Attorney General Doug W. Currie announced today that Prince Edward Island’s new Police Act and Regulations are now in effect.
“The new Police Act was proclaimed effective March 13,” said Attorney General Currie. “The new Act will modernize police services on PEI by providing a legislated framework for accountability and civilian oversight. The Act clearly sets out the responsibilities and powers of the Attorney General as chief law enforcement officer, as well as the responsibilities and powers of the provincial and municipal police services. In Prince Edward Island, the RCMP is the provincial police service.”
In addition to the new Act, four sets of regulations were also put into force: General Regulations, Training Regulations, Code of Professional Conduct and Discipline, and Use of Force Regulations.
“For the first time municipal police forces on the Island will have consistent guidance on training, professional conduct and use of force. In addition, the Province has created an annual training fund to help supplement training efforts within the municipal police forces,” said Minister Currie.
With the creation of the Office of the Police Commissioner, the Police Act also provides for civilian oversight regarding public complaints. The Office has a mandate to review decisions of municipal or community police chiefs and the director of the Atlantic Police Academy regarding complaints from the public about the conduct of officers under their command. It also has a mandate to deal with complaints from the public about allegations of unprofessional conduct by police chiefs, security police officers, and the Director of the Atlantic Police Academy.
Former Chief Justice Gerard Mitchell was appointed Police Commissioner in November 2009. “Since my appointment, I have been busy setting up an office, hiring staff and overseeing the development of our new website,” said Commissioner Mitchell. “Anyone interested in the mandate of my office should visit our website: www.policecommissioner.pe.ca. I must point out, however, that the Office of the Police Commissioner can only address complaints concerning incidents that have occurred after March 13, 2010, the date on which the Act was proclaimed.”