Court Security

Policy No:
02/00-16
Effective Date:

Legislative/Regulatory Requirements

Section 137 of the Police Services Act requires that, where a police services board has court security obligations, the board is responsible for:

  • ensuring the security of judges and of persons taking part in or attending proceedings;

  • during the hours when judges and members of the public are present, ensuring the security of the premises;

  • ensuring the secure custody of persons in custody who are on or about the premises, including persons taken into custody at proceedings; and

  • determining appropriate levels of security for the purposes of [the above paragraphs].

Section 16 of the Adequacy Standards Regulation requires that, where a police services board has court security obligations under section 137 of the Act, the Chief of Police shall:

  • prepare a court security plan; 

  • establish procedures on court security that address supervision and training; and 

  • ensure that court security personnel have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform court security functions.

Finally, section 29 of the regulation requires police services boards with court security responsibilities to establish policies with respect to court security.

Board Policy

It is the policy of the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board with respect to court security that the Chief of Police will:

  1. establish a local court security committee, to serve in an advisory capacity to the Chief of Police, comprised of representatives, at minimum, from the police, Crown, judiciary, local bar, victim services/organizations and Courts Services - Ministry of the Attorney General;

  2. prepare a court security plan, in consultation with the local court security committee, that adequately addresses local needs and circumstances, and meets the statutory responsibilities set out in section 137 of the Police Services Act; and

  3. ensure that police officers and special constables utilized for court security are supervised and have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the function.