Governance
Board Training And Orientation

Policy No: 03/01

Date Approved: July 25, 2001

Dates Amended: March 26, 2003, November 12, 2014

Legislative Authority: Section 31 (5) of the Police Services Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 

Policy Statement

The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board (‘the Board”) recognizes that the governance of a Police Service is a significant public responsibility, and the Board strives for excellence in police governance.  The Board acknowledges that members bring a variety of competencies and skills to their position and that their contribution can be enhanced through ongoing professional development opportunities.

Therefore, it is the policy of the Board to provide ongoing education and training to Board members and to provide a comprehensive orientation program to newly appointed Board members.

The Policy requirements set out in this document shall form part of the Police Services Board Policy manual.

Statutory Authority

Section 31 (5) of the Police Services Act and the Code of Conduct for Board Members require that the Board ensure that its Members undergo any training that the Solicitor General may provide or require.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, S.O. 2005 (“AODA”) and the Board’s Accessibility Policy No. 01/13 require Board members to be trained in accordance with the regulations under the AODA.

APPLICATION AND SCOPE

  1. This policy applies to all Board members.

POLICY GUIDELINES

  1. Each newly appointed member of the York Regional Police Services Board is required to attend:

    1. any orientation sessions provided by the Executive Director in coordination with the Chief of Police and Regional Solicitor; 

    2. any training program provided by the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

  1. Within the first two years of being appointed to the Board, each member is encouraged to attend the annual conferences of the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB) and the Canadian Association of Police Governance (CAPG).

  1. The Board shall be represented by at least one member at each of the following:

    1. Annual OAPSB Conference and Fall and Spring Seminars

    2. Annual CAPG Conference and Seminars

    3. Meeting of the Big 12 Chairs and Staff meeting.

  2. All Board members must complete all AODA training provided by the Executive Director as outlined in the Board’s Accessibility Policy or provide a copy of the training certificate of completion to the Executive Director if AODA training was obtained elsewhere.

  3. As part of the Board’s development and strategic planning process, the Board will hold three training and/or strategic planning workshops each year.

OTHER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Provided the requirements have been met in the above-noted sections, and if there are sufficient funds in the annual board budget, Board members are encouraged to attend other learning and networking sessions related to policing and/or governance offered by:

    1. Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police

    2. Police Association of Ontario

    3. Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

    4. Canadian Police Association

    5. Canadian Association of Civilian Oversight and Law Enforcement

    6. Other related organizations.

MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Current or former Board Members who wish to serve as mentors to new Board members are to advise the Executive Director.

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