York Regional Police
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| York Regional Police | |
| Coverage | |
|---|---|
| Area | York Region |
| Size | 1,761.64 km² |
| Population | 930,000 |
| Operations | |
| Formed | 1971 |
| HQ | Newmarket, Ontario |
| Budget | CDN $180 million (net operating); $17.8 million (capital) - 2007 |
| Officers | 1651 |
| District | 5 |
| Stations | |
| Chief of Police | Armand P. La Barge |
| Website | www.yrp.ca |
York Regional Police serves over 930,000 residents in the York Region, Ontario, Canada, located north of Toronto. The YRP was formed in 1971 from the amalgamation of local forces and the local governments.
Contents |
[edit] History
York Regional Police was formed in 1971 when province began creating regional forces to replace the large number of local forces across the province. The York force involved the merger of several local police forces in what was then York County:
- King Township Police (1800s)
- Vaughan Township Police (1937)
- Whitchurch Township Police
- Markham Police Department
- North Gwillimbury Township Police
- Georgina Township Police
- York County Police
- Richmond Hill Township Police
- Newmarket Township Police
- Aurora Township Police
- Stouffville Township Police
[edit] Operations
The head of the force is Chief Armand P. La Barge, who replaced Robert Middaugh, who replaced Julian Fantino after Fantino left to lead the Toronto Police Service. The administration and senior command of the force operates from the YRP Headquarters in Newmarket, Ontario.
A list of Chiefs of the York Regional police force since its creation in 1971:
- Bruce Crawford 1971-1987
- Donald Hillock 1987-1992
- Bryan Cousineau 1992-1997
- Peter Scott 1997-1998
- Julian Fantino 1998-2000
- Robert Middaugh 2000-December 12, 2002
- Armand P. La Barge December 12, 2002-present
YRP Operations are composed of:
- Administrative Services
- Information Services
- Investigative Services
- Support Services
- Community Services
- Court Services
York Region Police is divided into five geographical districts:
- 1 District - serving Newmarket, Ontario (northwest York Region)
- 2 District - serving Richmond Hill, Ontario (south central York Region)
- 3 District - serving Georgina, Ontario, and Lake Simcoe (northeast York Region)
- 4 District - serving Vaughan, Ontario (southwest York Region)
- 5 District - serving Markham, Ontario (southeast York Region)
[edit] The Special Investigations Unit
The actions of the York Regional Police are examined by theSpecial Investigations Unit, a civilian agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. The SIU is dedicated to maintaining one law, ensuring equal justice before the law among both the police and the public. They assure that the criminal law is applied appropriately to police conduct, as determined through independent investigations, increasing public confidence in the police services. Complaints involving police conduct that do not result in a serious injury or death must be referred to the appropriate police service or to another oversight agency, such as the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.
[edit] Communications
Communications is the branch of the York Regional Police responsible for receiving all 911 and non-emergency police calls. Under the supervision of Information Services, Police Communicators are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The communications center is located within police headquarters in Newmarket, Ontario. Staff currently work 12 hour shifts, with four days on, followed by four days off. The communications staff are non-sworn members of the York Regional police, however, the bureau is under the direction of an Inspector and a Staff Sergeant.
[edit] Workforce
The force currently has the manpower of 1,651 uniform officers and civilian staff. As well, the York Regional Police is only one of two forces in the GTA with an active air support unit (Durham is the other Police force with one). While the Toronto Police Service does not have an air unit, York's air unit serves their area under a mutual support agreement.
[edit] Ranks
The rank insignia of York Regional Police is similar to that used by police services elsewhere in Canada and in the United Kingdom, except that the usual "pips" are replaced by maple leaves.
[edit] Commanding Officers
Besides the Chief of Police, the other command officers are the Deputy Chiefs.
[edit] Police Senior Officers
The day-to-day and regional operations are commanded by senior officers:
- Superintendent
- Inspector
[edit] Uniform Non-Commissioned Officers
The on the road enforcement and emergency response is supervised by:
- Staff Sergeant
- Sergeant
[edit] Investigative Non-Commissioned Officers
Investigations are divided into crimes against persons and crimes against property. These investigations are conducted by:
- Detective Sergeant
- Detective
- Detective Constable
[edit] Police Officers
- Constable - first class, second class, third class, fourth class
[edit] Unsworn Members
- Cadet
- Special Constable(Court Security)
- Station Duty Officers
- Police Communicators
- Auxiliary Police Officers (approx. 120 members circa. August 2007; auxiliary officers are sworn-in officers, however, they do not have the powers of a peace officer outside of specific duties)
[edit] Fleet
| Make/Model | Type | Status | Origin |
| Ford Crown Victoria | (marked) - regular cruisers | active |  United States |
| Dodge Charger | crusier | active | United States |
| Chevrolet Impala | cruiser | active | United States |
| Chevrolet Malibu | cruiser | United States |
|
| Chevrolet Suburban | SUV | active | United States |
| Chevrolet Caprice and Caprice Classic | cruiser | 1970s-1980s - all retired | United States |
| Harley Davidson FLHTP | motorcycle | active | United States |
| Dodge RAM | van | active | United States |
| Enstrom 480 (Callsign: AIR1) retired and traded-in for AIR2) - Eurocopter EC120B (Callsign: AIR2) | helicopter | active |  France |
| GMC C6500 | RIDE command vehicle | active | United States |
| GMC Vandura | Forensics unit truck | active | United States |
| Chevrolet C4500 | support vehicle | active | United States |
| GMC Savanna 4500 | support vehicle | active | United States |
| Chevrolet Yukon | SUV | active | United States |
| Ford Freestar | van | active | United States/ Canada |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | SUV | active |  Japan |
| Farbor/Freightliner | Command Unit | active | United States |
| Naawig | marine launch | active | |
| MAR1 - The "WAAWAATESI" 34' | marine launch | active | Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, Ontario Canada |
| MAR2 - Seaswirl 26' | marine launch | active | Seaswirl |
| A15 - 18' | zodiac | active | United States |
| A16 - 10' | zodiac | active | United States |
| A17 - 'John' | canine boat | active | United States |
| Volkswagen Beetle | Safety Bug | active |  Germany |
| Airboat | ice rescue boat - operations on Lake Simcoe | active | United States |
Marked cruisers are label with the motto Deeds Speak.
[edit] Uniform
Front line officers wear black shirts, cargo pants (with red stripe) and boots. Winter jackets are either black or reflective orange/yellow with the word POLICE in white and blue at the back.
Hats can be ball caps, standard forge cap, Yukon hat for winter. Motorcycle units have white helmets. Black or reflective gloves are also provided to officers directing traffic.
Senior officers wear white shirts and a black dress jacket.
[edit] Weapons
| Make/Model | Type | Status | Origin |
| Glock 22 or 23 | pistol | active |  Austria |
| Berretta Centurion 96D | pistol | active |  Italy |
| Remington 870P | pump action shotgun | active | United States |
| Beretta 5mm | Semi-Automatic Pistols | sold to Belleville Police Service | Italy |
[edit] Emergency Response Unit
The E.R.U. was the YRP SWAT team formed 1980 is responsible for handling dangerous situations not handled by regular officers. They are specially trained to use deadly force if necessary.
The E.R.U. is 12 member team made up of the department tactical unit and it explosive disposal unit as well.
The E.R.U. has a mutual aid agreement with Durham Regional Police's Tactical Support Unit. Both tactical teams support each other should there be a long term call out or a call out when either unit needs additional man power.
York Regional Police also provides the tactical response/hostage rescue team for South Simcoe Police.
[edit] See also
York Regional Police is part of York Region's Emergency Services and works along side with:
