Backgrounder Document d'information Ministry of Community Safety …

Backgrounder
Document d'information
Ministry of Community Safety   Ministère de la Sécurité communautaire
and Correctional Services      et des Services correctionnels




                                PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
                                      GUIDELINES
The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch encourages complainants to
report all complaints that may be a violation of the Criminal Code to the police. If unsure,
please check with your local police service.


Definition of a Complaint
In accordance with section 19 (1) of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act,
the Registrar may receive a complaint from any person alleging that a licensee has:
    · Breached the code of conduct established under the regulations, or
    · Failed to comply with the Act or the regulations, or
    · Breached a licence condition.
The information below describes the procedures to lodge a complaint.

Lodging a Complaint
A complaint may be filed with the Registrar within 90 days after the subject matter that
gives rise to the complaint or at a later date with the Registrar's consent.
   · A member of the public who makes a complaint must complete, sign, date and
        submit a Complaint form. This form is easily accessible on the Private Security
        and Investigative Services Branch website at:
        http://www.ontario.ca/private-security, under Licences and Forms.
   · The completed form can be delivered in person or sent by mail to:

         The Registrar / Director
         Private Security and Investigative Services Branch
         Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
         777 Bay Street, 3rd Floor
         Toronto, Ontario M7A 2J6

    ·    The complainant should include names of witnesses, their addresses and
         telephone numbers.
    ·    If a person is filing a complaint on behalf of someone else, they must also include
         that person's name, address and contact information as well as submit evidence to
         prove their relationship to that person.
    ·    A person can choose a lawyer or an agent to represent them in filing a complaint.
         However, the person is responsible for such costs.
   ·   The person against whom the complaint has been filed can also choose a lawyer
       or agent to represent them at their own expense.
   ·   Complaints can be made about security guards and private investigators' conduct
       while they are on duty. Complaints can also be made against licensed business
       entities, their officers, directors, partners and sole proprietors while they are in the
       course of conducting the licensed business.
   ·   There is no fee for filing a complaint.
   ·   Branch staff are available to respond to questions from members of the public,
       security agencies, security guards and private investigators during regular
       business hours, Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays.

Time Lines for Complaints
For the purpose of computing timelines, a complaint is made on the day it is delivered in
person, or sent by mail to the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch. As
noted earlier, a complaint may be filed with the Registrar within 90 days after the subject
matter that gives rise to the complaint or at a later date with the Registrar's consent.

Withdrawing a Complaint
A complainant may formally withdraw a complaint, if he or she chooses. The withdrawal
must be in writing, signed and delivered to the Registrar, either personally or by mail and
must include the reason for withdrawing the complaint. For additional forms or further
information please contact the Branch or visit the ministry's website.


                 The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch
                                                   rd
                                 777 Bay Street, 3 Floor
                                  Toronto, ON M7A 2J6
                               Local Phone: 416-212-1650
                                Toll-free: 1-866-767-7454
                         http://www.ontario.ca/private-security
To view the Private Security and Investigative Services Act and/or its regulations in their
                                   entirety, please visit:
         http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/05p34_e.htm