Inspector General Memo and Advisory Bulletin #4.1: Political Activity -- Police Service Board Members & OPP Detachment Board Members

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TO:

All Chiefs of Police and

Commissioner Thomas Carrique

Chairs, Police Service Boards

 
FROM:

Ryan Teschner, Inspector General of Policing of Ontario 

 
DATE:  July 24, 2026 
SUBJECT:    

Inspector General Memo and Advisory Bulletin #4.1: Political Activity -- Police Service Board Members & OPP Detachment Board Members

 

 

As part of my advisory role under section 102(4) of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), I am writing to provide information and advice regarding political activity by members of police service boards and OPP detachment boards.
 

In advance of the upcoming municipal elections, questions may arise regarding the extent to which board members may engage in political activities while continuing to fulfill their governance responsibilities with boards.


The CSPA requires police service board members and OPP detachment board members to comply with each of the applicable Codes of Conduct. These Codes are regulations — that is, they have legal force — and, among other things, establish standards of conduct that may apply when members participate in political activities.


These Codes are set out in:
Ontario Regulation 408/23 (Code of Conduct for Police Service Board Members); and
Ontario Regulation 409/23 (Code of Conduct for OPP Detachment Board Members).

 

While political activity is not prohibited, board members must ensure that activities in which they engage do not:

 

  • conflict with their statutory duties as board members;
  • create actual or perceived conflicts of interest between their role as board
    members and their political activity;
  • compromise their impartiality as board members; or,
  • undermine public confidence in the board or the police service.

 

The enclosed Advisory Bulletin #4.1 is being released in line with my statutory duty to provide advice to the Ontario policing sector concerning compliance and performance. The Advisory Bulletin provides an overview of the legislative, governance, and ethical considerations applicable to board members who participate in political activities or seek elected office. It also highlights key compliance, conflict-of-interest, accountability, and public trust considerations to support effective governance and informed decision-making.


I trust this information will be helpful to you. Should you have any questions, please contact your Police Services Advisor.


All IG Memos and Advisory Bulletins are posted on our website: www.iopontario.ca.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ryan Teschner

Inspector General of Policing of Ontario

 

c: Mario Di Tommaso, O.O.M. 

Deputy Solicitor General, Community Safety

 

Enclosed:  Advisory Bulletin
Political Activity: What Board Members Need to Know.

 

Note: Advisory Bulletins are the IG’s advice provided pursuant CSPA s. 102(4) and are intended as a resource for the sector by offering the IG’s general interpretation of various provisions of the CSPA. Advisory Bulletins are not legally binding, and they do not purport to address all possible factual scenarios or circumstances. As such, you may wish to consult with legal counsel to determine how this general guidance should be applied in your own local context and to navigate specific situations.