Ontario Regulation 450/24, made under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, introduces amendments to Ontario Regulation 87/24, focusing on training requirements for special constables. The changes reflect efforts to modernize and streamline the regulation of special constable appointments, particularly those under specific employer categories, such as the Niagara Parks Commission.

A significant change in the regulation is the redefinition of the term “special constable (Niagara Parks)” to “Niagara Parks constable.” This amendment not only clarifies the terminology but also ensures alignment with the Niagara Parks Commission’s role as the employer. All mentions of the former term in the regulation have been updated accordingly to maintain consistency.

Section 10 of the regulation, which outlines training exemptions for individuals appointed as special constables, has been substantially revised. It now includes a new subsection (1.1), which provides exemptions for individuals who previously served as police officers, First Nation Officers, or Niagara Parks constables, provided they meet specific criteria. These criteria ensure that individuals returning to service have maintained their qualifications and skills, including completing a “Use of Force Requalification” course within 12 months prior to reappointment.

Additional updates to Section 10 address scenarios where individuals may have interrupted service. Subsection (2.1) extends exemptions to those previously exempted under other provisions if their reappointment aligns with the same or substantially similar purposes and powers as their prior role. The regulation further allows exemptions for individuals whose service ceased before April 1, 2024, provided they are reappointed within a year and their new roles mirror their previous ones.

The regulation also includes specific training exemptions for appointments made between April 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025. These exemptions apply if the training is deemed substantially equivalent to the pre-2024 standards and is delivered by a recognized entity, such as a police service or an employer of special constables.

The amendments further address the qualifications and requalification processes for various types of special constables as specified in the regulation’s table. For example, Item 2 of the table now includes colleges of applied arts and technology as recognized entities, expanding the scope of potential employers. Additionally, paragraph 1 of subsection 15 (4) has been updated to align with the revised training requirements under Section 10, ensuring that special constables meet the appropriate standards.

Ontario Regulation 450/24 aims to modernize and refine the framework governing special constables’ training and reappointment. By introducing clearer terminology, streamlined exemptions, and transitional provisions, the amendments aim to maintain high professional standards while accommodating practical realities for former and prospective special constables.

Ontario Regulation (450/24) November 23, 2024