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METROPOLITANIZATION - THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE

NCJ Number
49198
Journal
POLICE LAW QUARTERLY Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 28-34
Author(s)
G J BENSINGER
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE IS OUTLINED, AND CHANGES RESULTING FROM THE 1957 CONSOLIDATION ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE MUNICIPALITY OF METROPOLITAN TORONTO IS A CORPORATE FEDERATION OF LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES CREATED BY LEGISLATIVE ACTION IN 1953. IT COVERS 243 SQUARE MILES AND HAS A POPULATION OF OVER 2 MILLION. IN 1954 A STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN TO DETERMINE THE DESIRABILITY OF CONSOLIDATING THE 13 POLICE DEPARTMENTS INTO A SINGLE FORCE. THIS WAS RECOMMENDED AND THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE BECAME OPERATIONAL IN JANUARY 1957. THE POLICE FORCE IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE. IT INCLUDES MORE THAN 6,600 OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS, AND HAS THREE DIVISIONS -- ADMINISTRATIVE, STAFF, AND FIELD OPERATIONS. RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF OFFICERS HAVE UNDERGONE IMPORTANT CHANGES SINCE REORGANIZATION. STANDARDS ARE SET BY THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE. A CADET SYSTEM FOR 17- TO 20-YEAR-OLDS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1957. CADETS LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF POLICE WORK THROUGH ACADEMIC ASSIGNMENTS, DRILLS, AND WORK ASSIGNMENTS. UPON GRADUATION CADETS MAY JOIN A PATROL, ASSIST IN TRAFFIC DIRECTION, OR ENFORCE PARKING REGULATIONS. AT THE AGE OF 21, CADETS BECOME ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE FORCE AS OFFICERS. THE RECRUIT TRAINING PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED IN 1959, INTRODUCES THE RECRUIT TO ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND REGULATIONS AND COVERS TECHNIQUES OF POLICE WORK, THE ROLE OF POLICE, COURT PROCEDURE, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS. CANADIAN CRIMINAL LAW AND THE RUDIMENTS OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. RECRUITS UNDERGO A PHYSICAL FITNESS TRAINING PROGRAM AND LEARN THE USE OF FIREARMS. RECRUITS THEN RECEIVE TRAINING IN LOCAL CONCERNS AND PROCEDURES, POLICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, USE OF POLICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF ARREST POWERS AND TRAFFIC DIRECTION. THE RECRUITS ALSO RECEIVE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF FIELD OFFICERS. FOLLOWING THIS, THE RECRUITS ATTEND A REVIEW AND TEST SESSION, AND ARE ASSIGNED A VARIETY OF POLICE DUTIES DURING AN 18-MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD. INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE ALSO CONDUCTED PERIODICALLY. SINCE REORGANIZATION, THE FORCE HAS EXPANDED RAPIDLY AND OPERATING COSTS HAVE INCREASED TO MEET METROPOLITAN NEEDS. FORCE MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE ASSOCIATION WHICH NEGOTIATES FOR EMPLOYEES WITH MANAGEMENT. PROMOTIONS HAVE BECOME FAIRER, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT HAVE INCREASED. REORGANIZATION APPEARS TO HAVE PRODUCED A WELL ORGANIZED AND PROFESSIONAL FORCE.