User:WildComet/sandbox/Special constable (Ontario)

In Ontario, a special constable is a law enforcement officer who is granted all or some of the powers of a police officer. Under the Ontario Police Services Act, special constables are appointed by police services boards or the commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police; the extent of a special constable's authority is set out in their appointment.

Appointment and powers
A special constable agency general enters into an agreement with the local police services board which outlines the conditions of appointments. These agreements typically stipulate the duration of the agreement, specific laws which the special constables will be authorized to enforce, circumstances of enforcement, and the geographic extent of a special constable's jurisdiction. Issues such as transport of persons in custody, equipment use, reporting requirements as well as investigation of complaints are also outlined in agreements.

Function
Special constables are appointed to perform a variety of functions such as providing policing in a public transit system or on a university campus, providing security in public housing, government buildings or courts, directing traffic, or to exercise a specific power of a police officer.