Adequacy Standards
Sexual Assault Investigation

Policy No: 02/00-36

Date Approved: July 26, 2000

Date Reviewed: 2010, 2018

Dates Amended: March 21, 2018

Reporting Requirements: In accordance with internal auditing process

Legislative Authority:  Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, and c.P.15, as amended. s. 31(1); Adequacy Standards Regulation O. Reg. 3/99. S. 12(1)(r) and S.29 

Related Board Policy:  Audit Policy No. 01/08, amended June 2014.

1. Purpose

  1. Section 29 of the Adequacy Standards Regulation requires a police services board to have a policy on investigations into sexual assaults.

  2. In addition, section 12(1)(r) requires the Chief of Police to develop and maintain procedures on and processes for undertaking and managing investigations into sexual assaults.

2. Policy Requirements

It is the policy of the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board with respect to sexual assault investigations that the Chief of Police will:

  1. develop and maintain procedures and processes that: 

    1. require that investigations be undertaken and managed in accordance with the police service’s criminal investigation management plan;

    2. require compliance with the procedures set out in the Ministry’s designated Ontario Major Case Management Manual;

    3. address communications and dispatch, initial response and investigations relating to sexual assaults; 

    4. address community notification; 

  2. work, where possible, with hospitals and agencies which provide services to victims of sexual assault, including Sexual Assault Treatment Centres, Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centres and Victim Services,  as well as the local Crown, to ensure a co-ordinated and effective response to victims of sexual assaults; and

  3. address training for officers and other appropriate members on the response to sexual assault occurrences, including victims’ assistance.

3. Reporting Requirements

  1. As part of the statistical reports, the Chief of Police shall report to the Board on sexual assault incidents and the clearance rates.
  2. The Chief of Police shall report on compliance with this policy in accordance with the Board's Audit Policy No. 01/08.
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