An investigation was conducted into a complaint alleging that conflicting practices between the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police prevented a British Columbia resident from reporting alleged breaches of a probation order by an Ottawa resident. The complainant alleged they were repeatedly directed between the two police services when attempting to report the matter.
The Inspector General found that the OPS delivered adequate and effective policing. However, the absence of a board policy and chief procedure addressing cross-jurisdictional reports of crime does not comply with the CSPA and its regulations. The Inspector General stated that police services and boards should have policies and procedures that provide clear guidance on accepting, assessing, and coordinating investigations involving complainants and alleged offenders located in different jurisdictions.
Outcome: OPS provided adequate and effective policing, but the Service and Board were found non-compliant because of the lack of policies and procedures governing cross-jurisdictional criminal complaints; IG directed the Board to develop a policy and the Chief to implement a corresponding procedure