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The Toronto Police Marine Unit is strategically located at 259 Queen’s Quay West and consists of a state of the art boat house a police station and a garage or work shop combination. In addition it also includes 3 sub-stations located at Bluffers Park, Center Island and Humber River which are used for various police and lifeguard functions.
It has a unique policing responsibility; it is the largest command, encompassing some 460 square miles of open water on Lake Ontario. In addition to normal enforcement duties, including policing and medical transport to the Island Community they are responsible for all Ice Rescues, River Rescues, Search and Recoveries and other water related rescues within its jurisdictions.
It is also responsible for all the waterways and internal bodies of water within the boundaries of the City of Toronto. The unit is one of the oldest branches of the Service dating back to the 1800’s.when it was primarily “life saving and police patrol”. The Toronto Harbour Police amalgamated in 1982 and now forms the TPS Marine Unit.
The Marine Unit has developed multiple partnerships with public and private sector agencies as well as emergency responders to provide its’ diverse community with a tiered emergency response. An example of this joint partnership is the paramedics program where 10 members are assigned to the unit to provide the City of Toronto and the Island Community with a medical and police response. Also the Toronto Fire Service is strong partner and their vessel the William Lyon McKenzie which has outstanding operational capabilities is an integral part of the partnership.
Staffing
The Marine Unit has an authorized staffing of 57 personal which includes 38 Constables, 9 Sergeants, 1 Lead hand, 3 Crew hands, 4 Mechanics, I Civilian Clerk, 1 Staff Sergeant and 1 Unit Commander.
Operational Jurisdictions
• Within the mission statement of the Toronto Police Service and in compliance with the Service Priorities, Toronto Harbour remains the number one priority. It includes providing support to the Harbour Commission, the Port Authority, the Island Airport and the Island Communities in all aspects of Intelligence Led and Community Based Policing.
• Policing the Greater Lake Ontario, an area (460 square miles) from Etobicoke Creek to the west to the Rouge River to the east (33 miles) and extending (13 miles) to the centre boundaries of the USA/Canada water boarder and includes all waterways within the Greater Toronto Area.
Primary Functions
• Accordingly, in addition to compliance with the Police Service Act of Ontario and the Toronto Police Services Rules and Procedures, the Marine Unit, under the direction on the Staff Superintendent, Operational Support, is responsible for: Enforcing the Criminal Code, The Fisheries Act, The Shipping Act, Toronto Port Authority Practices and Procedures pursuant to the Canada Marine Act, Provincial Offences Act and related Regulations to ensure safety and security of the community.
• Providing support for all other units and squads in water related events or emergencies.
• Search and Rescue is a very important part of our operational strategies and mandates continual training and exercises to maintain skill sets. This also requires constant cross training with multiple agencies. Marine officers are mandated to respond in a marine emergent situation which is why they must have the best possible equipment and training. The unit has an outstanding fleet of boats for quick response and rough water all of which are carefully maintained to ensure optimum service.
• Interdiction Program is a joint partnership operation using an intelligence led law enforcement strategy. The members include the US/Canadian Coast Guards, US Border Patrol, Canada Border Security, RCMP, OPP, Peel, Durham, Niagara, York, Halton and Hamilton Regional Police Services. Numerous private and commercial vessels are stopped and inspected ensuring a multi faced response to criminal activity and the potential threat of a terrorist attack.
• Life Guard Services is the unit responsible for providing supervision to 14 City Beaches. It employees 79 part time life guards and is responsible to ensure proper training and equipment. A full time supervisor is assigned to these duties supported by two crew-hands.
• Community Relations Office acts as a liaison with the residents of the Island Community as well as many safety councils. They also participate with safety programs, crime prevention and public education lectures that include the various Marinas and Yacht Clubs in the GTA. The unit works closely with the Toronto By Law Enforcement Office to address complaints involving tour and party boats. They are very active in school presentations, public displays on water safety, lectures to yacht clubs and the numerous tours which are almost a daily event which showcases the operations of the Toronto Police Marine Unit.
Specialised Skill Sets
• Underwater Search and Recovery Team provides the ability to search for evidence and to provide a life saving response. It consists of a team of divers supervised by a Sergeant. It has a surface supply and scuba capability and a explosive detection, CBRN component.
• Special Operations Section provides a tactical support to the Emergency Task Force and provides a specialised marine response in a tactical situation. It consists of a team of officers and a Supervisor. This unit trains on a regular basis with the Emergency First Responders to ensure a co-ordinated response to all emergent situations.
• Marine Training Unit consists of 4 Constables and 1 Training Sergeant who are responsible for all in-house and external courses. In addition to the Service requirements this cadre provides, Coxswains level #1 and #2, Basic Trauma Life Support, CPR/Defibrillation, River and Ice Rescue Training and Global Positioning courses. They also provide cross-training for other law enforcement agencies and are internationally recognised for our expertise. This also includes the first ever Marine Conference which was hosted by this unit in October of this year. Improving boating skills are absolutely an on going requirement and the necessary skill set in the operation of radar, GPS and navigational instruments are the lifeline of all Marine Unit officers.