View source for Investigative Detention

{{Currency|January 2021}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderArrest}}
==General Principles==
{{seealso|Reasonable Suspicion|Warrantless Arrests}}

The police have a common law right to detain people for investigative purposes. The need for such a power will be for purposes generally related to asking questions concerning time-sensitive issues.

Certain legislation also grants additional powers to police to detain for investigative purposes. Most significantly, there are powers to detain for investigating [[Conveyance Offences]] or provincial motor vehicle Act violations. 

"Preliminary investigative questioning" that cause "momentarily delay" will generally not be subject to the rules of investigative detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Suberu|24kx4|2009 SCC 33 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 460}}{{perSCC|McLachlin C.J. and Charron J}}
</ref>

Police may detain a person for investigative purposes where "there are reasonable grounds to suspect in all the circumstances that the individual is connected to a particular crime and that such a detention is necessary."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mann|1hmp1|2004 SCC 52 (CanLII)|[2004] 3 SCR 59}}{{perSCC|Iacobucci J}}{{atL|1hmp1|45}}
</ref>

The requirement that the detention be "reasonably necessary" is based on the "totality of the of the circumstances". The nature and extent of the interference with liberty must be one that is "necessary" in light of the duties being executed.<ref>
{{ibid1|Mann}}{{atL|1hmp1|34}} ("The detention must be viewed as reasonably necessary on an objective view of the totality of the circumstances...most notably the extent to which the interference with individual liberty is necessary to perform the officer’s duty, the liberty interfered with, and the nature and extent of that interference, in order to meet the second prong of the Waterfield test.")<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Dedman|1ftwf|1985 CanLII 41 (SCC)|[1985] 2 SCR 2}}{{perSCC|Le Dain J}}{{atp|35}} ("The interference with liberty must be necessary for the carrying out of the particular police duty and it must be reasonable, having regard to the nature of the liberty interfered with and the importance of the public purpose served by the interference.")<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Clayton|1rxzv|2007 SCC 32 (CanLII)|[2007] 2 SCR 725}}{{perSCC|Abella J}}{{atsL|1fxzv|25| to 26}}<br>
</ref>

; Prohibited Purposes
Police are not permitted to detain anyone for the purpose of "ferreting out criminal activity" or to determine if someone is "up to no good". There must be "particularized" suspicion relating to specific criminal activity.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Yeh|25zgf|2009 SKCA 112 (CanLII)|248 CCC (3d) 125}}{{perSKCA|Richards JA}}{{atL|25zgf|75}} ("It is, of course, well established that the police do not enjoy a general power to detain individuals for the purpose of ferreting out possible criminal activity.  More particularly, they may not conduct an investigative detention to determine whether an individual is, in some broad way, “up to no good.” In order to justify an investigative detention, the police suspicion must be particularized, i.e. it must relate to specific criminal wrongdoing.")<br>
</ref>
[[Image:Detention.png|thumb|500px|Types of Detention]]
; Detention Defined
A person is detained where their liberty is deprived through "physical constraint" or where "the state assumes control over the movement of a person by demand ord direction which may have a significant legal consequence and which prevents or impedes access to counsel".<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Therens|1fv11|1985 CanLII 29 (SCC)|[1985] 1 SCR 613}}{{atps|503 to 504}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Bazinet|1npmt|1986 CanLII 108 (ON CA)|25 CCC (3d) 273}}{{perONCA|Tarnopolsky JA}}<br>
</ref>

; No Right to Flee Police
The right against arbitrary detention under s. 9 of the Charter does not extend to a free-standing right to flee.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Jackson|fqzs3|2011 ONSC 5516 (CanLII)|OJ No 6394}}{{perONSC|Code J}}{{atsL|fqzs3|62| to 64}}<br>
</ref>

; Sufficiency of Belief <ref>
see also [[Reasonable Suspicion]]</ref><br>
An officer's "grounds to believe" an offence has been committed will fall short of being "objectively reasonable and probable" allowing for an arrest. If the officer instead has a "reasonable suspicion" that the suspect was involved in a criminal offence, it may be enough to justify investigative detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Cunsolo|20wwp|2008 CanLII 48640 (ON SC)|[2008] OJ No 3754 (SCJ)}}{{perONSC|Hill J}} - summary of rules of arrest and detention<br>
{{CanLIIRx|DLW|fts53|2012 BCSC 1700 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Romilly J}}{{atL|fts53|31}}
</ref>

; Detention vs Warrantless Arrest
The power of investigative detention is an authority to prohibit a person from departing the location in which they are found. Arrest however is a more invasive restriction on liberty where the peace officer is permitted to take custody of the person and transport them as needed. 

Section 495(2) requires that an officer not arrest a suspect unless there is reason to do so. Reasons include:<ref>
see [[Warrantless Arrests]]
</ref>
* to establishing identity 
* reasonable belief that the offence may continue or be repeated if not arrested
* reasonable belief that evidence may be lost if not arrested

; Appellate Review
Whether someone was unlawfully detained under s. 9 of the Charter is a question of law and is reviewable on a standard of correctness.<ref> 
{{supra1|Shepherd}}{{at|20}}</ref>

The existence of reasonable suspicion is a question of law and reviewed on a correctness standard.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Chehil|g0qbs|2013 SCC 49 (CanLII)|[2013] 3 SCR 220}}{{perSCC|Karakatsanis J}}{{atL|g0qbs|60}}
</ref>

; History
In earlier cases, the term used was adopted from US law of "articulable cause", which later was changed to "reasonable grounds to detain."<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Buchanan|j6chf|2020 ONCA 245 (CanLII)}}{{perONCA|Fairburn JA}}{{atL|j6chf|30}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Suspected Connection to Crime===
Lawful detention must be in relation to a (1) "recent or on-going criminal offence" that is (2) connected to the detainee.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mann|1hmp1|2004 SCC 52 (CanLII)|[2004] 3 SCR 59}}{{perSCC|Iacobucci J}}{{atL|1hmp1|34}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Bramley|239md|2009 SKCA 49 (CanLII)|67 CR (6th) 293}}{{perSKCA|Richards JA}}
</ref>
The crime must be ''known'' by the officer. It is not sufficient if the crime is merely suspected.<ref>
{{ibid1|Bramley}}{{atsL|239md|29| to 34}}</ref>

The suspicion formed must include a "clear nexus" between the detainee and the criminal offence under investigation.<ref>
{{supra1|Mann}}{{atL|1hmp1|34}} ("The detention must be viewed as reasonably necessary on an objective view of the totality of the circumstances, informing the officer's suspicion that there is a clear nexus between the individual to be detained and a recent or on-going criminal offence.")<br>
</ref>

The investigation must be based on a "reasonable suspicion" that the individual is "implicated" or "connected" to particular criminal activity under investigation for it to be considered lawful.<ref>
{{supra1|Mann}}{{atL|1hmp1|34}}</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==="Reasonably Necessary"===
Investigative detention is permissible only so long as it is "reasonably necessary" in the "totality of the circumstances."<ref>
{{supra1|Clayton}}{{atsL|1rxzv|25| to 26}}, {{atsL-np|1rxzv|30| to 31}}
</ref>
What is reasonably necessary will depend on the "nature of the situation" such as:<ref>
{{ibid1|Clayton}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Barclay|hq8dq|2018 ONCA 114 (CanLII)|44 CR (7th) 134}}{{perONCA|Hoy ACJ}}{{atL|hq8dq|31}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Godoy|1fqpk|1999 CanLII 709 (SCC)|[1999] 1 SCR 311}}{{perSCC|Lamer CJ}}{{atL|1fqpk|18}} ("[T]he justifiability of an officer's conduct depends on a number of factors including the duty being performed, the extent to which some interference with individual liberty is necessitated in order to perform that duty, the importance of the performance of that duty to the public good, the liberty interfered with, and the nature and extent of the interference.")<br>
{{supra1|Clayton}}{{{atsL|1rxzv|25| to 26}}, {{atsL-np|1rxzv|30| to 31}}
</ref>
* intrusiveness of the detention
* Nature or seriousness of the offence,
* complexity of the investigation,
* any immediate public or individual safety concerns,
* the ability of the police to continue the investigation without continuing the detention of the suspect,
* the lack of diligence of the police,
* the lack of immediate availability of investigative tools,
* the information known to the police about the suspect or the crime, and 
* the extent to which the detention was reasonably responsive or tailored to these circumstances, including its geographic and temporal scope. 

{{reflist|2}}

==Duration of Detention==
The detention starts at the moment that the officer's conduct causes the detainee to reasonably believe they no longer have the options to leave.<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Suberu|24kx4|2009 SCC 33 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 460}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}{{AtL|24kx4|22}}<br>
</ref>

The total duration will depend on how long it is "reasonably necessary". However, it should be "must be of brief duration".<ref>
{{supra1|Mann}}{{atL|1hmp1|22}}
</ref>

An officer who is not detaining or no longer wishes to detain the suspect must clearly communicate to the suspect that they are free to go.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Tran|2bbvp|2010 ABCA 211 (CanLII)|258 CCC (3d) 19}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{atL|2bbvp|30}}</ref>There must be both an objective and subjective belief on the part of the suspect that they are still detained for there to be an unlawful detention. <ref>Tran</ref>

Detention that last beyond what is necessary may violate s. 9 for arbitrary detention.

The decision to detain a person overnight when arrested for impaired driving can result in a violation of section 9 of the charter with the remedy of a stay of proceedings under section 24 (1).<ref>
e.g. {{CanLIIRP|Holbrook|215c2|2008 SKPC 133 (CanLII)|76 MVR (5th) 256}}{{perSKPC|Harradence J}}
</ref>

; Duration in Holding Cells
Police have statutory authority to hold someone after arrest for up to 24 hours.<ref>
see [[Initial Post-Charge Detention]]
</ref>
However, holding accused cells after arrest, beyond what would be legitimately necessary has resulted in a violation of s. 9 and may permit a stay of proceedings.<ref>
e.g. {{CanLIIRP|Poletz|g34r1|2014 SKCA 16 (CanLII)|307 CCC (3d) 254}}{{perSKCA|Caldwell JA}} - holding in cell for 12 hours due to "convenience" or "lack of resources" violated s. 9, but stay order was overturned</ref>

; De Facto Arrest
An investigative detention can be of such duration that it becomes a de facto arrest.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Greaves|1hv67|2004 BCCA 484 (CanLII)|189 CCC (3d) 305}}{{perBCCA|Lowry JA}}{{atL|1hv67|37}} ("The detention must also be reasonably necessary in all the circumstances.  Iacobucci J. indicated that, generally, this means an investigative detention will be “of brief duration” (¶ 22) and cannot become a “de facto” arrest (¶ 35)")<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Strilec|29d54|2010 BCCA 198 (CanLII)|[2010] BCJ No 699}}{{perBCCA|Ryan JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Orr|2f343|2010 BCCA 513 (CanLII)|[2010] BCJ No 2576}}{{perBCCA|Low JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Madore & Madeira|fqzrs|2012 BCCA 160 (CanLII)|320 BCAC 65}}{{perBCCA|Finch CJ}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Trieu|2dns1|2010 BCCA 540 (CanLII)|272 CCC (3d) 237}}{{perBCCA|Prowse JA}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Right Against Arbitrary Detention==
{{seealso|Warrantless Arrests#Right Against Unlawful Arrest}}

Section 9 of the Charter prohibits arbitrary detention. Under the header "Detention or imprisonment" the Charter states:
{{quotation1|
9.	  Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.
|[http://canlii.ca/t/ldsx CCRF]
}}

; Purpose of Charter Right
The "purpose of s. 9, broadly put, is to protect individual liberty from unjustified state interference"<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Grant|24kwz|2009 SCC 32 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 353}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}{{atL|24kwz|20}}</ref>
Thus "a detention in the absence of at least reasonable suspicion is unlawful and therefore arbitrary within s. 9"<ref>
{{ibid1|Grant}}{{atL|24kwz|55}}</ref>

; Burden of Proof
The burden is upon the applicant to prove that the accused was "detained" within the meaning of s. 9 which must be proven on a balance of probabilities.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Bush|2c2z2|2010 ONCA 554 (CanLII)|259 CCC (3d) 127}}{{perONCA|Durno J}}{{atL|2c2z2|74}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|LB|1srnc|2007 ONCA 596 (CanLII)|227 CCC (3d) 70}}{{perONCA|Moldaver JA}}{{atL|1srnc|60}}
</ref>

; "Arbitrary"
Detention is "arbitrary" where it "bears no relation to, or is inconsistent with the law which founds the state action" under common law or statute.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Whipple|gssp6|2016 ABCA 232 (CanLII)|39 Alta LR (6th) 1}}{{TheCourtABCA}} leave refused<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Vuozzo|fx375|2013 ABCA 130 (CanLII)|544 AR 271}}{{TheCourtABCA}} leave refused<br>
</ref>

The term "arbitrary" should not be considered distinguishable from "unlawful."<ref>
{{supra1|Grant}} ("Earlier suggestions that an unlawful detention was not necessarily arbitrary... have been overtaken by Mann")<br>
cf. {{supra1|Whipple}}{{atL|gssp6|47}} ("...the framers of the Charter can be taken to have understood the distinction between “illegal” and “arbitrary”. ... it is hard to believe that the framers of the Charter thought “illegal” and “arbitrary” were identical notions.")<br>
</ref>
{{reflist|2}}

==Consequences of Detention==

; Police Obligations Upon Detention
Once detailed the officer is obligated to inform the individual in "clear and simple language" of the reasons for detention.<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mann|1hmp1|2004 SCC 52 (CanLII)|[2004] 3 SCR 59}}<br>
See [[Right to be Informed of Reasons for Arrest or Detention]]
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Right to Counsel===
''See also [[Arrest Procedure#Right to Silence|Right to Silence]] and [[Right to Counsel]]''

They are also obligated to their right to retain and instruct counsel.<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Suberu|24kx4|2009 SCC 33 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 460}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Manninen|1ftmx|1987 CanLII 67 (SCC)|[1987] 1 SCR 1233}}{{perSCC|Lamer J}}
</ref>

The obligation is engaged immediately upon detention, subject to any exceptions such as exigent circumstances or officer safety.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Suberu|24kx4|2009 SCC 33 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 460}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}
</ref>

So long as there is no detention, the police are entitled to question a person without advising of any right to counsel, even if they intend to arrest that person. <ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Esposito|1npms|1985 CanLII 118 (ON CA)|49 CR (3d) 193}}{{perONCA-H|Martin JA}} leave refused [1986] 1 SCR viii (SCC)
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Search Incident to Detention==
* [[Search Incident to Investigative Detention|Search Incident to Detention]]

==Types of Detention==
A detention is where a "state agent, by way of physical or psychological restraint, takes away an individual's choice simply to walk away." This can include "any form of 'compulsory restraint'".<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Grant|24kwz|2009 SCC 32 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 353}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}{{atL|24kwz|25}}<br>
</ref>

A person becomes detained where he "submits or acquiesces in the deprivation of liberty and reasonably believes that the choice to do otherwise does not exist."<ref>
{{ibid1|Grant}}{{atL|24kwz|25}}<br>
{{supra1|Therens}}{{atp|644}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Voss|gbvh3|1989 CanLII 7167 (ON CA)|71 CR (3d) 178}}{{perONCA|Tarnopolsky JA}}
</ref>

Detention is determined on an objective test: "having regard to the entire interaction, with the actions of the police cause a reasonable person in the position of the suspect to conclude that he or she is not free to go, and must comply with the directions of the police"<ref> 
{{CanLIIRx|BS|g7qvn|2014 BCCA 257 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Neilson JA}}<br>
</ref>Factors to consider include the "circumstances of the encounter, the nature of the police conduct in the particular characteristics or circumstances of the individual."<ref>
{{ibid1|BS}}<br>
</ref>

A person can be detained physically or psychologically.

; Psychological Detention
Psychological detention is where "the individual has a legal obligation to comply with the restrictive request or demand, or a reasonable person who conclude ...that he ... had no choice but to comply."<ref>
{{supra1|Grant}}{{atL|24kwz|44}}<br>
</ref>

A person who is delayed or kept waiting by police is not necessarily psychologically detained.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mann|1hmp1|2004 SCC 52 (CanLII)|[2004] 3 SCR 59}}{{perSCC|Iacobucci J}}{{atp|19}}<br>
{{supra1|BS}}{{atsL|g7qvn|16|}}, {{AtsL-np|g7qvn|31|}}<br>
<br>
</ref>

; Elements of Psychological Detention
Psychological detention has three elements:  
#a police direction or demand; 
#the individual’s voluntary compliance with the direction or demand resulting in a deprivation of liberty or other serious legal consequences; and 
# the individual’s reasonable belief that there is no choice but to comply<ref> 
{{CanLIIRP|Grant|1ng1v|2006 CanLII 18347 (ON CA)|209 CCC (3d) 250}}{{perSCC|Laskin JA}}{{atsL|1ng1v|8|}} and {{atsL-np|1ng1v|28|}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Nesbeth|2065l|2008 ONCA 579 (CanLII)|238 CCC (3d) 567}}{{perONCA|Rosenberg JA}}{{atsL|2065l|15| to 17}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Harris|1smfn|2007 ONCA 574 (CanLII)|225 CCC (3d) 193}}{{perONCA|Doherty JA}}{{atL|1smfn|17}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Suberu|24kx4|2009 SCC 33 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 460}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}{{atsL|24kx4|23| to 35}}<br>
</ref>

Detention by police does not continue subsequent to release on terms of bail, and so entitlements such as the right to silence do not apply.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Earhart|fp43q|2011 BCCA 490 (CanLII)|313 BCAC 226}}{{perBCCA|Bennett JA}}</ref>

; Reasonableness
A personable person is not expected to understand the law of police powers and may be reasonably mistaken as to the police's authority.<Ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Le|j0nvf|2019 SCC 34 (CanLII)|375 CCC (3d) 431}}<!--not published in SCRs-->{{perSCC|Brown and Martin JJ}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Therens|1fv11|1985 CanLII 29 (SCC)|[1985] 1 SCR 613}}{{perSCC|Le Dain J}} (dissenting) ("most citizens are not aware of the precise limits of police authority" and could reasonably "assume lawful authority and comply with the demand")<br>
</ref>

; Concurrent Reasons Permitted
The purpose for detention can have concurrent reasons, such as conducting traffic enquiries while making observations of drug related offences.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Harding|2b3lw|2010 ABCA 180 (CanLII)|256 CCC (3d) 284}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{atL|2b3lw|18}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Yague|1lcsj|2005 ABCA 140 (CanLII)|371 AR 286}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{atsL|1lcsj|7| to 9}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Nolet|2b8jp|2010 SCC 24 (CanLII)|[2010] 1 SCR 851}}{{perSCC|Binnie J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Hugh|g86b9|2014 BCSC 1426 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Schultes J}} - Police may have dual purpose in performing a lawful stop<br>
</ref>

; Vague "hunches" are Insufficient
An officer cannot detain a suspect on the basis of a hunch.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mann|1hmp1|2004 SCC 52 (CanLII)|[2004] 3 SCR 59}}{{perSCC|Iacobucci J}}{{atsL|1hmp1|34| to 35}} <br>
{{CanLIIRP|Harrison|24kx5|2009 SCC 34 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 494}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ}}{{atL|24kx5|20}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Public Encounters==
Stopping a person will not always amount to detention. <ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Grafe|1p77c|1987 CanLII 170 (ON CA)|36 CCC (3d) 267}}{{perONCA|Krever JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Hall|6jv0|1995 CanLII 647 (ON CA)|22 OR (3d) 289}}{{perONCA|Osborne JA}}</ref> 
Not "every stop for purposes of identification, or even interview" will be a detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mann|1hmp1|2004 SCC 52 (CanLII)|[2004] 3 SCR 59}}{{perSCC|Iacobucci J}}<br>
</ref>
It is only where there is either physical restraint or police direction. <ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Grant|24kwz|2009 SCC 32 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 353}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}{{atL|24kwz|30}}</ref>

An officer may only stop a person for "legal reasons". There must be a lawful reason for stopping a person such as in a motor vehicle situation to check their license and insurance, sobriety and fitness of the vehicle.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Ladouceur|5k1p|2002 SKCA 73 (CanLII)|165 CCC (3d) 321}}{{perSKCA|Jackson JA}}</ref>

A "preliminary encounter" between an officer and the public where identification is requested does not amount to a detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Jackson|fqzs3|2011 ONSC 5516 (CanLII)|OJ No 6394}}{{perONSC|Code J}}{{atL|fqzs3|49}}<br>
{{supra1|Grafe}}<br>
{{supra1|Hall}} at 295 (cited to OR)<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Grant|1ng1v|2006 CanLII 18347 (ON CA)|209 CCC (3d) 250}}{{perONCA|Laskin JA}}{{atsL|1ng1v|13|}} and {{atsL-np|1ng1v|29|}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Harris|1smfn|2007 ONCA 574 (CanLII)|225 CCC (3d) 193}}{{perONCA|Doherty JA}}{{atL|1smfn|42}}<br>
</ref>
The officer needs no grounds at all to ask such questions.<ref>
{{supra1|Grafe}}{{atps|271 and 274}}<br>
</ref>

There is generally a presumption that "preliminary non-coercive questions", such as requests for identification, are not a form of detention.<ref>
{{supra1|Jackson}}{{atL|fqzs3|51}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Suberu|24kx4|2009 SCC 33 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 460}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}{{atsL|24kx4|23| to 35}}<br>
</ref>
The line will often be crossed once more "coercive" steps are taken.<ref>
{{supra1|Jackson}}{{atL|fqzs3|51}}<br>
</ref> 

Detention will arise where there is a "significant deprivation of liberty" that is "focused", as opposed to simply a "delay” arising from “exploratory” questioning.<ref>
{{supra1|Jackson}}{{atL|fqzs3|52}}<br>
{{supra1|Suberu}}{{atsL|24kx4|23| to 35}}<br>
</ref>

A simple pat-down will not necessarily amount to a detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Simmons|1ftcb|1988 CanLII 12 (SCC)|[1988] 2 SCR 495}}{{perSCC|Dickson CJ}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Questioning===
An officer may only ask questions that are justifiable in the situation.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Ladouceur|5k1p|2002 SKCA 73 (CanLII)|165 CCC (3d) 321}}{{perSKCA|Jackson JA}} </ref>
This would depend on the context of the questioning. In a motor vehicle stop, an officer may only ask questions regarding the legality of the operation of the motor vehicle. Anything beyond that requires reasonable grounds before engaging in the questions.<ref>
Ladouceur</ref>
Any evidence obtained by questions that do law relate to the situation and do not have reasonable grounds will violate s. 8 and 9 of the Charter.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mellenthin|1fs79|1992 CanLII 50 (SCC)|[1992] 3 SCR 615}}{{perSCC|Cory J}} - an investigation that went beyond issues of highway safety violated Charter</ref>

Police questioning a young accused for the purpose of forming grounds to administer the roadside screening test need not comply with s. 146 of the YCJA requiring police to wait for counsel or adult to attend.<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|PD|2373f|2009 CanLII 18220 (ONSC)}}{{perONSC|Fuerst J}}{{atL|2373f|28}}
</ref>
{{reflist|2}}

===Answering Questions===
There is no legal duty upon a person to identify himself to a police officer in ''every'' situation.<ref> 
{{CanLIIRP|Moore|1z76c|1978 CanLII 160 (SCC)|[1979] 1 SCR 195}}{{perSCC|Spence J}}<br> see also ''Rice v Connelly'', [1966] 2 ALL E.R. 649 (House of Lords)</ref>

It is well understood that merely asking for ID alone does not amount to detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Frank|ftp15|2012 ONSC 6274 (CanLII)|OJ No 5242}}{{perONSC|Code J}}{{atL|ftp15|47}}
</ref>

There should be a questioning of suspected criminal activity that results in a "focused interrogation amounting to detention."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Suberu|24kx4|2009 SCC 33 (CanLII)|[2009] 2 SCR 460}}{{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}
</ref>

Where the obligation to answer questions, such as those related to identity, then the failure to do so may result in a charge of [[Obstruction of a Peace Officer (Offence)|Obstruction of a Peace Officer]] under s. 129 of the Criminal Code.

The compelled attendance to the principal's office is not a detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|MRM|1fqq9|1998 CanLII 770 (SCC)|[1998] 3 SCR 393}}{{perSCC|Cory J}} (8:1)<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Interview===
Whether a request to attend for a formal interview is a detention within the meaning of section 9 of the charter will depend upon the "constellation of circumstances."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Moran|1npn4|1987 CanLII 124 (ON CA)|36 CCC (3d) 225}}{{perONCA-H|Martin JA}}
</ref>

Consideration will be upon what was stage of the investigation and what was the objective of questioning.<ref>
{{ibid1|Moran}}{{atp|259}}
</ref>

Detention will be found where the police have decided that "the accused was the perpetrator or involved in its commission" or where "the questioning was conducted for the purpose of obtaining incriminating statements from the accused."<ref>
{{ibid1|Moran}}
</ref>

Questions of a "general nature" will lean in favor of there being no detention.<ref>
{{ibid1|Moran}}</ref>
{{Reflist|2}}

===International Borders===
Routine questioning of a person during secondary screening at an international border is not a detention within the meaning of s. 10(b) of the Charter.<ref>
{{CanLIIRPC|Dehghani v Canada, (M.E.I.)|1fs3k|1993 CanLII 128 (SCC)|1 SCR 1053}}{{perSCC|Iacobucci J}}{{atp|1074}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Motor Vehicle Stops==
A vehicle stop is a form of detention.<ref> 
{{CanLIIRP|Brookwell|20lnx|2008 ABQB 545 (CanLII)|456 AR 343}}{{perABQB|Romaine J}}{{atL|20lnx|29}}, citing {{CanLIIRP|Orbanski & Elias|1l0b0|2005 SCC 37 (CanLII)| }}{{perSCC|Charron J}}{{atL|1l0b0|31}}</ref>
This includes waiting for a breathalyzer test pursuant to the breathalyzer demand or the taking of blood samples pursuant to a blood sample demand.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Harder|22kp8|1989 CanLII 2857 (BC CA)|49 CCC (3d) 565}}{{perBCCA|Anderson JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Greene|ft442|1991 CanLII 6874 (NL CA)|62 CCC (3d) 344}}{{perNLCA|Goodridge CJ}}<br>
</ref>

There are generally five reasons for which police may be engaged in random stops of vehicles:<ref>
This will depend on the powers granted by the provincial motor vehicle legislation<br>
</ref>
* check for fitness to drive
* check ownership of vehicle
* check for valid licence
* check for valid insurance or
* check for impaired driving

All provincial Highway safety Acts authorize police to perform some from of detention.<ref>
ON: Highway Traffic Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/528zj RSO 1990, c H.8]<br>
QC: Highway Safety Code, [http://canlii.ca/t/525pv CQLR c C-24.2]<br>
SK: The Traffic Safety Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/528r3 SS 2004, c T-18.1]<br>
NB: Highway Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/51vkk RSNB 1973, c H-5]<br>
NL: Highway Traffic Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/5273f RSNL 1990, c H-3]<br>
PEI: Highway Traffic Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/52bp7 RSPEI 1988, c H-5]<br>
NS: Motor Vehicle Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/528xc RSNS 1989, c 293]<br>
AB: Traffic Safety Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/526ws RSA 2000, c T-6]<br>
BC: Motor Vehicle Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/52c99 RSBC 1996, c 318]<br>
MB: The Highway Traffic Act, [http://canlii.ca/t/52c8v CCSM c H60]<br>
</ref>
Investigating a Motor Vehicle Act violation does not permit the officer to take the detained person into the police vehicle even where safety may be a concern.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Timmer|fnknn|2011 ABQB 629 (CanLII)|527 AR 315}}{{perABCA|Acton JA}}</ref>

Dual purposes in random traffic stops are permissible in some circumstances.<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Pham|gp8fg|2016 ONCA 258 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtONCA}}{{atL|gp8fg|7}}<br>
{{CanLIIR-N|Jensen|[2015] OJ No 3761 (CA)}}{{at|8}} leave refused [2015] SCCA No 390<br>
{{CanLIIRx|Shipley|gmp0m|2015 ONCA 914 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtONCA}}{{atsL|gmp0m|3| to 7}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Nolet|2b8jp|2010 SCC 24 (CanLII)|[2010] 1 SCR 851}}{{perSCC|Binnie J}}{{atsL|2b8jp|37| to 40}}<br>
</ref>

; Taking of ID Card
The taking of a government ID card in order to conduct a query of police databases may be a form of psychological detention.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Loewen|htrr2|2018 SKCA 69 (CanLII)|365 CCC (3d) 91}}{{perSKCA|Richards CJ}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}
===Safety/Random Traffic Stops===
Random traffic check stops are ''prima facie'' violations of right to be free from arbitrary detention, however, have often been declared justifiable pursuant to s. 1 of the Charter. <ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Hufsky|1ftg3|1988 CanLII 72 (SCC)|[1988] 1 SCR 621}}{{perSCC|Le Dain J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Ladouceur|1fsvs|1990 CanLII 108 (SCC)|[1990] 1 SCR 1257}}{{perSCC|Sopinka J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Mellenthin|1fs79|1992 CanLII 50 (SCC)|[1992] 3 SCR 615}}{{perSCC|Cory J}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Simpson|1npnx|1993 CanLII 3379|79 CCC (3d) 482}}{{perONCA|Doherty JA}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Nolet|2b8jp|2010 SCC 24 (CanLII)|[2010] 1 SCR 851}}{{perSCC|Binnie J}} (a "random vehicle stop on the highway is, by definition, an arbitrary detention")<br>
</ref>

Random stops of persons for "reasons related to driving a car such as checking the driver's licence and insurance, the sobriety of the driver and the mechanical fitness of the vehicle"<ref>
{{ibid1|Nolet}}{{atL|2b8jp|25}}</ref>

Random stop programs that are used to investigate for any number of offences, providing for a "comprehensive check for criminal activity", are flawed and cannot permit detention for any purpose at all.<ref>
{{supra1|Nolet}} referencing {{CanLIIRP|Ladouceur|5k1p|2002 SKCA 73 (CanLII)|165 CCC (3d) 321}}{{perSKCA|Jackson JA}} </ref>

These programs must "not be turned into a means of conducting either an unfounded general inquisition or an unreasonable search."<ref>
{{supra1|Mellenthin}} {{atL|1fs79|20}}
</ref>
The checks should not extend beyond their primary purpose "to check for sobriety, licenses, ownership, insurance and the mechanical fitness of cars."<ref>
{{supra1|Mellenthin}}{{atL|1fs79|20}}</ref>

Random stops for the purpose of enforcing provincial legislation are suggested as being unconstitutional.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Stengler|5607|2003 SKPC 119 (CanLII)|111 CRR (2d) 189}}{{perSKPC|Tucker J}} - detention under the Fisheries Act (Sask)<br>
</ref>

A passenger of a vehicle detained at a traffic stop is not detained within the meaning of s. 9 of the Charter. They are merely a bystander and do not have to comply with the officer's request unless required under the provincial motor vehicle Act.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mooiman and Zahar|gp3vc|2016 SKCA 43 (CanLII)|476 Sask R 216}}{{perSKCA|Caldwell JA}}{{atsL|gp3vc|21| to 22}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Hebrada-Walters|fwj90|2013 SKCA 24 (CanLII)|409 Sask R 229}}{{perSKCA|Ottenbreit JA}}{{atsL|fwj90|19| to 26}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Ramos|flmzz|2011 SKCA 63 (CanLII)|371 Sask R 308}}{{perSKCA|Ottenbreit JA}}{{atL|flmzz|24}}<br>
</ref>
{{reflist|2}}

==Perimeters and Checkpoints==
It is possible to stop persons at a roadblock set-up after a serious reported crime, even where the person does not match the description.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Clayton|1rxzv|2007 SCC 32 (CanLII)|[2007] 2 SCR 725}}{{perSCC|Abella J}}
</ref> 

{{reflist|2}}

==See Also==
* [[Warrantless Searches (Cases)|Warrantless Searches]]
* [[Right to Counsel]]
* [[Warrantless Searches (Cases)]]
* Arrests
** [[Warrantless Arrests]]
** [[Warrant Arrests]]


[[Category:Canadian Charter Rights]]