The Special Constables who serve with the University of Toronto Campus Safety Services are dedicated to creating a safe, secure and equitable environment for those who work, live and study on the St. A city within a city, the St. George campus is a unique university community within an urban setting. Consequently, our Special Constables are specially trained to respond to a variety of campus occur
rences with sensitivity, discretion and authority. Last year, our officers responded to over five thousand incidents as part of our commitment to providing policing services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Special Constables patrol the campus by foot, car and bicycle in order to provide a visible presence. Our officers have been sworn in by the Toronto Police Services Board as Special Constables who have been granted the authority of a police officer while on campus. While responding to calls on university property, our officers have the right to enforce federal and provincial statutes, as well as municipal by-laws. Special Constables are classified as Peace Officers who provide policing services to private institutions. Our Basic Campus Police Training is designed to provide our Special Constables with a sound knowledge of the laws and procedures that frontline officers are required to apply in the performance of their duties. Training includes but is not limited to the areas of Crime Prevention, Law Enforcement, Assistance to victims of crime, and Emergency response. In addition to this foundational training, Special Constables with the University of Toronto Campus Safety Services are also trained in the following specializations:
Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO)
Several of our frontline Special Constables have been trained by the Ontario Police College to perform Crime Scene investigations for minor incidents. These officers are educated in various areas of investigation including evidence collection procedures, fingerprinting, vehicle examination and crime scene photography. They collect and submit evidence to the Toronto Police Service Forensic Identification Service for further evaluation. General Investigation Training
Special Constables that have attended this training learn the necessary skills and knowledge to transition from the patrol function to a more advanced investigative function. This Ontario Police College training emphasizes the concepts and principles of good case management practices and the core competencies of a general investigator. Critial Incident Management System
Members of our service have also been trained in the Critical Incident Management System. In collaboration with members of the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire and Toronto EMS, our Special Constables have played an integral role in ensuring that city emergency agencies and the university speak with a common language in a time of crisis. Ongoing initiatives are allowing the University of Toronto Campus Safety Services to develop realistic plans to respond to potential crises that may face our university community. Bike Unit
The University of Toronto Campus Safety Services Bicycle Unit is comprised of nearly twenty trained officers. The flexibility of the bicycle unit allows our officers to access remote areas of the campus while building relationships with members of the campus community. All Special Constables on the Bicycle Unit have attended an intensive training course in Tactical Police Cycling.
