Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

esolved in a short period of time using resources available at the divisional level. 45
Almost all calls involving a person in crisis are level 1 emergencies.
56. Under Procedure 10-01 the first member of the Service arriving at the scene of an
emergency incident is to “take charge of the scene” and assume the “role of initial
Incident Commander.” 46 The first responding officer must assess the site and determine
an approach that minimizes risk, as well as assess the situation and notify the
Communications Operator of key details such as the type of incident, location, potential
hazards, any need for additional officers, specialized units, or supervisory officers, and
whether Emergency Medical Services or Toronto Fire Services are required. 47 This first
officer on scene also assigns officers to complete other necessary functions, such as
securing a perimeter, clearing access routes, ensuring relevant people are assisted to
safety, and performing first aid where necessary. 48
57. After being briefed by the first officer on scene, the first Supervisory Officer
responding to an incident is required to assess the need to assume the role of Incident
Commander, reassess the situation, advise the Communications Operator of any new
information, and notify the divisional officer in charge, among other things. 49
58. Procedure 10-01 also directs all members to comply with any procedure
addressing the specific incident, if applicable. Procedure 06-04 “Emotionally Disturbed
Persons” sets out procedures for situations where officers observe verbal or behavioural
cues that provide them with reasonable cause to believe a person is apparently suffering
from a “mental disorder” or is in crisis. The procedure governs police interaction with
such people under the police powers set out in the Mental Health Act, as well as any
subsequent transport and admission to psychiatric facilities made pursuant the Act. 50
Below, I discuss the specific roles that are set out in Procedure 06-04 and elsewhere for
different officers and units when responding to people in crisis.
(b) Communications Services
59. TPS Communications Services is the unit of the Service that is central to
organizing officers’ response to all calls for service. The roughly 230 Communication
Operators, who rotate between the duties of 911 call-takers and police dispatchers, are
responsible for the flow of information among officers and between different units. Calltakers
receive calls from people who dial 911 and dispatchers communicate with officers
on the ground, coordinating their efforts, directing them to incidents, and giving them
all available information. Often TPS call-takers will be the first point of contact between
a person in crisis and the police, as many people in crisis call 911 requesting help.
45
Id. at 3.
46
Id. at 6.
47
Id. at 6.
48
Id. at 6.
49
Id. at 7.
50
TPS, “Procedure 06-04”, supra note 24.
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