Inspector General of Policing Memorandum and Advisory Bulletin

TO:All Chiefs of Police andCommissioner Thomas CarriqueChairs, Police Service Boards 
FROM:Ryan Teschner, Inspector General of Policing of Ontario 
DATE:May 26, 2025 
SUBJECT:Inspector General Memo #5: Release of the Inspector General of Policing’s first Spotlight Report, Policing Protests and Major Events: Public Order Maintenance in Ontario  

I am pleased to announce the release of my first provincial Spotlight Report, Policing Protests and Major Events: Public Order Maintenance in OntarioThis report provides my assessment of the current state of public order policing, while advancing recommendations that, I believe, will improve policing performance and governance concerning public order maintenance functions in the province. In line with the Inspectorate of Policing’s (IoP) commitment to transparency, and to enhance the public’s understanding of key aspects of policing delivery, the Spotlight Report is available on the IoP’s website. I would ask that you share this Spotlight Report with members of your organization and others within the policing sector, both in Ontario and beyond, that would find it of interest.

Between May 2023 and February 2024, the IoP conducted an inspection to ensure compliance with provincial Public Order Maintenance requirements, focusing specifically on public order unit (POU) standards by all municipal police services, boards and the OPP. This inspection was conducted under the former Police Services Act, prior to the implementation of the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) and the coming into force of the Inspector General’s statutory mandate. However, given the continued relevance of the inspection’s analysis to the policing sector and Ontario government, I am pleased to share our findings. These findings have been published in a broader, Ontario-wide context along with 12 recommendations that focus on the shared responsibility of police services, police service boards, and the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, to further strengthen Ontario’s public order system.

Overall, I conclude that the state of public order policing in Ontario is strong. Ontario POUs have proven themselves to be generally responsive to emerging and evolving conditions, where they can deploy effectively in both planned and unplanned circumstances. Based on the inspection findings, identified trends in public order policing, and applying a CSPA-compliance lens, I also identify areas that merit attention in order to strengthen Ontario’s position as a national leader in this space.

I would like to extend my appreciation to Ontario’s policing sector, including all chiefs of police and police service board members that participated or facilitated their organization’s participation in this inspection. I would also like to extend a special thanks to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), including members of the public order policing system that were engaged by the OACP, and the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards for their constructive engagement throughout the IoP’s work. This invaluable cooperation and commendable patience have contributed to a report that, I believe, accurately assesses the state of public order policing and charts a path to keep the province’s system strong and responsive to public safety needs. 

Sincerely,

Ryan Teschner

Inspector General of Policing of Ontario

c: Mario Di Tommaso, O.O.M. 

    Deputy Solicitor General, Community Safety