Canadian Association of Police Boards
The Canadian Association of Police Governance (CAPG) is the only national organization dedicated to excellence in police governance in Canada. The CAPG works collaboratively and pro-actively to improve police governance in Canada and to bring about change that will enhance public safety. Founded in 1989 with the goal to improve the effectiveness of civilian bodies that govern local police services, the CAPG has since grown to represent 75% of municipal police service oversight bodies throughout Canada.[1]
Civilian Oversight of Police
For provinces in Canada with one or more municipal police services, governance of the police service falls to a civilian body composed of members of municipal Council, citizens of the municipality appointed by either the province or municipality, or a combination thereof.
While duties of municipal police boards/commissions vary slightly from province to province, most are responsible for:
- determining adequate personnel levels
- budgeting for the needs of the police service
- monitoring the budget
- reviewing the performance of the service
- hiring the Chief of Police
- evaluating the Chief of Police
- labour relations
- discipline
- policy development
- stakeholder relations