The Ontario Provincial Police will manage the Provincial Bail Compliance Dashboard
The Ontario government has launched the Provincial Bail Compliance Dashboard that will enable police to track, collate, and disclose information on individuals on bail for firearms-related offences.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will manage the dashboard, which was developed as a situational awareness and investigative tool. A phased operational release has been initiated with the OPP, Guelph Police Service, York Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police Service and Toronto Police Service (TPS).
“Addressing gun violence remains a top priority for the Toronto Police Service, and this tool allows us to consolidate and analyze data,” TPS chief Myron Demkiw said.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique explained that the tool would help Ontario police to determine whether high-risk and repeat violent offenders are complying with bail conditions for firearms-related offences, boosting public and officer safety.
“This frontline tool elevates situational awareness for officers to help keep them and our communities safe as well as prevent further victimization,” Carrique said in a press release, adding that the tool marked “a groundbreaking shift in public safety.”
Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police president, said that ensuring offender accountability and compliance with release conditions was “paramount.” The announcement was also lauded by the Police Association of Ontario.
“The dashboard will lead to increased collaboration between police services throughout the province and give more information to police service members to better protect our communities. Initiatives like this demonstrate a commitment to community safety and the importance of supporting front-line officers in their efforts to keep our communities safe,” Police Association of Ontario President Mark Baxter said.
The Provincial Bail Compliance Dashboard represents part of the government’s $112 million investment into the enhancement of bail monitoring efforts. Other initiatives include the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension Grant, the Bail Compliance Unit under the OPP-led Provincial Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Squad, and the introduction of Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams into the court system.
“Complying with bail and court-ordered conditions is not optional – it is mandatory to keep our streets safe,” said Graham McGregor, associate minister of auto theft and bail reform, in a statement. “The hardworking people of Ontario deserve to live without fear of having a gun shoved in their face to rob them or steal their car, and our government is giving police the tools they need to monitor high-risk offenders for firearms offences and prevent further crime.”
