Author Description

In response to concerns regarding the operation & administration of the Niagara Regional Police Force, the Ontario government ordered a public inquiry into those concerns. This report presents the findings and recommendations from that inquiry, which ran from 1988 to 1992. The introduction provides background on the Region, the Force, the events leading to the inquiry, and the public hearing & consultation process. Part I covers the internal administration of the Force, including hiring & promotion, handling of property such as guns, and Force resources. Part II reviews previous investigations into the Force and other allegations regarding police misconduct. Part III covers Force management, including the process of amalgamating 11 local police forces into the Regional Police Force in 1971, the 1987 battle for control, and the Internal Investigation Team. Part IV considers the Force & its image, discussing issues related to public confidence, media relations, morale, public complaints, labour relations, and rumours. The final part discusses problems with the adversarial nature of the inquiry and presents final conclusions. Appendices include a chronology of events, lists of witnesses & exhibits, and copies of rulings made.