The University of Toronto Campus Police was created in 1904 as the university's campus police force. The University of Toronto Campus Police has jurisdiction over 80,000 students, faculty and staff, in addition to the thousands of visitors to the University each day. The University of Toronto Campus Police is commanded by three Police managers assigned to each campus. Several platoons have been organized which consist of Staff Sergeants, Corporals and Constables. These platoons of officers provide policing services to the University around the clock, 365 days per year. Each platoon consists of specialized officers who are trained in general and advanced patrol functions. In addition, officers are also trained in advanced criminal investigation functions, including SOCO. Campus Police SOCO officers will examine crime scenes for trace evidence and submit their findings to Toronto Police Forensic Identification Unit. University of Toronto Campus Police Special Constables are sworn in as Peace Officers through the Toronto Police and Peel Police Services Boards after being approved by the Provincial Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Special Constables are appointed as Peace Officers under the Ontario Police Services Act. This appointment under the Act confers police authority on Campus Police officers as per the agreement with Toronto and Peel Regional Police Services Boards. Campus Police possess powers of arrest, search and seizure. They also have the authority and discretion to lay criminal and provincial offence charges. Offenders who are taken into custody by University of Toronto Campus Police are transported to city/regional police detention centers for holding and processing. Campus Police provide policing services specific to the university sector, which otherwise may not be provided by the jurisdictional police. Criminal/provincial offence occurrences which occur within the University community are investigated by Campus Police, who prepare jurisdictional police reports which are then submitted to Toronto or Peel Police as per the Special Constable Service agreement.
Jurisdiction
The U of T Campus Police have Peace Officer authority for all areas of the University of Toronto campus as well as roads abutting the property. Furthermore, they have police authority away from the University as long as the original offence occurred on or in relation to the University of Toronto, within the City of Toronto or Region of Peel.
In addition, Campus Police enforce the University of Toronto Student Code of Conduct. Campus Police patrol in marked vehicles which are designed to be easily identifiable to the public. Officers also patrol on foot and on mountain bikes.
Community Response Unit (CRU)
In addition to the uniform presence/primary response that the Campus Police provide, the CRU works behind the scenes on an array of projects which include but are not limited to:
Several officers with the University of Toronto Campus Police are SOCOs who are designated to process crime scenes and collect evidence. Evidence that the Campus Police may collect is then forwarded to the Toronto Police Forensic Identification Services for further investigation and evaluation. Fingerprints recovered from crime scenes are entered into AFIS and compared against fingerprints on file. DNA evidence is also collected and submitted.
Community Based Policing
The University of Toronto Campus Police place a major emphasis on Community Based Policing. Officers have implemented the following programs to address the needs of the community:
High Profile Events Investigated by U of T Campus Police
Recruiting
Campus Police Special Constable recruiting occurs infrequently. Applicants whom are successful in the initial stage will undergo a Toronto Police and/or Peel Police Services background investigation prior to an official offer of employment. Potential candidates must also successfully complete the prescribed ATS tests prior to submitting their application. Candidates for the position will also undergo panel interviews, extensive background investigations, home/neighbour interviews, fingerprint submission, medical testing, written testing and psychological testing by a registered Psychologist. Once the candidate has passed the background investigation and testing, they will be deferred to the Peel/Toronto Police Services board for approval. Once approval from the board is granted, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services will review the request and grant Peace Officer status to the appointee to carry out the above functions at their respective campus.
