.1.2 Peel Regional Police currently has over 170 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to outline roles and responsibilities with partnering agencies. These documents range from secondment and sponsorship agreements to grants and contracts.

 

3.1.3 Shared services and technologies projects include:

  • Peel Regional Police and VCOM (voice communication system) actively sought new members to join VCOM and the Public Safety Broadband Network. Peel Regional Police is working closely with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) on a potential partnership agreement.
  • Upgraded the Niche Records Management System to interface with the Coroners' office for automated reporting of all sudden death reports. 

 

3.1.4 Completed 15 Joint Force Operations to help combat criminal operations.

Develop and implement initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and in the community.

3.2.1 A number of actions were taken throughout the year to strengthen how the service operates as a progressive and inclusive public safety organization. This included a robust consultation process with our South Asian communities to inform the development of a culturally responsive service delivery framework that will be rolled out in 2024. A total of 119 consultations were held during the initial phase of the initiative. Another key initiative was the formation of a Countering Hate Committee, comprised of over 20 community partners that support the development of a community-based training curriculum to create awareness of hate crime and the importance of reporting.  

 

3.2.2 Implementation of action items outlined in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy continued throughout 2023 and included the onboarding of an additional Internal Support Network, bringing the total to eight. The Chief’s Resource Council solidified a refreshed mandate and hosted meetings with 10 sub-councils as well as two meetings of all sub-council members to provide community feedback and draw attention to important community issues.

The Race Against Racism campaign was relaunched to support diversity scholarships for 10 Region of Peel youth and the Faces of Peel campaign continued to be implemented to boost recruitment of under-represented groups. A working committee was established to shape the development of an updated internal EDI strategy that will be completed in 2024.

 

3.2.3 Created and implemented a multi-year Human Rights action plan with initiatives geared toward achieving short and long-term positive outcomes for the community through the advancement of the seven principles, including:

  • Mandated human rights-focused training, including interactions with children
  • Developed a Race and Identity-Based Data collection framework to understand how to address racial disparities
  • Continued reporting and expansion of our Race and Identity-Based Data in use of force
  • Published an annual Human Rights Project and Use of Force Report, including the multi-year action plan

 

3.2.4 Continued the ongoing integration of human rights focus, Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) and bias-free policing elements into training. All employees were required to complete the ‘Trauma Informed Approach and Implicit Bias' training module. An in-depth review of recruit and Probationary Constable training occurred to ensure the knowledge and practical skills related to this training were being integrated. This will extend into field training phases and Divisional operational deployments. Introduced Indigenous Cultural Awareness workshops that will continue into 2024.

Conduct business practices ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability for effective service delivery.

3.3.1 Renewed long-standing funding partnerships with all levels of government resulting in Peel Regional Police receiving $27.87 million in funding to support community safety.

 

3.3.2 The 2024 Budget was approved by the Peel Police Service Board (PPSB) and Peel Regional Council and includes approval for hiring an additional 135 officers, 10 cadets and 96 civilians in 2024.

 

3.3.3 The 2024 Ten-Year Capital Plan was developed and approved by the Peel Police Service Board in October 2023.

Implement accountability and transparency initiatives to foster public trust and confidence. 

3.4.1 As of December 31, 2023 there were 340 directives to ensure compliance with the Ontario Policing Standards and applicable legislation. Directives are reviewed on a regular basis.

 

3.4.2 Residential and business community surveys were conducted in 2023 to measure community trust and confidence in police. While results were down slightly from 2020, the majority of residents (67 per cent) and business owners/managers (57 per cent) believe Peel Regional Police is doing a good or excellent job. Over two-thirds of both residents and business owners/managers are satisfied or very satisfied with their personal safety from crime. Over 90 per cent of residents would help police if asked, and 80 per cent generally support police actions.

 

3.4.3 Awarded Silver Level Certification by Excellence Canada in the Healthy Workplace Standard category. The pathway to certification involved meeting and exceeding rigorous standards in the areas of leadership, planning and programs, people engagement and process and risk management. Best practices were identified, along with opportunities for continued improvement.

 

3.4.4 The Corporate Strategy Bureau continued work towards a Data and Analytics strategy and implementation plan. Progress was made toward selecting a consulting firm to assist in developing policies and dashboards to provide information to the public. Our Crime Occurrence Mapping Portal continued to provide data for the last 12 months, with search options and additional map layers. Basic crime statistics continue to be available through: www.PeelPolice.ca/CrimeMap.

 

3.4.5 Reviewed and evaluated our previous process for disclosure preparation and sharing. Created process improvements to court disclosure of Body Worn Camera (BWC) videos and the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) disclosure, which included a standardized redaction process for all DEMS evidence. This resulted in a significant decrease in the DEMS queue (from approximately 15,000 to 1,000).

 

3.4.6 Published 10 Police Services Act decisions on our external website.

 

3.4.7 The Peel Police Service Board received quarterly reports on public complaints. In 2023, the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) received 89 public complaints about Peel Regional Police and concluded 90 reviews.

Identify and implement innovative processes, combining technology and risk mitigation to ensure service excellence to the community and within the organization.

3.5.1 Mitigated risk by completing and reporting two operational audits and four comprehensive audits to the Chief Management Group (CMG). 

 

3.5.2 An Innovation and Technology Strategy was created for implementing and supporting technology, which included:

  • Signed agreement with the City of Mississauga to access their CCTV camera feeds in the Community Safety Operations Centre (CSOC)
  • Completed the design for a new centre and co-location with an Emergency Operations Centre at the Operations Support Facility 
  • Completed and launched the new Communications Backup Centre, an improvement from a space, technology and process standard
  • Implemented the auto attendant switchboard, which has successfully resulted in financial savings and reduced call volume
  • Continued to embrace technologies to enable remote court testimony and document submission
  • Deployment of video conferencing technologies to all divisional parade rooms to improve communication from Chief Management Group (CMG) to frontline members
  • Leveraging video conferencing platform for the delivery of eParades, including shared electronic collaboration channels for sharing video and pictures tied to occurrences (e.g. missing persons, etc.), group texting and messaging and group video calling and video meetings 
  • Deployed Peer OnCall mobile app to support members’ wellness

 

3.5.3 Continued to implement initiatives based on the Service Delivery Review, which included:

  • Completed an Information Technology (IT) organizational structure review with an external consultant to plan staffing and financial resources 
  • Completed an IT salary study with an external consultant to review outlying issues that are impacting recruitment 
  • Continued work with the IT morale committee to improve working conditions, create internal development opportunities and promote internal promotion and lateral movement

Identify and engage in sustainable environmental practices.

3.6.1 In 2023, Peel Regional Police Fleet increased their green vehicles from 83 to 125 hybrid electric vehicles.

 

3.6.2 Peel Regional Police has standardized installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in all new buildings outlined in the long term Facilities Plan.

Quick Escape