Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

services identified in the Police Services Act, crime prevention, law enforcement,
assistance to victims of crime, public order maintenance, and emergency response. 11 The
Basic Constable Training Program uses simulation exercises, classroom discussion, and
case studies to teach skills in a range of areas, including:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
conducted energy weapons (CEWs);
community policing;
critical incident stress management;
defensive tactics;
diversity and professional practice;
ethics;
evidence;
provincial and federal statutes;
leadership;
race relations;
Special Investigations Unit; and
(l) use of force. 12
13. The recruit training curriculum at the OPC includes classroom lectures and
practical scenarios. Recruits take a course on the purposes, styles and components of
effective verbal and non-verbal communication. The three goals of police
communication are to ensure a standard professional approach, prevent conflicts from
escalating, and de-escalate situations. 13
14. New recruits are also taught conflict prevention skills, including respecting a
subject’s personal space, empathetic listening, empowering and cooperating with an
individual to find resolution options, and explaining the reasons behind an officer's
actions. 14 These skills are further explored in the OPC module on responding to people
with “mental disturbances.” The OPC instructs recruits on symptoms of mental illness
and other factors that can cause the same symptoms, communicating with people who
11
PSA, supra note 5, s. 4(2).
12
Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, “Patrol and Basic Constable Training” (2014), online: Ontario
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services .
13
Ontario Police College, “Basic Constable Training: Tactical Communication Course Training Standards” (2001) at 6 [OPC,
Communication].
14
Id. at 6, 13; Ontario Police College, “Basic Constable Training: Officer Safety Course Training Standards” (2013) at 27.
Police Encounters With People in Crisis |146