Police Basics

What do the police do?
In Canada, the police are separate from government and from the military. In Ontario, police services must include crime prevention, law enforcement, assistance to victims of crime, public order maintenance, and emergency response.
What are the Rules for Using and Buying Marijuana in Ontario?
All the facts you need to know about using and buying marijuana in Ontario, and what to do if you're travelling outside of Canada.
What can I do if I was seriously injured by the police?
How to report police brutality and abuse.

Who governs the police?
Police are accountable to the public and are governed by municipal, provincial, and federal government agencies.
How can I get help from the police?
If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1. If it is not an emergency, use the police non-emergency phone number.
How do I get a criminal record check?
A criminal record check is a search you can request from the police for a listing of any crimes you may have been charged with. Depending on where you live, you can contact your regional or municipal police service to apply to have a records check done.

What is an AMBER Alert?
The AMBER Alert system is set up to give you immediate and up-to-date information about child abduction (kidnapping) in your area.
Police Powers: Stops and Searches
This booklet sets out the rights of a person who is stopped, questioned, searched, arrested, or detained by the police. It also explains when the police can enter or search someone’s home.
How to Complain About a Police Officer or Police Policies in Ontario
This guide has information about how to complain about the conduct of a police officer, or the services or policies of any municipal, regional or provincial.

What do the police do?