Peace Officers: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderProcedure}} | {{LevelZero}}{{HeaderProcedure}} | ||
==General Principles== | ==General Principles== | ||
{{seealso|Criminal Code and Related Definitions}} | {{seealso|Criminal Code and Related Definitions}} | ||
The law vests a "peace officer" with a number of powers and immunities, including the powers relating to detention, arrest, search, and seizure. | The law vests a "peace officer" with a number of powers and immunities, including the powers relating to detention, arrest, search, and seizure. | ||
| Line 33: | Line 32: | ||
The definition of "peace officer" within the Code "serves only to grant additional powers to enforce the criminal law to persons who must otherwise operate within the limits of their statutory or common law sources of authority".<ref> | The definition of "peace officer" within the Code "serves only to grant additional powers to enforce the criminal law to persons who must otherwise operate within the limits of their statutory or common law sources of authority".<ref> | ||
R v Nolan, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftmv 1987 CanLII 66] (SCC), [1987] 1 SCR 1212 at para 20 | R v Nolan, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftmv 1987 CanLII 66] (SCC), [1987] 1 SCR 1212{{perSCC|Dickson CJ}} at para 20 <Br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
| Line 41: | Line 40: | ||
Peace officers do not include: | Peace officers do not include: | ||
* a private bailiff<ref> | * a private bailiff<ref> | ||
R v Burns, [http://canlii.ca/t/5fvs 2002 MBCA 161] (CanLII) at paras 8 to 10<br> | R v Burns, [http://canlii.ca/t/5fvs 2002 MBCA 161] (CanLII){{perMBCA| JA}} at paras 8 to 10<br> | ||
R c Boisseau, [http://canlii.ca/t/gglq9 1981 CanLII 2538] (QC CM), [1981] R.L. 155 - superior court bailiff | R c Boisseau, [http://canlii.ca/t/gglq9 1981 CanLII 2538] (QC CM), [1981] R.L. 155, ''per'' Léger J - superior court bailiff | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
* municipal by-law enforcement officer<Ref> | * municipal by-law enforcement officer<Ref> | ||
R v Laramee (1972), 9 CCC (2d) 433 (N.W.T. Mag. Ct.), [http://canlii.ca/t/gccqb 1972 CanLII 1365] (NWT TC), cited in Parsons, [http://canlii.ca/t/5mhr 2001 ABQB 42] (CanLII), at para 14<br></ref> | R v Laramee (1972), 9 CCC (2d) 433 (N.W.T. Mag. Ct.), [http://canlii.ca/t/gccqb 1972 CanLII 1365] (NWT TC), ''per'' De Weert CJ cited in Parsons, [http://canlii.ca/t/5mhr 2001 ABQB 42] (CanLII){{perABQB| J}}, at para 14<br></ref> | ||
* an off-duty young offender corrections officer<ref> | * an off-duty young offender corrections officer<ref> | ||
R v Pillipow, [http://canlii.ca/t/5bps 2003 SKQB 49 ](CanLII) | R v Pillipow, [http://canlii.ca/t/5bps 2003 SKQB 49 ](CanLII){{perSKQB| J}}</ref> | ||
This does not mean that these professions cannot be peace officers. It only means that unless they are specifically made peace officers under other legislation they will not be definition fit into the definition of "peace officer" under s. 2 of the Code. | This does not mean that these professions cannot be peace officers. It only means that unless they are specifically made peace officers under other legislation they will not be definition fit into the definition of "peace officer" under s. 2 of the Code. | ||
Provincial and federal acts will appoint persons to be "peace officers" within the meaning of the Criminal Code. In these cases, this designation will be limited to Criminal Code peace officer powers while the officer is in execution of duties under the enabling Act and not pursuant to Criminal Code offences.<ref> | Provincial and federal acts will appoint persons to be "peace officers" within the meaning of the Criminal Code. In these cases, this designation will be limited to Criminal Code peace officer powers while the officer is in execution of duties under the enabling Act and not pursuant to Criminal Code offences.<ref> | ||
see e.g. R v Beaman, [1963] SCR 445, [http://canlii.ca/t/22vxw 1963 CanLII 73] (SCC)<br> | see e.g. R v Beaman, [1963] SCR 445, [http://canlii.ca/t/22vxw 1963 CanLII 73] (SCC){{perSCC| J}}<br> | ||
Wright v The Queen, [http://canlii.ca/t/g7cbt 1973 CanLII 858] (SK QB), [1973] 6 W.W.R. 687 (Sask.)<br> | Wright v The Queen, [http://canlii.ca/t/g7cbt 1973 CanLII 858] (SK QB), [1973] 6 W.W.R. 687 (Sask.){{perSKQB| J}}<br> | ||
R v Ingram, [http://canlii.ca/t/g7hbr 1974 CanLII 985] (SK CA), 1974 CarswellSask 79, [1974] 5 W.W.R. 759, 18 CCC (2d) 200<br> | R v Ingram, [http://canlii.ca/t/g7hbr 1974 CanLII 985] (SK CA), 1974 CarswellSask 79, [1974] 5 W.W.R. 759, 18 CCC (2d) 200{{perSKCA| JA}}<br> | ||
Laramee{{supra}}<br> | Laramee{{supra}}<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
When doing anything outside of the enabling legislation they are considered civilians.<ref> | When doing anything outside of the enabling legislation they are considered civilians.<ref> | ||
R v Thibeault, [http://canlii.ca/t/1t1pq 2007 NBCA 67] (CanLII) at para 15<br> | R v Thibeault, [http://canlii.ca/t/1t1pq 2007 NBCA 67] (CanLII){{perNBCA|Drapeau CJ}} at para 15<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
| Line 65: | Line 64: | ||
===Federal Agencies=== | ===Federal Agencies=== | ||
A customs officer or excise officer is a peace officer under s. 2(d) when conducting duties under the Customs Act.<ref> | A customs officer or excise officer is a peace officer under s. 2(d) when conducting duties under the Customs Act.<ref> | ||
Thibeault | R v Thibeault, [http://canlii.ca/t/1t1pq 2007 NBCA 67] (CanLII){{perNBCA|Drapeau CJ}} at para 15<br> | ||
</ref> Sections 163.4 and 163.5 of the Customs Act authorizes customs officers to have the same powers as a peace officer under the Criminal Code in a limited context.<ref> | </ref> Sections 163.4 and 163.5 of the Customs Act authorizes customs officers to have the same powers as a peace officer under the Criminal Code in a limited context.<ref> | ||
see [http://canlii.ca/t/7vb5#sec163.4 Customs Act] s. 163.4 and 163.5<br> | see [http://canlii.ca/t/7vb5#sec163.4 Customs Act] s. 163.4 and 163.5<br> | ||
| Line 73: | Line 72: | ||
===Other Members of Law Enforcement Agencies=== | ===Other Members of Law Enforcement Agencies=== | ||
A traffic patrol officer can be a peace officer.<ref> | A traffic patrol officer can be a peace officer.<ref> | ||
R v McCloy, [http://canlii.ca/t/g8d7f 1987 CanLII 4476] (SK QB), (1987), 2 M.V.R. (2d) 293, 64 Sack. R. 166 | R v McCloy, [http://canlii.ca/t/g8d7f 1987 CanLII 4476] (SK QB), (1987), 2 M.V.R. (2d) 293, 64 Sack. R. 166{{perMBQB|Noble J}} | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
A police constable under s. 44 of the Railway Safety Act is a peace officer.<ref> | A police constable under s. 44 of the Railway Safety Act is a peace officer.<ref> | ||
R v Lord, [http://canlii.ca/t/2bqzv 2010 BCSC 1046] (CanLII) | R v Lord, [http://canlii.ca/t/2bqzv 2010 BCSC 1046] (CanLII){{perBCSC|Butler J}} | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
A "special constable" is a peace officer only for the limited purpose of their mandate.<ref> | A "special constable" is a peace officer only for the limited purpose of their mandate.<ref> | ||
R v Semeniuk, [http://canlii.ca/t/1slhb 2007 BCCA 399] (CanLII), at para 15<br> | R v Semeniuk, [http://canlii.ca/t/1slhb 2007 BCCA 399] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Saunders JA}}, at para 15<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
| Line 97: | Line 96: | ||
===Wildlife Officers=== | ===Wildlife Officers=== | ||
Across many provinces, game wardens, conservation officers and wildlife officers can be a peace officer within the meaning of s. 2(c) of the Code when enforcing enabling provincial legislation.<ref> | Across many provinces, game wardens, conservation officers and wildlife officers can be a peace officer within the meaning of s. 2(c) of the Code when enforcing enabling provincial legislation.<ref> | ||
R v Beaman, [1963] SCR 445, [http://canlii.ca/t/22vxw 1963 CanLII 73] (SCC) - a game warden under the Game Act (NB)<br> | R v Beaman, [1963] SCR 445, [http://canlii.ca/t/22vxw 1963 CanLII 73] (SCC){{perSCC|Ritchie J}} - a game warden under the Game Act (NB)<br> | ||
R v Jones, [1975] 5 W.W.R. 97, 30 C.R.N.S. 127 (Y.T.){{NOCANLII}} - peace officer under s. 2(c)<br> | R v Jones, [1975] 5 W.W.R. 97, 30 C.R.N.S. 127 (Y.T.){{NOCANLII}} - peace officer under s. 2(c)<br> | ||
R v Rutt, [http://canlii.ca/t/g7js5 1981 CanLII 2083] (SK CA), (1981), 59 CCC (2d) 147 - conservation officer under the Wildlife Act (Sask)<br> | R v Rutt, [http://canlii.ca/t/g7js5 1981 CanLII 2083] (SK CA), (1981), 59 CCC (2d) 147{{perSKCA|Culliton JA}} - conservation officer under the Wildlife Act (Sask)<br> | ||
R v Rushton, (1981), 62 CCC (2d) 403 (N.B.C.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/gb1p1 1981 CanLII 3156] (NB CA) | R v Rushton, (1981), 62 CCC (2d) 403 (N.B.C.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/gb1p1 1981 CanLII 3156] (NB CA){{perNBCA|Hughes CJ}} - game warden<br> | ||
R v Goy (1969), 5 C.R.N.S. 385, 67 W.W.R. 375{{NOCANLII}} - wardens appointed under the wildlife act is a peace officer<br> | R v Goy (1969), 5 C.R.N.S. 385, 67 W.W.R. 375{{NOCANLII}} - wardens appointed under the wildlife act is a peace officer<br> | ||
R v Cook, [http://canlii.ca/t/1n4tz 2006 SKPC 41] (CanLII)<br> | R v Cook, [http://canlii.ca/t/1n4tz 2006 SKPC 41] (CanLII){{perSKPC|Tucker J}}<br> | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
| Line 109: | Line 108: | ||
===Military Officers=== | ===Military Officers=== | ||
Under s. 2(g) a military police officer is a peace officer.<ref> | Under s. 2(g) a military police officer is a peace officer.<ref> | ||
R v Bryden, [http://canlii.ca/t/1n2z5 1995 CanLII 4542] (NS SC), (1995), 13 M.V.R. (3d) 89, 139 N.S.R. (2d) 131, 397 A.P.R. 131<br> | R v Bryden, [http://canlii.ca/t/1n2z5 1995 CanLII 4542] (NS SC), (1995), 13 M.V.R. (3d) 89, 139 N.S.R. (2d) 131, 397 A.P.R. 131{{perNSSC|MacDonald J}}<br> | ||
R v Nolan, [1987] 1 SCR 1212, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftmv 1987 CanLII 66] (SCC)<br> | R v Nolan, [1987] 1 SCR 1212, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftmv 1987 CanLII 66] (SCC){{perSCC|Dickson CJ}}<br> | ||
R v Haynes, [http://canlii.ca/t/1mr11 1994 CanLII 4160] (NS CA)<br> | R v Haynes, [http://canlii.ca/t/1mr11 1994 CanLII 4160] (NS CA){{perNSCA|Freedman JA}}<br> | ||
R v Harvey, [http://canlii.ca/t/fp5gj 1979 ABCA 275] (CanLII)<br> | R v Harvey, [http://canlii.ca/t/fp5gj 1979 ABCA 275] (CanLII){{perABCA|Clement JA}}<br> | ||
R v Smith, [http://canlii.ca/t/23m03 1982 CanLII 358] (BC CA)<br> | R v Smith, [http://canlii.ca/t/23m03 1982 CanLII 358] (BC CA){{perBCCA|Hinkson JA}}<br> | ||
R v Cogswell (1979), 2 M.V.R. 34, [1979] NBJ No. 31 (N.B.C.A.){{NOCANLII}}<br> | R v Cogswell (1979), 2 M.V.R. 34, [1979] NBJ No. 31 (N.B.C.A.){{NOCANLII}}<br> | ||
| Line 131: | Line 130: | ||
A special constable appointed under the Police Act to serve as a band constable.<ref> | A special constable appointed under the Police Act to serve as a band constable.<ref> | ||
R v Whiskeyjack, [http://canlii.ca/t/2dgmj 1984 ABCA 336] (CanLII)<br> | R v Whiskeyjack, [http://canlii.ca/t/2dgmj 1984 ABCA 336] (CanLII){{perABCA|Prowse JA}}<br> | ||
R v Stephens, [http://canlii.ca/t/6jpm 1995 CanLII 626] (ON CA) | R v Stephens, [http://canlii.ca/t/6jpm 1995 CanLII 626] (ON CA){{perONCA|Finlayson JA}} | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
A first nations constable have authorization out side of the territorial limits of the reserve.<ref> | A first nations constable have authorization out side of the territorial limits of the reserve.<ref> | ||
R v Decorte, [http://canlii.ca/t/1v8lf 2003 CanLII 57434] (ON CA), [2005] 1 SCR 133, [http://canlii.ca/t/1jtmd 2005 SCC 9] (CanLII)</ref> | R v Decorte, [http://canlii.ca/t/1v8lf 2003 CanLII 57434] (ON CA){{TheCourtONCA}}, appealed to [2005] 1 SCR 133, [http://canlii.ca/t/1jtmd 2005 SCC 9] (CanLII){{perSCC|Fish J}}</ref> | ||
First nations peacekeepers<ref>R v Suggashie, [http://canlii.ca/t/fqzh1 2012 ONSC 2292] (CanLII) at paras 22 to 29 | First nations peacekeepers<ref>R v Suggashie, [http://canlii.ca/t/fqzh1 2012 ONSC 2292] (CanLII){{perONSC|Fregeau J}} at paras 22 to 29 | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
and first nations constables (in limited circumstances) <ref>R v Decorte, [2005] 1 SCR 133, [http://canlii.ca/t/1jtmd 2005 SCC 9] (CanLII)<br></ref> | and first nations constables (in limited circumstances) <ref>R v Decorte, [2005] 1 SCR 133, [http://canlii.ca/t/1jtmd 2005 SCC 9] (CanLII){{perSCC|Fish J}}<br></ref> | ||
are not peace officers. | are not peace officers. | ||
Revision as of 14:33, 21 December 2018
General Principles
The law vests a "peace officer" with a number of powers and immunities, including the powers relating to detention, arrest, search, and seizure.
Statutory Definition
"Peace Officer" is defined under s. 2:
2
...
“peace officer” includes
- (a) a mayor, warden, reeve, sheriff, deputy sheriff, sheriff’s officer and justice of the peace,
- (b) a member of the Correctional Service of Canada who is designated as a peace officer pursuant to Part I of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, and a warden, deputy warden, instructor, keeper, jailer, guard and any other officer or permanent employee of a prison other than a penitentiary as defined in Part I of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act,
- (c) a police officer, police constable, bailiff, constable, or other person employed for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace or for the service or execution of civil process,
- (c.1) a designated officer as defined in section 2 of the Integrated Cross-border Law Enforcement Operations Act, when
- (i) participating in an integrated cross-border operation, as defined in section 2 of that Act, or
- (ii) engaging in an activity incidental to such an operation, including travel for the purpose of participating in the operation and appearances in court arising from the operation,
- (d) an officer within the meaning of the Customs Act, the Excise Act or the Excise Act, 2001, or a person having the powers of such an officer, when performing any duty in the administration of any of those Acts,
- (d.1) an officer authorized under subsection 138(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,
- (e) a person designated as a fishery guardian under the Fisheries Act when performing any duties or functions under that Act and a person designated as a fishery officer under the Fisheries Act when performing any duties or functions under that Act or the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act,
- (f) the pilot in command of an aircraft
- (i) registered in Canada under regulations made under the Aeronautics Act, or
- (ii) leased without crew and operated by a person who is qualified under regulations made under the Aeronautics Act to be registered as owner of an aircraft registered in Canada under those regulations,
- while the aircraft is in flight, and
- (g) officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces who are
- (i) appointed for the purposes of section 156 of the National Defence Act, or
- (ii) employed on duties that the Governor in Council, in regulations made under the National Defence Act for the purposes of this paragraph, has prescribed to be of such a kind as to necessitate that the officers and non-commissioned members performing them have the powers of peace officers;
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 2; ... 2003, c. 21, s. 1; 2004, c. 3, s. 1; 2005, c. 10, s. 34, c. 38, s. 58, c. 40, ss. 1, 7; 2006, c. 14, s. 1; 2007, c. 13, s. 1; 2012, c.1, s. 160, c. 19, s. 371; 2013, c. 13, s. 2; 2014, c. 17, s. 1, c. 23, s. 2, c. 25, s. 2; 2015, c. 3, s. 44, c. 13, s. 3, c. 20, s. 15.
– CCC
The definition of "peace officer" within the Code "serves only to grant additional powers to enforce the criminal law to persons who must otherwise operate within the limits of their statutory or common law sources of authority".[1]
The list in s. 2 is not comprehensive and can include other persons not listed in the section.
Professions That are Not Peace Officers
Peace officers do not include:
- a private bailiff[2]
- municipal by-law enforcement officer[3]
- an off-duty young offender corrections officer[4]
This does not mean that these professions cannot be peace officers. It only means that unless they are specifically made peace officers under other legislation they will not be definition fit into the definition of "peace officer" under s. 2 of the Code.
Provincial and federal acts will appoint persons to be "peace officers" within the meaning of the Criminal Code. In these cases, this designation will be limited to Criminal Code peace officer powers while the officer is in execution of duties under the enabling Act and not pursuant to Criminal Code offences.[5] When doing anything outside of the enabling legislation they are considered civilians.[6]
- ↑
R v Nolan, 1987 CanLII 66 (SCC), [1987] 1 SCR 1212, per Dickson CJ at para 20
- ↑
R v Burns, 2002 MBCA 161 (CanLII), per JA at paras 8 to 10
R c Boisseau, 1981 CanLII 2538 (QC CM), [1981] R.L. 155, per Léger J - superior court bailiff - ↑
R v Laramee (1972), 9 CCC (2d) 433 (N.W.T. Mag. Ct.), 1972 CanLII 1365 (NWT TC), per De Weert CJ cited in Parsons, 2001 ABQB 42 (CanLII), per J, at para 14
- ↑ R v Pillipow, 2003 SKQB 49 (CanLII), per J
- ↑
see e.g. R v Beaman, [1963] SCR 445, 1963 CanLII 73 (SCC), per J
Wright v The Queen, 1973 CanLII 858 (SK QB), [1973] 6 W.W.R. 687 (Sask.), per J
R v Ingram, 1974 CanLII 985 (SK CA), 1974 CarswellSask 79, [1974] 5 W.W.R. 759, 18 CCC (2d) 200, per JA
Laramee, supra
- ↑
R v Thibeault, 2007 NBCA 67 (CanLII), per Drapeau CJ at para 15
Federal Agencies
A customs officer or excise officer is a peace officer under s. 2(d) when conducting duties under the Customs Act.[1] Sections 163.4 and 163.5 of the Customs Act authorizes customs officers to have the same powers as a peace officer under the Criminal Code in a limited context.[2]
- ↑
R v Thibeault, 2007 NBCA 67 (CanLII), per Drapeau CJ at para 15
- ↑
see Customs Act s. 163.4 and 163.5
Other Members of Law Enforcement Agencies
A traffic patrol officer can be a peace officer.[1]
A police constable under s. 44 of the Railway Safety Act is a peace officer.[2]
A "special constable" is a peace officer only for the limited purpose of their mandate.[3]
- ↑ R v McCloy, 1987 CanLII 4476 (SK QB), (1987), 2 M.V.R. (2d) 293, 64 Sack. R. 166, per Noble J
- ↑ R v Lord, 2010 BCSC 1046 (CanLII), per Butler J
- ↑
R v Semeniuk, 2007 BCCA 399 (CanLII), per Saunders JA, at para 15
Other Members of Municipal Organizations
A pound-keeper can be a peace officer.[1]
An animal control officer is only an officer for the limited purpose of "enforcing animal control legislation".[2]
Wildlife Officers
Across many provinces, game wardens, conservation officers and wildlife officers can be a peace officer within the meaning of s. 2(c) of the Code when enforcing enabling provincial legislation.[1]
- ↑
R v Beaman, [1963] SCR 445, 1963 CanLII 73 (SCC), per Ritchie J - a game warden under the Game Act (NB)
R v Jones, [1975] 5 W.W.R. 97, 30 C.R.N.S. 127 (Y.T.)(*no CanLII links) - peace officer under s. 2(c)
R v Rutt, 1981 CanLII 2083 (SK CA), (1981), 59 CCC (2d) 147, per Culliton JA - conservation officer under the Wildlife Act (Sask)
R v Rushton, (1981), 62 CCC (2d) 403 (N.B.C.A.), 1981 CanLII 3156 (NB CA), per Hughes CJ - game warden
R v Goy (1969), 5 C.R.N.S. 385, 67 W.W.R. 375(*no CanLII links) - wardens appointed under the wildlife act is a peace officer
R v Cook, 2006 SKPC 41 (CanLII), per Tucker J
Military Officers
Under s. 2(g) a military police officer is a peace officer.[1]
A military police officer does not have authority outside of the base to deal with civilians.[2]
- ↑
R v Bryden, 1995 CanLII 4542 (NS SC), (1995), 13 M.V.R. (3d) 89, 139 N.S.R. (2d) 131, 397 A.P.R. 131, per MacDonald J
R v Nolan, [1987] 1 SCR 1212, 1987 CanLII 66 (SCC), per Dickson CJ
R v Haynes, 1994 CanLII 4160 (NS CA), per Freedman JA
R v Harvey, 1979 ABCA 275 (CanLII), per Clement JA
R v Smith, 1982 CanLII 358 (BC CA), per Hinkson JA
R v Cogswell (1979), 2 M.V.R. 34, [1979] NBJ No. 31 (N.B.C.A.)(*no CanLII links)
- ↑
Harvey, supra
Aboriginal and First Nations Officers
Aboriginal police are governed by provincial police acts.[1]
A special constable appointed under the Police Act to serve as a band constable.[2]
A first nations constable have authorization out side of the territorial limits of the reserve.[3]
First nations peacekeepers[4] and first nations constables (in limited circumstances) [5] are not peace officers.
- ↑
s. 87 of the Police Act (NS)
s. 38 of the Police Act (NB)
- ↑
R v Whiskeyjack, 1984 ABCA 336 (CanLII), per Prowse JA
R v Stephens, 1995 CanLII 626 (ON CA), per Finlayson JA - ↑ R v Decorte, 2003 CanLII 57434 (ON CA), per curiam, appealed to [2005] 1 SCR 133, 2005 SCC 9 (CanLII), per Fish J
- ↑ R v Suggashie, 2012 ONSC 2292 (CanLII), per Fregeau J at paras 22 to 29
- ↑ R v Decorte, [2005] 1 SCR 133, 2005 SCC 9 (CanLII), per Fish J