Ottawa Police Services Board

Members of the public may file complaints about:
- the conduct of police officers,
- the adequacy and effectiveness of policing provided by the police service, the procedures of the police service, or the policies of the Board,
- the conduct of special constables, or
- Members of the Ottawa Police Service Board.

This page provides information on how to file complaints about each of the above.

This page also includes more detailed descriptions regarding the mandates of Inspectorate of Policing as well as the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency.

Complaints about the Conduct of Police Officers

For information on how to file a formal complaint about the conduct of a police officer, please visit the website of the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency.

The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) is a civilian arms-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, whose decisions are independent from the Ontario government, the police and the community. LECA is responsible for receiving, managing, and overseeing public complaints about misconduct of police officers. Complaint forms can be accessed on the LECA website, at all police stations, Service Ontario locations and at many community centres and legal clinics.

Contact LECA:

Email: leca@ontario.ca 

Toll-free at 1-877-411-4773 (TTY:  1-877-414-4773)

Local phone:  416-246-7071

Complaints about the Adequacy and Effectiveness of Policing Provided by the Police Service, the Procedures of the Police Service, or the Policies of the Board

Complaints about the adequacy and effectiveness of policing provided by the police service, the procedures of the police service, or the policies of the Board can be filed with the Inspector General of Policing.

The Inspector General of Policing, supported by staff at the Inspectorate of Policing (IOP), operates at an arm’s-length from the provincial government and serves the public interest by promoting accountability in the policing sector through inspections, investigations and advisory services.  In addition to other types of complaints accepted, the IOP has the authority to handle complaints about the policies and services provided by OPS.  A complaint form can be accessed on the IOP website.

Contact IOP:

Email: IOPComplaints@ontario.ca

Toll-free at 1-888-333-5078
Local phone:  416-314-4130

Complaints about the Conduct of Special Constables

All complaints made about special constables employed by the OPS may be sent to PSS@ottawapolice.ca. Complaints related to special constables employed by another organization must be submitted to the organization in question.

Complaints about Members of the Ottawa Police Service Board

Board members are governed by a Code of Conduct (CSPA, 2019, O.Reg. 408/23) which establishes a minimum standard of conduct for Board Members.

In accordance with section 106 of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, any person who believes that a member of a police service board has committed misconduct may make a complaint to the Inspector General of Policing.

About the Inspectorate of Policing

The Inspector General of Policing is a new policing oversight body under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA). The Inspector General is responsible for ensuring policing is delivered adequately and effectively across Ontario and that police board members are complying with the Code of Conduct. The Inspector General exercises independent compliance oversight focused on ensuring police services, police service boards and board members, and special constable employers are complying with requirements under the CSPA for policing and police governance.

The Inspector General of Policing is supported by the Inspectorate of Policing, a new organization comprised of professionals that are dedicated to driving improved performance in Ontario policing and police governance.

Members of the public can file complaints with the Inspector General concerning adequate and effective police service delivery, or allegations of police board member misconduct through our website: www.iopontario.ca.

Under Ontario’s new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), the Inspector General of Policing is responsible for:

•  Responding to public complaints, which can be filed at www.iopontario.ca, concerning adequate and effective police service delivery and allegations of police board member misconduct;

•  Examining the performance of police services and boards through independent inspections, investigations, monitoring and advising;

•  Identifying effective performance and, where improvements are needed, using enforcement tools, including issuing directions and imposing measures to ensure compliance with the CSPA and its regulations;

•  Imposing measures to ensure the provision of adequate and effective policing or in cases of a policing emergency;

•  Conducting data analysis and research to promote evidence-based actions and improvements; and,

•  Publicly reporting on the activities of the Inspector General, including publishing all inspection reports and an annual report.

About the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency

Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) – formerly known as the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) – is responsible for receiving, managing and overseeing public complaints about misconduct of police officers. LECA accepts complaints about the conduct of the following:

• All municipal, regional, and provincial (OPP) police officers;
• Special Constables employed by the Niagara Parks Commission;
• Peace Officers in the Legislative Protective Service; and
• First Nations police officers if the police service opts into the CSPA.

As a civilian arm’s-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, their decisions are independent from the Ontario government, the police, and the community.

LECA no longer has jurisdiction over policing policy, service and complaints regarding members of police service boards. The Inspectorate of Policing will review matters involving the adequacy and effectiveness of police services.

In addition, LECA has the authority to initiate an investigation in the absence of a public complaint if it is in the public interest to do so. They also retain the ability to conduct systemic reviews of matters that are related to police misconduct.