Part 1 describes the process for making an informal, or unofficial complaint at a local police station. This process, called “Local Resolution”, is most appropriate for minor complaints.

Part 2 describes the process for making a formal, official complaint through the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD). This process is appropriate for more serious complaints, or for complaints that cannot be resolved through the informal process. Part 2 describes the OIPRD’s Customer Service Resolution process which may help resolve complaints in a less formal process, if you and the police agree to the process.

Part 3 describes the process for OIPRD complaints to be investigated. It describes who the investigators may be, what their role is, and how and when they must report their conclusions. It describes the three ways in which a complaint will be classified at the end of an investigation – as either unsubstantiated, substantiated less serious, or substantiated serious.

Part 4 describes what happens after a complaint has been investigated, when the investigator has determined the complaint is “Substantiated Serious”. In these cases, disciplinary hearings will be conducted by police services.

Part 1: Minor Complaints Against Police in Ontario

In What Situations Can I Make a Complaint About the Police?
Minor Complaints – Option to Make an “Unofficial” Complaint
Local Resolution for Minor Complaints
Methods for Resolving Your Minor Complaint through Local Resolution
What if My Minor Complaint Doesn’t Get Resolved through Local Resolution?
How Do I Know if My Complaint is Suitable for Local Resolution?
Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Complaint?

 

Part 2: Serious Complaints Against Police in Ontario

In What Situations Can I Make a Serious Complaint About the Police?
More Serious Complaints: Official Complaint Process through the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD)
What Law Enforcement Officers Does the OIPRD Oversee or Not Oversee?
Is There a Time Limit to File an Official Complaint with the OIPRD?
Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Complaint with the OIPRD?
How Do I Make an Official Complaint?
What Process does the OIPRD Follow to Resolve my Complaint?
Dismissal
Less Serious Complaints: Customer Service Resolution through the OIPRD
Do I Have to Use the Customer Service Resolution Process if I Don’t Want to?
Do I Need a Lawyer During the Customer Service Resolution Process?
Mediation
Do I Need a Lawyer at Mediation?

Part 3: Investigation through the OIPRD

Complaints – Retained or Referred
Complaints that are Retained by the OIPRD for Investigation
Complaints that the OIPRD Refers to Another Agency to Investigate
How Long Do Investigations Take?
Will I Be Kept Informed Throughout the Investigation?
Will there Be a Written Report of the Investigation?
How Will the Investigators Decide My Complaint?
Will the Police Be Punished Yet?
Unsubstantiated Complaints or Complaints Less Serious

Part 4: OIPRD Disciplinary Hearings for Substantiated Serious Complaints

Disciplinary Hearings
Who are the People Involved in Disciplinary Hearings?
Do I Need a Lawyer When My Complaint Goes to the Disciplinary Hearing?
What Does the Hearing Officer (Judge) Do During the Hearing?
Judge’s Decision Based on Evidence
How Will the Police be Punished?
Examples of Punishments
Appeals of Disciplinary Hearing Decisions

 

How to Make a Complaint About the Police in Ontario: Part 1: Minor Complaints

In What Situations Can I Make a Complaint About the Police?

In Ontario, you can make a complaint about the police or a specific police officer if you believe they provided unsatisfactory service, mistreated someone, injured or harmed someone, damaged property, or in similar situations.

Consider whether the police’s conduct was more minor or more serious. For example, a more minor matter might be if the officer assigned to your case didn’t return your phone call within one business day, In contrast, a more serious matter would be if you believe the officer used excessive force in arresting someone.

Minor Complaints –  Option to Make an “Unofficial” Complaint

If the police’s conduct was, in your opinion, more minor, you may consider phoning or going to the police station and complaining to the officer or their supervisor. This way, they can address your complaint themselves, through a process called “Local Resolution.”

 

Local Resolution for Minor Complaints

In Ontario, the chief of police assigns an officer at every police station to handle Local Resolution, or the informal resolution of minor complaints. The assigned officer should work with you to deal with your complaint. Your complaint won’t be classified as an “official” complaint; however, the process and outcome may be sufficient to resolve the matter to your satisfaction.

Even though your complaint won’t be classified as an “official” complaint, the police are still required to follow certain rules when dealing with a complaint through Local Resolution. For example, the police are required to explain to you:

• what the Local Resolution process is,
• how the process works
• that a formal official, complaint process is also available.

In some cases, they are required to automatically escalate a complaint to the formal process.

 

Methods for Resolving Your Minor Complaint through Local Resolution:

The officer assigned at the station to handle minor complaints may use a variety of methods to resolve your complaint through Local Resolution. For example, the officer might:

• talk to you in person
• help you communicate with the officer involved
• arrange for you to meet with the officer involved
• arrange for a person who was not involved in the dispute to join the meeting to help resolve the complaint.

The police must resolve your issue within 30 days through the process of Local Resolution. If they’re not able to resolve your issue within 30 days, the police can ask the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) for more time.

If your complaint is resolved through Local Resolution, you will not need to do anything further, and you will not need to make an official complaint.

 

What if My Minor Complaint Doesn’t Get Resolved through Local Resolution?

If the police cannot resolve your complaint within 30 days, or after being given more time from the OIPRD, the police must forward your complaint to the OIPRD, where it becomes an official complaint.

Similarly, if either you or the police believe your complaint is too serious to address through Local Resolution, either you or the police can send your complaint to the OIPRD to be dealt with as an official complaint.

As mentioned above, in some cases, the police are automatically required to send your complaint to the OIPRD, such as if your matter is very serious or if the Local Resolution process cannot resolve your matter within the appropriate timeframe.

 

How Do I Know if My Complaint is Suitable for Local Resolution?

To help you decide if your complaint might be suitable for Local Resolution, and to understand your and the police’s roles and responsibilities in the process of Local Resolution, you may wish to read the booklet about Local Resolution provided by the OIPRD. It can be found at this link: https://www.oiprd.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/Local-Resolution_E.pdf

If your complaint is more serious, you can make an official complaint with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director, or OIPRD. Part 2 of this article is below and explains the complaint process through the OIPRD.

 

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Complaint?

You are not required to use a lawyer; however, if your matter is serious, you would be wise to speak with a lawyer before raising your complaint in the first place, either at the local police station or through the OIPRD.

A lawyer can advise you of your rights before and throughout the complaint process, can communicate with police on your behalf, and can discuss with you other legal issues that may or may not arise in relation to incident you are complaining about. For example, if your complaint is that you were assaulted by the police or your property was damaged, you may want to talk with the lawyer about a civil lawsuit (suing for money to compensate you for injuries or loss) or about whether criminal charges may be brought against the police.

 

How to Make a Complaint About the Police in Ontario: Part 2: Serious Complaints

In What Situations Can I Make a Serious Complaint About the Police?

In Ontario, you may make a complaint about the police or a specific police officer if you believe they provided unsatisfactory service, mistreated someone, injured or harmed someone, damaged property, or in similar situations.

Consider whether the police’s conduct was more minor or more serious. For example, a more minor matter might be if the officer assigned to your case didn’t return your phone call within one business day, In contrast, a more serious matter would be if you believe the officer used excessive force in arresting someone.

If your complaint is more minor, you may want to start with an unofficial, informal complaint directly through the local police service involved. Part 1 of this article (above) explains the informal complaint process for more minor complaints, called “Local Resolution.”

 

More Serious Complaints: Official Complaint Process through the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD)

If your complaint is more serious, you can make an official complaint with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director, or “OIPRD.” Information about the official, formal complaint process at the OIPRD can be found at this link: https://www.oiprd.on.ca/complaints/.

 

What Law Enforcement Officers Does the OIPRD Oversee or Not Oversee?

The OIPRD does not hear complaints about the following:

• Auxiliary police officers
• RCMP
• First Nations Police Officers
• Special constables such as Toronto Transit Commission, GO Transit, or campus police
• Court officers
• Provincial offenses officers
• Military police

To complain about an Auxiliary police officer, please contact the police service directly.

To complain about a special constable such as for a transit system or university, please contact the transit system or the campus authority.

To complain about an RCMP officer, please contact the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP.

To complain about a military police officer, please contact the Military Police Complaints Commission.

 

Is There a Time Limit to File an Official Complaint with the OIPRD?

It is very important that you file (submit) the complaint to the OIPRD within 6 months of the incident. If you file the complaint later than 6 months, it may not be accepted.

 

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Complaint with the OIPRD?

You are not required to use a lawyer; however, if your matter is serious, you would be wise to speak with a lawyer before raising your complaint in the first place, either at the local police station or through the OIPRD.

A lawyer can advise you of your rights before and throughout the complaints process, can communicate with police on your behalf, and can discuss with you other legal issues that may or may not arise in relation to incident you are complaining about. For example, if your complaint is that you were assaulted by the police or your property was damaged, you may want to talk with the lawyer about a civil lawsuit (suing for money to compensate you for injuries or loss) or about whether criminal charges may be brought against the police.

 

How Do I Make an Official Complaint?

You (or your lawyer) can complete the complaint either online or by paper. Both are available at the OIPRD website. You can also email OIPRDcomplaints@ontario.ca to request that they send you a paper copy of the form.

Include as much detail as possible and attach further pages as needed to ensure you’ve provided all relevant information. The complaint should address the 5 W’s such as:

• Who? Give the name of the police service (i.e. Ontario Provincial Police, Ottawa Police etc.). Also give the names of the officers involved, if you are able to obtain their names.
• Where? Give the address where the incident happened and describe the location (a house, a condo, a public park, a government building etc.).
• When? Give the date and time of the incident.
• What? Describe what happened.

File your complaint, meaning give your complaint to the OIPRD. If you complete the online complaint form, your complaint will automatically be sent to the OIPRD. As soon as you submit the form, you will be given a complaint reference number which you should make a note of for future reference.

If you complete out a paper copy of the form, ensure that you sign and date it, then scan it, and send the scan either by fax or email to the OIPRD. The fax number is 416-327-8332 and the email address is OIPRD@ontario.ca. You could also drop off your complaint form at any police station in Ontario and the police can send it to the OIPRD.

When the OIPRD receives your complaint, you will be sent a complaint reference number which you should make a note of for future reference.

 

What Process does the OIPRD Follow to Resolve my Complaint?

The OIRPD will decide how best to deal with your complaint, including whether your complaint should be:

• dismissed
• resolved using Customer Service Resolution
• resolved using mediation
• investigated more
• addressed at a disciplinary hearing.

Dismissals, Customer Service Resolution, and Mediation are described in more detail later in this article.

Investigations are described in more detail in Part 3 of this article below.

Disciplinary Hearings are described in more detail in Part 4 of this article, further below.

 

Dismissal:

The OIPRD is legally allowed to dismiss complaints that are:

• better dealt with under another act or law
• not important or unbelievable
• not in the public interest
• made more than 6 months after the incident.

 

Less Serious Complaints: Customer Service Resolution through the OIPRD:

The OIPRD may choose to deal with less serious complaints through a process called Customer Service Resolution. This process usually takes less than 45 days. During that time, you and the officers or police service involved work together to:

• understand what happened
• share concerns
• actively resolve the issues.

Here are a few examples of issues that might be resolved through Customer Service Resolution:

• the police were not polite
• the police used mild force or threats
• the police did things they aren’t allowed to do
• the police treated you unfairly
• the police caused minor or moderate damaged your property.

If everyone (including you) agrees to use the Customer Service Resolution process, a facilitator will schedule meetings or phone calls. A facilitator is a neutral person who does not take sides. The facilitator will work with you, the police officers, and the police service to come up with a resolution agreement everyone can agree to. The resolution agreement will then be given to the OIPRD. If the OIPRD approves the agreement, the complaint will be closed.

 

Do I Have to Use the Customer Service Resolution Process if I Don’t Want to?

No, you do not have to use the Customer Service Resolution Process. You, the police officers, and the police service involved must all agree that you want to use the Customer Service Resolution process to resolve the complaint. If you don’t agree, the complaint will be reviewed by the OIPRD. They will decide whether to dismiss the complaint or investigate it more.

 

Do I Need a Lawyer During the Customer Service Resolution Process?

You are not required to use a lawyer; however, you would be wise to speak with a lawyer before raising your complaint in the first place.

A lawyer can advise you of your rights before and throughout the complaints process, including Customer Service Resolution, can communicate with police on your behalf, and can discuss with you other legal issues that may or may not arise in relation to incident you are complaining about. For example, if your complaint is that you were assaulted by the police or your property was damaged, you may want to talk with the lawyer about a civil lawsuit (suing for money to compensate you for injuries or loss) or about whether criminal charges may be brought against the police.

Mediation:

If the Customer Service Resolution process is not successful, mediation may be available. The OIPRD will decide whether mediation is available and arrange for it to happen.

Do I Need a Lawyer at Mediation?

You are not required to use a lawyer; however, you would be wise to speak with a lawyer before raising your complaint in the first place, either at the local police station or through the OIPRD.

A lawyer can advise you of your rights before and throughout the complaints process including mediation, can communicate with police on your behalf, and can discuss with you other legal issues that may or may not arise in relation to incident you are complaining about. For example, if your complaint is that you were assaulted by the police or your property was damaged, you may want to talk with the lawyer about a civil lawsuit (suing for money to compensate you for injuries or loss) or about whether criminal charges may be brought against the police.

 

How to Make a Complaint About the Police in Ontario: Part 3: Investigation through the OIPRD

How a complaint is investigated depends on whether it is a conduct, policy, or service complaint. The focus of this article is on investigations of police conduct. For investigations into police policy, please see the OIPRD website.

Complaints – Retained or Referred:

Complaints about police conduct will either be:

• Retained by the OIPRD for investigation; or
• Referred to back to the police service in question for investigation (but still overseen by the OIPRD).

 

Complaints that are Retained by the OIPRD for Investigation:

When the OIPRD decides to investigate the complaint themselves, the investigation is called a “Retained Investigation”.

The OIPRD will often retain the investigation (do the investigation themselves) when it is a more serious complaint, when there are a larger number of complainants, when the process of dealing with the complaint affects public confidence in the integrity of the complaints system, when systemic or public interest issues are raised, when another agency cannot appropriately address the complaint.

If, during the investigation, the Director discovers evidence that an officer may have committed a crime, the matter must then be referred to the police for further investigation. This is because the OIPRD does not have the authority to conduct criminal investigations.

 

Complaints that the OIPRD Refers to Another Agency to Investigate:

Sometimes the OIPRD will refer a complaint to a police service, an officer in the service’s professional standards unit, or special designated police officer (i.e. where a service does not have a professional standards unit). That person or agency will then conduct the investigation, but thew OIPRD will still oversee that complaint.

OIPRD case coordinators track the referred investigation as it progresses, and coordinate with police service liaison officers, as well as complainants, to ensure that all directions, timelines and notice requirements are met. Case coordinators also receive and review interim investigative updates from the police service and work together with the OIPRD’s Legal Unit and Director if issues arise.

If the OIPRD does not agree with the way the investigation is handled, the Director can direct the chief to deal with the complaint in a specific manner, assign the investigation to another police service, take over the investigation, or take or impose any action necessary.

 

How Long Do Investigations Take?

Any officers being investigated must be given notice of a hearing within six months of the OIPRD’s decision to retain or refer the complaint for investigation.

Because of this requirement, the OIPRD aims to complete all conduct complaints within 120 days of their decision to retain or refer a complaint for investigation. However, more complex investigations often take longer than six months. In more complex investigations, time extensions must be requested from the relevant police services board.

 

Will I Be Kept Informed Throughout the Investigation?

Regardless of whether the OIPRD or a police service investigate your complaint, the investigator is expected to tell you:

• How the complaint will be investigated
• What cooperation is required from you
• How a decision will be reached
• What action will be taken at the end of the investigation.

 

Will there Be a Written Report of the Investigation?

Yes, all investigations must be reported in writing. OIPRD investigators and police investigators use the same format when reporting on conduct complaints. Investigative reports include:

• A summary of your complaint
• A summary of statements from those involved, including you the complainant, respondent officer(s), and civilian and officer witnesses
• References to any information the investigator has referred to or relied upon
• A description of the actual investigation
• Reference to code of conduct allegations, which are determined through investigation
• An analysis and conclusion of whether there are reasonable grounds to substantiate misconduct under the Police Services Act.

 

How Will the Investigators Decide My Complaint?

The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether or not there are reasonable grounds to believe police misconduct occurred, and if so, whether the misconduct was less serious, or more serious. How your complaint is dealt with, will depend how the investigator classifies your complaint.

For example, if the investigator determines there are no, or insufficient grounds to believe misconduct occurred, your complaint will be classified as “unsubstantiated” and your complaint will not proceed to be addressed. If the investigator determines there are sufficient grounds to believe misconduct occurred, your complaint will be classified as “substantiated”, and then further classified as either “less serious” or “more serious”.

This classification by the investigator does not prove your case fully and finally, but it does mean your complaint will either be dismissed (if unsubstantiated) or proceed to next steps (if substantiated).

The Police Services Act in Ontario states that there must be reasonable grounds to believe that misconduct occurred in order for a complaint to be substantiated.

Reasonable grounds are facts or circumstances of a case that would lead an ordinary and cautious person to believe that misconduct occurred. This belief must be more than a suspicion or an opinion of misconduct and must be objectively based on factual evidence.

 

Will the Police Be Punished Yet?

At the end of the investigation, your complaint will be classified as:

• Unsubstantiated
• Substantiated less serious, or
• Substantiated serious

The punishment, if any, that the police receive will depend how your complaint is classified by the investigator.

Complaints determined by the investigator to be either unsubstantiated or substantiated less serious are described in the rest of this article below.

For complaints determined by the investigator to be substantiated serious, are dealt with at a disciplinary hearing. These are described in Part 4 of this article further below.

Unsubstantiated Complaints or Complaints Less Serious

Unsubstantiated:

Complaints may be determined to be unsubstantiated if the investigator decides there are no reasonable grounds to conclude misconduct, or a violation of the police code of conduct, occurred.

 

Substantiated Less Serious:

Complaints that are determined to be substantiated but less serious will be resolved

• Informally, if everyone agrees to the informal process, or
• If not everyone agrees to an informal process, or if the informal process fails, the chief can resolve the matter through a disposition without a hearing. This means, the chief decides the appropriated method of resolution or punishment (a reprimand, suspension, or other consequence, if any), without you or the police giving evidence or testimony in person. The chief simply refers to the written investigative report and any other supporting documentation, when deciding the punishment, if any.

What if I Don’t Agree That My Complaint is “Unsubstantiated” or “Substantiated Less Serious”? Can I Appeal?

Once a complaint is determined to be unsubstantiated, or once the chief decides the appropriate method of resolution, your complaint is then considered closed and there is only a limited ability to have that decision reviewed (a.k.a. appealed, or overturned).

• If the complaint was investigated by the OIPRD, the only means to review (a.k.a. “appeal” or try to overturn) the decision is to apply to court for what is called a “judicial review.”
  • This means a court reviews the OIPRD’s decision-making – but not for the purpose of the court coming to its own conclusion. The court will simply determine whether the OIPRD exercised its authority reasonably when coming to a decision, considering all the factors the OIPRD must consider by law and according to the OIPRD’s processes.
  • The result of a judicial review is often, at best, that the court would order the OIPRD to re-review your complaint. That said, the OIPRD can certainly come to the same conclusion on re-review, again finding your complaint unsubstantiated.
  • It is very important to speak with a lawyer before attempting a judicial review (trying to “appeal”), as the procedure, deadlines, and scope of the review are quite technical by law.
• If the complaint had been referred to a police service for investigation, it may be possible to request a review of the chief’s or OPP Commissioner’s decision.

Complaints Substantiated Serious

Where the conduct is determined to be serious, the chief must hold a disciplinary hearing. Disciplinary hearings are described in Part 4 of this article below.

 

How to Make a Complaint About the Police in Ontario: Part 4: OIPRD Disciplinary Hearings for Substantiated Serious Complaints:

 

Disciplinary Hearings:

Who are the People Involved in Disciplinary Hearings?

• You (the complainant) and your lawyer (if you have one)
• The police officer and his or her lawyer (if they have one)
• The prosecutor, who is designated by the police chief or the OPP Commissioner.
• The Hearing Officer (judge) who is designated by the chief or the OPP Commissioner. The Hearing Officer (judge) can be a police officer or retired police officer, but must have the rank of inspector or higher. Judges and retired judges (of Ontario courts) may also be Hearing Officers.
• The police service, who manages and conducts the hearing (schedules it, facilitates, provides hearing staff)
• Note: the OIPRD does not manage disciplinary hearings and is not a party (not a complainant or respondent) to disciplinary hearings. However, OIPRD investigator may be called as witnesses to testify about their investigation.
• Others: Disciplinary hearings are open to the public, meaning anyone supporting you or supporting the police, as well as anyone who wants to, may attend the hearing.

 

Do I Need a Lawyer When My Complaint Goes to the Disciplinary Hearing?

You are not required to use a lawyer at this, or any prior, stage. However, you would be wise to speak with a lawyer before filing (submitting) your complaint in the first place, either at the local police station or through the OIPRD.

A lawyer can advise you of your rights before and throughout the complaints process, can communicate with police on your behalf, and can discuss with you other legal issues that may or may not arise in relation to incident you are complaining about. For example, if your complaint is that you were assaulted by the police or your property was damaged, you may want to talk with the lawyer about a civil lawsuit (suing for money to compensate you for injuries or loss) or about whether criminal charges may be brought against the police.

 

What Does the Hearing Officer (Judge) Do During the Hearing?

Hearing Officers (judges) must ensure there is procedural fairness during disciplinary hearings. This is particularly so if you do not have a lawyer to represent you at the hearing. If you are not represented by a lawyer, the Hearing Officer (judge) must:

• Confirm whether you are aware that you are entitled to be represented by a lawyer at the proceedings and whether you have waived the right to a lawyer

• Explain the roles of the people at the proceeding, the process of the hearing, the rights of each party, including your right to call witnesses, to introduce evidence, to object to evidence adduced, to cross-examine witnesses, and to make submissions on all motions and at the end of the hearing

• Explain the Hearing Officer’s (judge’s) role the proceedings

• Confirm that you understand the process and your role in it

• Ask you, at the appropriate time, if you would like to call witnesses

• Ask you, at the appropriate time, if you would like to question each of the witnesses of the prosecution and the defence

• Ask you if you would like to make submissions on all motions and at the end of the hearing 

 

Judge’s Decision Based on Evidence:

At a disciplinary hearing, the Hearing Officer (judge) must decide whether your allegations of misconduct have been proven “on clear and convincing evidence.” Evidence may be in the form of testimony from you, the officer, witnesses, documents, photographs, video, and even physical evidence like clothing or property. Clear and convincing evidence is a higher level of proof than was required at any earlier stage in the complaint process.

For example, you’ll recall that at the earlier “investigation” stage in the complaint process, discussed at Part 3 of this article, here, the OIPRD investigator had to decide whether or not there were “reasonable grounds” to believe misconduct occurred. That was a lower standard of proof.

In contrast, at this final stage – the disciplinary hearing, the Hearing Officer (judge) must evaluate the weight and credibility of the evidence and must determine that the evidence met the threshold of being clear and convincing, before deciding that there was misconduct by the police. This is a higher burden of proof.

The reason for the lower standard at the earlier stage is to ensure that reasonable complaints are not dismissed prematurely, before receiving a fair hearing. The reason for the higher standard at the final hearing stage, is because of the potential consequences to the police officer. Before disciplining a police officer, including potentially firing them, there should be a higher level of proof of misconduct.

 

How Will the Police be Punished?

Factors the Judge Will Consider:

If a police officer is found guilty of misconduct, the Hearing Officer (judge) take several factors into consideration when deciding the final penalty, including:

• Past disciplinary hearing or court decisions may be submitted by both sides as arguments for an appropriate penalty
• The police officer’s previous record and work performance
• Whether the police officer shows remorse and takes responsibility for his or her actions.

Examples of Punishments:

The Police Services Act provides guidance and lists the following penalties and measures that may be imposed:

• Reprimand
• Direction to undergo specific counselling, treatment, or training
• Direction to participate in a specified program or activity
• Forfeiture of pay or time off
• Suspension without pay
• Demotion
• Dismissal

Hearing decisions are posted on the OIPRD website.

 

Appeals of Disciplinary Hearing Decisions:

Either you or the responding police officer can appeal the findings of a disciplinary hearing within 30 days of the decision (meaning you can appeal the finding that there was or was not misconduct).

Either you or the responding police officer can ask permission to appeal the discipline imposed (meaning you can appeal the punishment if you or the police think it was too light or too harsh).

Appeals from Disciplinary Hearings are handled by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC).