Ontario Provincial Police

At the First Parliament of Upper Canada in Niagara-on-the-Lake on 17 September 1792, a provision was made for the formation of a "police system". Initially, policing jurisdictions were limited to districts, townships, and parishes. In 1845, a mounted police service was created to keep the peace in areas surrounding the construction of public works.{{Cite canlaw|short title = An Act for the better preservation of the Peace, and the prevention of Riots and violent Outrages at and near Public Works while in progress of Construction|abbr =S.C.|year =1845|chapter =6|section= 14|link= https://archive.org/stream/provincialstatu03canagoog#page/n100/mode/2up}}, later replaced by {{Cite canlaw|short title = The Public Works Peace Preservation Act|abbr =S.O.|year =1910|chapter =12|section= 13|link= https://archive.org/stream/statutesofprovin1910onta#page/76/mode/2up}} It became the Ontario Mounted Police Force after Canadian Confederation.

In 1877, the Constables Act extended jurisdiction and gave designated police members authorization to act throughout the province.{{Cite canlaw|short title = An Act respecting Constables|abbr =S.O.|year =1877|chapter =20|link= https://archive.org/stream/statutesofprovin1877onta#page/160/mode/2up}} The first salaried provincial constable appointed to act as detective for the government of Ontario was John Wilson Murray, hired on a temporary appointment in 1875 and made permanent upon passage of the 1877 act. Murray was joined by two additional detectives in 1897, marking the beginnings of the Criminal Investigation Branch. However, for the most part, policing outside of Ontario's cities was non-existent.

File:Thirty provincial police in Porcupine No 2 The police in three rows, sleigh with occupants and lower part of jail in background (HS85-10-26666).jpg, 1913]]

With the discovery of silver in Cobalt and gold in Timmins, lawlessness was increasingly becoming a problem in northern Ontario. Police constables were gradually introduced in various areas,under {{Cite canlaw|short title = The Mines Act, 1906|abbr =S.O.|year =1906|chapter =24|section= 190|link= https://archive.org/stream/statutesofprovin1906onta#page/24/mode/2up}} until an Order in Council decreed the establishment of a permanent organization of salaried constables designated as the Ontario Provincial Police Force on 13 October 1909.confirmed by {{Cite canlaw|short title = The Constables Act|abbr =S.O.|year =1910|chapter =39|section= 17|link= https://archive.org/stream/statutesofprovin1910onta#page/344/mode/2up}} It consisted of 45 men under the direction of Superintendent Joseph E. Rogers. The starting salary for constables was $400 per annum, increased to $900 in 1912. There were many detachments simultaneously founded including Bala, Muskoka, and Niagara Falls.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opp.ca/museum/historicalhighlights.php|title = The OPP Museum > Historical Highlights}}

In the 1920s, restructuring was undertaken with the passing of the Provincial Police Force Act, 1921.{{Cite canlaw|short title = The Provincial Police Force Act, 1921|abbr =S.O.|year =1921|chapter =45|link= https://archive.org/stream/statutesofprovin1921onta#page/162/mode/2up}} The title of the commanding officer was changed to "commissioner" and given responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Ontario Temperance Act{{Cite canlaw|short title = The Ontario Temperance Act|abbr =S.O.|year =1916|chapter =50|link= https://archive.org/stream/statutesofprovin1916onta#page/216/mode/2up}} and other liquor regulations. Major-General Harry Macintyre Cawthra-Elliot was appointed as the first commissioner.

The OPP's first death in the line of duty occurred in 1923, when escaped convict Leo Rogers shot and killed Sergeant John Urquhart near North Bay. Rogers, who was later killed in a shootout with OPP officers, had already mortally wounded North Bay City constable, Fred Lefebvre.

The first OPP motorcycle patrol was introduced in 1928, phased out in 1942, and then reintroduced in 1949. The first marked OPP patrol car was introduced in 1941.

During World War II, the Veterans Guard was formed. This was a body of volunteers (primarily World War I veterans) whose duty was to protect vulnerable hydroelectric plants and the Welland Ship Canal under the supervision of regular police members.

File:OPP 1978 Jarvis St. training.jpg

In the late 1940s, policing functions were reorganized in Ontario, with the OPP given responsibility for all law enforcement in the province outside areas covered by municipal police forces, together with overall authority for law enforcement on the King's Highways, enforcement of the provincial liquor laws, aiding the local police, and maintaining a criminal investigation branch.{{Cite canlaw|short title=The Police Act, 1946|abbr=S.O.|year=1946|chapter=72|section=3|link=https://archive.org/stream/v3ontariobills1946ontauoft#page/1006/mode/2up}}, later replaced by {{Cite canlaw|short title=The Police Act, 1949|abbr=S.O.|year=1949|chapter=72|link=https://archive.org/stream/statutesofprovin1949onta#page/348/mode/2up}} In March 1969, a meeting took place at the Ontario Securities Commission to incorporate a separate but included group of the Ontario Provincial Police Association.{{cite web |url=https://oppva.ca/ |title=Home |website=oppva.ca}} Women joined the uniformed ranks in 1974. Between 1983 and 1993, the OPP officer Al Robinson served as the police hander for the informer Marvin Elkind in what has been described as the most successful undercover operation ever ran by the OPP.{{sfn|Humphreys|2011|p=297-299}}

File:Arms of the Ontario Provincial Police.svg

In 1994, as part of a tripartite agreement between the government of Canada, the province of Ontario, and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the OPP began the process of relinquishing a majority of northern policing duties to the newly created Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS). The transition was complete on 1 April 1999, when the OPP's Northwest Patrol was transferred to NAPS. The OPP still administers First Nations policing for Big Trout Lake, Weagamow, Muskrat Dam, and Pikangikum.{{cite web |url=http://www.naps.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=55 |title=NAPS History |website=www.naps.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706191224/http://www.naps.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=55 |archive-date=2011-07-06}}

File:Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters, 2004.jpg in Orillia, 2004]]

The OPP provides police services to the provincial government - patrolling provincial highways and waterways, investigating multijurisdictional crimes, and protecting high-profile government officials - under provincial mandate, and to municipalities and First Nations under contract.

The force operates out of its General Headquarters, located in the Lincoln M. Alexander Building in Orillia, Ontario. The relocation of general headquarters to Orillia was part of a government move to decentralize ministries and operations to other parts of Ontario. Previously, from 1973 to 1995, the headquarters were located in Toronto at 90 Harbour Street, the site of the former Workmen's Compensation Board building.

The force is organized into five commands, each answering to a deputy commissioner. The commands are further divided into bureaus. The Culture and Strategy Services Command is responsible for corporate communications, strategic development, and the force's internal misconduct investigations unit; the Traffic Safety and Operational Support Command is responsible for highway policing, Indigenous policing, support services like the Tactics and Rescue Unit, and security at provincial government buildings excepting the Ontario Legislative Building; the Field Operations Command is responsible for frontline policing in communities that do not maintain independent police forces; the Investigations and Organized Crime Command is responsible for investigating complex, major, or multi-jurisdictional crimes or organized criminal networks across the province and administering firearms licenses; and the Corporate Services Command administers various business, contract, and career management bureaus.

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• Abuse issues
• Administration of the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreements
• Auxiliary policing/chaplaincy
• Aviation/flight operations{{Cite web |title=Aviation Services|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56f05b258f94aca7357b23c6 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Bloodstain pattern analysis{{Cite web |title=Forensics|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5772bc738f94ac992bc344cb |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Canine operations
• Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response{{Cite web |title=UCRT (USAR CBRNE)|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?&lng=en&id=115&entryid=572769db8f94ac7e408a7252 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Chief firearms office
• Chief security office
• Child exploitation investigation
• Civil litigation file coordination
• Civilian data entry{{Cite web |title=Civilian Data Entry |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56b75c268f94ace65c28d172 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Clandestine laboratory investigative response
• Collision reporting centres{{Cite web |title=Collisions |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56b787fe8f94ac9f5828d172 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Commercial motor vehicles and dangerous goods
• Community liaison; hate/bias incident response
• Community policing/crime prevention and community safety{{Cite web |title=Community Mobilization and Engagement |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56b7979b8f94ac0d5c28d174 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Community street crime units
• Complaint investigation
• Computer-aided dispatch
• Court case management
• Crime analytical support team
• Crime gun analysis
• Crime linkage analysis (Provincial ViCLAS Centre)
• Crime Stoppers{{Cite web |title=Crime Stoppers |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56e70b6e8f94ac6a3e31071b |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Criminal investigation services and major case management
• Criminal investigation services support team
• Criminal Traffic Offences and Devices Program
• Crisis call diversion
• Crisis negotiation{{Cite web |title=Crisis Negotiations |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=570ffe498f94acee753ef75d |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Critical infrastructure protection, planning and support
• Cybercrime investigations
• Digital forensics
• Drug Evaluation and Classification Program{{Cite web |title=Illegal Drugs |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=576bf5dc8f94ac7e15355e0f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Emergency management and preparedness{{Cite web |title=Emergency Response Team |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56effe358f94ac14283b05df |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Emergency operations centre
• Emergency response
• Explosives disposal / render safe investigations{{Cite web |title=Explosives Disposal |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5727696c8f94ac28408a7252 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Family Information Liaison Unit support
• Federal Firearms Program delivery
• Firearm verification and analysis unit
• Forensic artist and reconstruction unit
• Forensic identification CBRNE
• Forensic identification services
• Forensic interviewing and polygraph
• Forensic psychiatry and research
• Forensic video analysis{{Cite web |title=Forensics|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5772bc738f94ac992bc344cb |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Fraud, corruption, economic/financial crime investigation/cyber fraud strategy{{Cite web |title=Fraud |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=573e164b8f94ac69670ca89a |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Frontline support unit
• Geographic information services
• Hate crime/extremism investigation
• Historic homicide unit
• Indigenous awareness training
• Indigenous policing{{Cite web |title=Indigenous Policing |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56b7838d8f94ace85c28d172 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Information technology
• Intelligence{{Cite web |title=Intelligence |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=576bf77e8f94ace216355e0f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Investigative genetic genealogy
• Joint forces penitentiary squad
• Joint technical assistance centre
• Justice Officials Protection and Investigation Section
• Major incident command
• Media relations
• Mental health response
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Team{{Cite web |title=Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=115&lng=en&entryid=6270fb419fe349519540a373 |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Mobile crisis response teams{{Cite web |title=Mental Health|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5ebe9643241f6e3e526980e3 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Offender transportation{{Cite web |title=Offender Transportation Program |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56b778258f94aca05828d178 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Ontario Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains
• Ontario Sex Offender Registry{{Cite web |title=Ontario Sex Offender Registry |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5760567d8f94ac8747a0142f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Organized crime enforcement{{Cite web |title=Organized Crime |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=576c1dec8f94ac8a31355e0f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Physical security services
• Prescription drug diversion
• Protection services section
• Provincial alcohol and gaming enforcement{{Cite web |title=Alcohol, Gaming and Horse Racing|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56f05d2e8f94ac4f367b23c6 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Provincial anti-human trafficking strategy{{Cite web |title=Human Trafficking|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5717c7e38f94ac77337b23c6 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Provincial anti-terrorism
• Provincial asset forfeiture unit
• Provincial biker enforcement{{Cite web |title=Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=576c23208f94ac7035355e0f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Provincial communications operations{{Cite web |title=Provincial Communications Centres |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56a0e5cf8f94ac9f5024a3d7 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Provincial contraband tobacco enforcement
• Provincial cybercrime strategy{{Cite web |title=Cyber Operations Section|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5d88ccbe241f6e2a903bce13 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Provincial DNA Program
• Provincial guns and gangs strategy
• Provincial illegal cannabis enforcement
• Provincial inquest unit
• Provincial liaison team
• Provincial Marine Program and off-road vehicles
• Provincial Motorcycle Program; motorized snow vehicles and Aircraft Enforcement Program
• Provincial offences and devices speed management
• Provincial operations centre
• Provincial Police Academy
• Provincial repeat offender parole enforcement{{Cite web |title=Repeat Offenders Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=576c2e498f94acfa3d355e0f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet
• Provincial traffic operations
• Provincial Tow Program{{Cite web |title=OPP Tow Program|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=6009c4bcffaafb36b702fb23 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Provincial weapons enforcement{{Cite web |title=Illegal Firearms|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=576c2ccf8f94ac5a3c355e0f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Psychological services
• Public order
• Recorded patrol
• Record management system
• Risk offender enforcement unit
• Remotely piloted aircraft systems
• Residential School Death Investigation Team
• R.I.D.E. (reduce impaired driving everywhere){{Cite web |title=Impaired Driving|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5715443e8f94ac996e7b23c6 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Search and rescue{{Cite web |title=Search and Rescue|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5c8fbbd4241f6e282a3ca3f3 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Security assessment unit
• Security enquiries unit
• Service desk
• Special constables appointments{{Cite web |title=Special Constables|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56b766d38f94aca15828d174 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Surveillance — electronic and physical
• Tactical emergency medical services{{Cite web |title=Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5707ea198f94acd56d9b9a2f |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Tactics and rescue{{Cite web |title=Tactics and Rescue Unit |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5706c5cd8f94ac5b567b23c6 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Technological crime/digital evidence forensics and analysis
• Traffic collision reconstruction
• Technology disclosure
• Threat and behavioural analysis
• Undercover operations
• Underwater search and recovery{{Cite web |title=Underwater Search and Recovery Unit|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=5706b0d48f94ac81467b23c6 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Uniform recruitment
• Urban search and rescue{{Cite web |title=UCRT (USAR CBRNE)|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?&lng=en&id=115&entryid=572769db8f94ac7e408a7252 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}
• Victim assistance, support and response
• Witness protection{{Cite web |title=Victims/Survivors of Crime |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=6183fcdbbf5125480a712a63 |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}

}}

Previously, the OPP was divided into seventeen different regions. In 1995, OPP operations were amalgamated into six regions, with five providing general policing services, and one providing traffic policing services on provincial highways in the Greater Toronto Area (local police services in the GTA are provided by municipal and regional police forces) following recommendations by the Ipperwash Inquiry.https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/inquiries/ipperwash/policy_part/projects/pdf/Tab4_OPPEmergencyResponseServicesAComparisonof1995to2006.pdf Ipperwash Inquiry OPP police stations are known as "detachments".

{{See also|Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police}}

Police constables in the OPP are uniquely known as "provincial constables".{{cite web|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=115&lng=en&entryid=5727682d8f94ac403e8a7252 |title=OPP Ranks |access-date=27 July 2021}}

Detective ranks fall laterally with the uniform ranks and are not a promotion above.{{cite web|url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/100268#BK12|title=O. Reg. 268/10, s. 8 (2).|website=Ontario Police Services Act, O. Reg. 268/10: GENERAL}} The rank of sergeant major is reserved for members of the Professional Standards Bureau, where the rank has a unique investigative function within the force's chain-of-command.{{cite web|url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=56a0e3c68f94ac264d24a3d7|title=Professional Standards|website=Ontario Provincial Police}}

The Commissioner's Own Pipes and Drums serves as the OPP's officially recognised pipe band. Formed as the Ontario Provincial Pipes and Drums in 1968 by two constables, the band saw active service to wide acclaim in the 1970s and 80s before being disbanded in 1991 due to department financial constraints. The band was shortly re-formed three years after, and is now composed of volunteer officers, auxiliary officers, and civilian volunteers.{{Cite web|last=Police|first=Ontario Provincial|title=OPP Commissioner's Own Pipes and Drums Celebrate their beginnings at Nipigon Concert|url=https://wawa-news.com/index.php/2018/06/08/opp-commissioners-own-pipes-and-drums-celebrate-their-beginnings-at-nipigon-concert/|access-date=2020-09-24|website=wawa-news.com|language=en-US}}

File:Ontario Provincial Police motorcycle.jpg

The majority of policing services are provided by uniformed front-line police constables. In addition to the basic training provided to all police officers in Ontario, the OPP mandates additional training at the Provincial Police Academy before and after attendance at the Ontario Police College, resulting in the longest training period among Ontario police services. After this, probationary police constables are assigned to a detachment within the OPP's six regions with a coach officer for a year of field training. At the end of probation, a decision is made regarding retention.{{Cite web |title=What Happens After You're Sworn-in |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=115&entryid=6170402b2c140b41d8710fb3 |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=www.opp.ca}} First Nations constables employed by OPP-supported police services undergo the same training as OPP officers, spending time at the Provincial Police Academy as well as at the Ontario Police College before returning to their home communities.

Auxiliary members have no police authority. They must rely on the same arrest provisions as regular citizens. There are some instances when an auxiliary member may have the authority of a police officer. This can occur in an emergency situation, or where the OPP requires additional strength to assist with a special event. Auxiliary officers are unpaid, however are compensated for travel and meals. They are required to attend routine training administered by the OPP, and must contribute a certain number of hours monthly. The auxiliary is made up of people from diverse backgrounds.{{Cite web |title=Auxiliary Policing Program |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=115&entryid=56b758c48f94ac9e5828d172 |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=www.opp.ca}}

Auxiliary members are trained at the Provincial Police Academy and qualified with all use of force options.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

The auxiliary uniform is distinct from the uniform of a regular OPP officer. Auxiliary officers wear light blue shirts, checkered hat bands, and have their own cap badges. They wear slip-ons with the word "auxiliary" embroidered on them, and their jackets and dress uniforms have tabs sewn on that indicates that they are auxiliary officers.

Following the disbanding of World War II auxiliary forces, growing Cold War tension and fear of a nuclear attack led to the belief that police services should "recruit and train volunteers to augment their strength in times of emergency". As a result, in 1954, the Provincial Civil Defence Auxiliary was created, but the need to more closely associate the auxiliary with the OPP soon became apparent.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

On 14 January 1960, the Provincial Civil Defence Organization was dissolved. A new oversight body known as the Emergency Measures Organization—Ontario (EMO) came into being. Each department of the government became responsible for its own operational planning. The organization of auxiliary police forces became the responsibility of all interested municipal police forces, as well as the OPP.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

In April 1960, a new organization more closely affiliated with the OPP came into being. The Ontario Auxiliary Police were organized in 12 of the 17 OPP districts and by the end of the year, 376 volunteers had signed up to be equipped and trained by experienced OPP personnel. Two OPP inspectors were assigned to work with Emergency Measures Ontario as liaison officers for the volunteers. This close connection continues today with the OPP auxiliary playing a critical role in emergency and disaster planning and occurrences. By 1961 there were 466 auxiliary volunteers who accompanied regular provincials on traffic and law enforcement patrols and during the year logged more than twenty-six thousand hours of volunteer duty.{{Cite web|url=http://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=115&entryid=56b758c48f94ac9e5828d172|title=Ontario Provincial Police|website=www.opp.ca|access-date=24 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924145254/http://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=115&entryid=56b758c48f94ac9e5828d172|archive-date=24 September 2016}}

Uniformed officers below the rank of staff sergeant wear navy blue uniforms with gold lettering and shoulder flashes. Sworn managers at or above the rank of staff sergeant wear slightly smaller, black shoulder flashes and white shirts, and wear navy trousers with black piping. Officers below the rank of staff sergeant use trousers with light blue trouser piping, and forage caps for all ranks are banded with the same light blue colour. As of 2021, officers may also choose to wear a baseball cap instead of the traditional forage cap.{{Cite web |title=OPP officers get their wish: Baseball caps now part of uniform|url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/opp-officers-get-their-wish-baseball-caps-now-part-of-uniform-3911564|access-date=December 30, 2023|website=BarrieToday.com|date=28 June 2021 }} Officers wear duty belts, which, at a minimum, carry an officer's issued use of force equipment, and also wear an external Pacific Safety Products vest with MOLLE webbing to store additional items and large placards that read "police" in gold text on their chest and back.{{Cite web |title=The Body Armour Shoulder Cut|url=https://www.blueline.ca/the-body-armour-shoulder-cut/|access-date=January 1, 2024|website=Blue Line Magazine|date=26 July 2022 }}

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, the OPP engaged in a proof-of-concept program in East Region which included the use of body worn cameras (BWC), along with its accompanying mobile applications.

Officers serving with specialty tactical units are also issued cargo pants without piping, utility tops, and subdued placards for their external tactical vests. Officers serving with the Tactics and Rescue Unit are issued olive green uniforms.{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2016 |title=Specialized Response |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?&lng=en&id=115&entryid=5710001d8f94acdc763ef75d |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=opp.ca}}

Since 1985, wide, light blue stripes down the side of issued trousers have been standard. Prior to this, officers wore pants with thin, red trouser piping.{{Cite web |title=OPP 1985, introduction of blue stripe onto our uniform pants - red up until this point. Our tradition, your future! www.opp.ca/careers ^mt|url=https://www.facebook.com/OPPCareers/photos/a.344947782271287/861327200633340/?type=3|access-date=January 1, 2024|website=Facebook: Ontario Provincial Police - Careers}} From 1997 to 2008, the official headdress of the OPP was the stetson, though commissioned ranks were still issued the forage cap. Starting in 2008, the OPP returned to the peaked cap for all officers.{{Cite web |title=OPP return to peaked hats after 11 years|url=https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/opp-return-to-peaked-hats-after-11-years/|access-date=December 31, 2023|website=The Wellington Advertiser|date=27 September 2018 }}

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• 5,269 road vehicles (patrol, investigative, multi-use, motorcycle, trailers and specialty)
• 1,054 seasonal vehicles (Marine vessels, motorized snow (MSV) and off-road vehicles (ORV))

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| image1 = Toronto - ON - OPP.jpg

| caption1 = OPP Ford Crown Victoria painted in an all-white livery with blue and gold striping, used from 1989 to 2007.

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| caption2 = OPP Ford Crown Victoria painted in a black-and-white colour scheme, used from 1941 to 1989 and again since 2007.

| image3 = OPP 4-586.jpg

| caption3 = OPP Chevrolet Tahoe 4th Gen with the ghosted / stealth livery. Vehicles with this livery are less common than the black-and-white colour scheme and instead used more often during specific operations.

}}

The OPP has approximately 5,200 cruisers in service across the province according to the 2023 Annual Report.{{Cite web |title=2023 Annual Report |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?&lng=en&id=115&entryid=6724d7465104bd385d0f5323 |website=opp.ca |format=PDF |publication-date=November 4, 2024}} Officers mainly patrol using all-wheel drive versions of the Ford Taurus Police Interceptor, Ford Explorer Police Utility, Ford F-150 Police Responder, Dodge Charger Pursuit, Dodge Durango Special Service Package, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon for frontline patrol. For specialized roles, a variety of vehicles are used, such as the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford F250 Super Duty, and the Cambli International Thunder 1 armoured rescue vehicles used by the Tactics and Rescue Unit, as well as an International-based truck used by the Highway Safety Division and Mobile Support Units. Previously, models of the Ford Crown Victoria and Chevrolet Impala were used.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, the OPP engaged in a proof-of-concept program in East Region which included the deployment and implementation of In-Car Camera Systems which includes an integrated Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology. In March 2023, the OPP completed a provincial implementation of In-Car Camera systems with integrated ALPR into over 1,300 frontline vehicles across all regions of the province.

Historically, from 1941 to 1989, the OPP livery was black and white. In 1989, in response to manufacturers no longer offering dual tone vehicles, the OPP switched to an all-white livery with blue and gold striping.{{cite news |title=OPP vehicles to get new colors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget-opp-vehicles-to-get-new/175027247/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |work=North Bay Nugget |date=10 August 1989 |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}} Vehicles of this era were equipped with Federal Signal's Vector light bars with integrated traffic advisers. In 2007, the OPP announced that it would return to a black and white colour scheme. The colour scheme is accomplished with the use of vinyl wraps during in-house vehicle outfitting. The change was implemented starting in March 2007 and was completed in 2009.{{Cite web |date=2007-01-18 |title=OPP back in black and white |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/01/18/opp_back_in_black_and_white.html |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=thestar.com |language=en}} Vehicles of this era had detachment markings on the rear quarter panel and used Federal Signal Arjent S2 light bars. Current vehicles have eschewed the detachment markings and are equipped with Whelen Legacy light bars. Unmarked vehicles are generally white, black, grey or dark blue. All marked cruisers are equipped with pushbars, also generally have black steel rims, and spotlights mounted on the driver side. Licence plates on the cruisers are generally the standard Ontario licence plates with a special validation sticker denoting permanent registration.{{Cite web|url=https://europlate.org/Ontario|title = Login required - Europlate}}

As of February 2023, the OPP has the following aircraft listed with Transport Canada as the Province Of Ontario, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and operate as Nav Canada airline designator GD, and telephony GUARDIAN.{{CanDD|OPP|GD|GUARDIAN|1|2023-02-28}}{{TCregister|PROVINCE+OF+ONTARIO%2c+MINISTRY+OF+COMMUNITY+SAFETY+AND+CORRECTIONAL+SERVICES|Province Of Ontario, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services|2023-02-28}}

• 2 Eurocopter EC135 P2+
• 2 Pilatus PC12NG - personnel and prisoner transport, First Nations policing support
• 1 Cessna 206 Turbo - traffic enforcement

Unmanned aerial vehicles

• 15 DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual Advanced
• 28 DJI Avata
• 1 DJI Mavic 2 Pro
• 6 DJI Mavic Air
• 4 DJI M30T
• 3 DJI M300
• 4 DJI Mavic 3T
• 4 Autel Evo II Pro

• Kanter Marine "Chris D. Lewis" 38-foot police boat
• Boston Whaler 24-foot police boat

File:A police boat, ready to protect athletes at the Pan American Games, 2015 07 18 (12) (19320802653).jpg, 2015]]

Ontario Provincial Police officers carry a variety of use of force equipment in the performance of their duties. The current sidearm of the OPP is the Glock 17M pistol in 9x19mm.{{cite web |title=Moving to the 'next generation' handgun |url=https://www.blueline.ca/moving-to-the-next-generation-handgun-5053/ |website=Blueline |date=16 December 2017 |access-date=22 October 2022}} Previously, officers were issued either the Sig Sauer P229 DAO, or the P229R DAK in .40S&W.{{cite web |title=Ontario Provincial Police to Replace Sig Duty Guns with Glock Pistols |url=https://sofrep.com/gear/ontario-provincial-police-replace-sig-duty-guns-glock-pistols/ |website=SOF Rep |access-date=22 October 2022}} Patrol vehicles are also equipped with the Colt Canada C8 patrol rifle in 5.56x45mm NATO,{{cite web |title=Under Fire: The carbine |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1898328/under-fire-the-carbine/ |website=Global News |access-date=22 October 2022}} with the option of the Remington 870 in 12 gauge. All uniformed officers carry TASER X2 or TASER 7 conducted energy weapons {{cite web |title=Manitoulin OPP officers will begin carrying Tasers starting this spring |url=https://www.manitoulin.com/manitoulin-opp-officers-will-begin-carrying-tasers-starting-spring/ |website=The Manitoulin Expositor |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=22 October 2022}}

The Tactics and Rescue Unit have more specialized weapons at their disposal including:

{{col div}}

• Accuracy International AW
• Armalite AR10
• Colt Canada C8 patrol CQB carbine
• Knights Armament SR25
• Heckler & Koch MP5

{{col div end}}

File:CaliRally7 150dpi.jpg in 2006]]

The Caledonia land dispute began in 2006 when members of the Six Nations of the Grand River began an occupation of land that they believed belonged to them, to bring light to their land claims, and to the plight of aboriginal land claims across Canada.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} The land at the centre of the dispute was owned by a corporation planning to build a subdivision known as the Douglas Creek Estates. The Ontario Provincial Police were called in to keep the peace. Tensions led to violence and over the span of several years, the Ontario Provincial Police were criticized for perceived inaction against the native protesters by local residents. In 2011, a class-action lawsuit against the government of Ontario was settled.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

{{main|Ipperwash Inquiry|Ipperwash Crisis}}

The Ipperwash Provincial Park is a former provincial park in Lambton County, Ontario. On 4 September 1995, first nations people occupied the park to bring attention to decades-old land claims that had not been recognized, resulting in the Ipperwash Crisis. The park had been expropriated from the Stoney Point Ojibway during World War II. The protest increased in tensions, resulting in the shooting and subsequent death of a protester, Anthony O'Brien "Dudley" George, by Acting Sergeant Ken Deane of the Tactics and Rescue Unit. Deane was subsequently convicted of criminal negligence causing death. In 2003, an inquiry called the Ipperwash Inquiry, into the events at Ipperwash was convened, and concluded in 2007. The OPP now uses a variety of different methods in resolving conflicts at major events, most notably by the use of the Provincial Liaison Teams (PLT), formerly known as the Major Event Liaison Team (MELT){{Cite web| title=OPP Emergency Response Services: A Comparison of 1995 to 2006 | url=https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/inquiries/ipperwash/policy_part/projects/pdf/Tab4_OPPEmergencyResponseServicesAComparisonof1995to2006.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320232332/http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/inquiries/ipperwash/policy_part/projects/pdf/Tab4_OPPEmergencyResponseServicesAComparisonof1995to2006.pdf | archive-date=2014-03-20}}

In 1993 an Ontario Divisional Court case, John Doe v. Ontario (Information and Privacy Commissioner), Judge Matlow of the Ontario Divisional Court, suspected that four officers of the Toronto Police Service engaged in a fabrication of evidence and harassment of an accused party. Judge Matlow under the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), sought access to the report of the Ontario Provincial Police exonerating the officers, but was denied access to it by the OPP. Access was later granted by the FIPPA commissioner, but a judicial review of the FIPPA commissioner's order to release the report resulted in publication of the OPP report being banned.{{cite web |url=https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onscdc/doc/1993/1993canlii3388/1993canlii3388.html |title=CanLII - 1993 CanLII 3388 (ON SCDC) |date=30 June 1993 |access-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328003510/https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onscdc/doc/1993/1993canlii3388/1993canlii3388.html |archive-date=28 March 2018 }}

The OPPA was established in 1954 to represent sworn and civilian members of the OPP, as well as OPP retirees.{{cite web|url=https://www.oppa.ca/about/our-history|title=OPPA – OPP Association History|website=www.oppa.ca|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120236/https://www.oppa.ca/about/our-history|archive-date=2 April 2015}} In March 2015, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced they were investigating fraud allegations against three top executives of the OPPA.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/unusual-transactions-in-opp-union-funds-among-allegations-against-top-execs-1.2278747|title='Unusual transactions' in OPP union funds among allegations against top execs|date=13 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314020329/http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/unusual-transactions-in-opp-union-funds-among-allegations-against-top-execs-1.2278747|archive-date=14 March 2015}}

In 2018, Toronto Police Superintendent Ron Taverner, was nominated to replace outgoing Commissioner Vince Hawkes.{{Cite web|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/11/29/tps-supt-ronald-taverner-named-opp-commissioner/|title=CityNews|date=29 November 2018 }} The appointment of Taverner brought about controversy given the personal relationship between him and Premier Doug Ford, potential nepotism, and the OPP's role in investigating political corruption.{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4754529/doug-ford-opp-ron-taverner-ombudsman-review/|title = Doug Ford's friend was named Ontario's new OPP chief. Why that's now causing political uproar | Globalnews.ca}} It was also discovered that the requirements of the position were changed to allow someone in rank equivalent to Taverner to apply. Ultimately, Taverner rescinded his interest in the position, resulting in the appointment York Regional Police Deputy Chief Thomas Carrique as the OPP's new commissioner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvo.org/article/the-ron-taverner-controversy-shows-that-sometimes-the-system-works|title = The Ron Taverner controversy shows that, sometimes, the system works}}

The Beatles's 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band contains cover art with Paul McCartney wearing an OPP patch on his fictional uniform (more easily seen in the gatefold picture). In January 2016 the origins of the patch was confirmed as a gift from an OPP corporal on 28 September 1964, at Malton Airport as the Beatles were on their way to Montreal.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2016/01/18/sgt-peppers-iconic-photos-reveal-opp-badge-on-paul-mccartneys-uniform.html|title=Sgt. Pepper's iconic photos reveal OPP badge on Paul McCartney's uniform |website=Toronto Star|date=18 January 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629152504/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2016/01/18/sgt-peppers-iconic-photos-reveal-opp-badge-on-paul-mccartneys-uniform.html|archive-date=29 June 2017|last1=Crawford|first1=Trish}}

On the online social networking website Habbo Hotel Canada, OPP officers and spokespersons visit the online application to talk to teens on board the web site's "Infobus". During the weekly sessions, users of the Habbo service are able to ask the officers and spokespersons questions, primarily regarding online safety.

In the television series Cardinal, the OPP is fictionalized as the Ontario Police Department (OPD), with a shoulder patch similar to that of the actual OPP except that the top element is replaced by three stylized maple leaves on a branch. OPP cruisers in the series are marked similar to actual cruisers, however the Queen's crown is replaced with a stylized beaver, and the vehicles are marked "O.P.D." instead of "O.P.P." In 2016, the Discovery Channel aired the reality TV series Heavy Rescue: 401, following members of the OPP and local heavy tow operators, profiling their efforts during events and routine operations on Highway 401, a highway that crosses southern Ontario.

In the Canadian horror film Pontypool, the OPP is called into the eponymous town to control a zombie outbreak, ultimately resulting in a massacre. The film's lead character, Grant Mazzy, vocally denounces the OPP's actions on the radio.

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book|last=Higley|first=Dahn|title=O.P.P.: The history of the Ontario Provincial Police Force|location=Toronto|publisher=Queen's Printer|year=1984|isbn=0-7743-8964-8}}
• {{Cite book|last=Barnes|first=Michael|title=Policing Ontario: The OPP Today|location=Erin|publisher=Boston Mills Press|year=1991|isbn=1-55046-015-3}}
• {{cite book |last1=Humphreys |first1=Adrian |title=The Weasel: A Double Life in the Mob |date=2011 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0470964514}}
• Maksymchuk, Andrew F. (2008). From MUSKEG to MURDER: Memories of Policing Ontario's Northwest. Trafford Publishing. {{ISBN|978-1-4251-7089-9}}.
• Maksymchuk, Andrew F. (2014). "Champions of the Dead": OPP Crime-fighters Seeking Proof of the Truth. FriesenPress. {{ISBN|978-1-4602-4828-7}}.

{{Commons category|Ontario Provincial Police}}

{{Wikinews|Two-thousand traffic fines laid in Ontario this weekend | Body cemented in barrel found in Toronto harbour}}

• [http://www.opp.ca/ Ontario Provincial Police Website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070117024447/http://www.roadwatch.ca/ Road Watch], was started by the Caledon, Ontario Provincial Police detachment.

{{Law enforcement agencies in Canada}}

{{ONGovDept}}

{{Ontario politics}}

{{Authority control}}

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