Equipment

Provincial Compliance Requirements

Section 38 of the PSA Ontario Regulation 3/99: Adequate and Effectiveness of Police Services requires that a municipal police service shall be provided with adequate equipment and facilities. Guidance about public order equipment was provided in the PSM under the ministry’s Designated Equipment List. However, the quality, age, and manufacturer of the equipment varied from service to service. Therefore, the equipment issued and available to POU members across the province varies considerably. 

While the ministry’s Designated Equipment List in the PSM is advisory only, Ontario Regulation 392/23 of the CSPA now has a prescribed list of required equipment as of April 1, 2025 (the Regulation builds in a transition timeline for the acquisition of this required equipment). 

The IoP’s Findings 

Although the equipment used by different POUs is similar in type – for example, shields, batons, helmets, etc. – it is the manufacturer of the equipment that varies considerably from police service to police service. With that comes different manufacturers’ recommendations with respect to maintenance, longevity, and overall state of the equipment. Given the varying recommendations from manufacturers, it is critical that police services track and test the equipment on a regular basis and consistent with manufacturer’s recommendations, to maximize officer safety and instill user confidence in the equipment.

At the time of this report, global economic uncertainty is impacting material costs and supply chains. Police services are not immune to these impacts. Rising material costs may impact the manufacturing and availability of public safety equipment. Given the significance of this issue and the importance of ensuring policing equipment is available to Ontario services, the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the OACP, and the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards (OAPSB) should monitor supply chain issues and engage other orders of government where their jurisdiction may assist in resolving issues that arise.