Mandate of Transit Special Constables

• Protect transit customers, employees and property.
• Preserve the peace.
• Prevent crime and offences.
• Promote public safety and awareness.
• Help persons in need of assistance.

Transit Special Constables are sworn Peace Officers. They have the powers of a Police Officer to enforce the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, the Liquor License act, the Trespass to Property Act, and the Safe Streets Act on all transit vehicles and property.

Racial profiling and discrimination is prohibited. OC Transpo Transit Law Enforcement Unit has developed a policy that provides on-going Cultural Diversity training that includes legislation that protects the rights of Canadians as they relate to diversity including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian Human Rights Act, and Criminal and Ontario Human Rights Code.

In partnership with Ottawa Police Service

Special Constables put your safety first with the powers of a Police Officer to enforce the law and protect customers and employees on all transit vehicles and property.

Recruitment of Special Constables

• be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
• be at least 18 years of age;
• be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to his or her own safety and the safety of members of the public.
• be of good moral character and habits.
• not have been convicted of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted.
• have completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent; plus be a graduate of a recognized Community College Police Foundations or Law and Security Diploma.
• have a good knowledge of security or law enforcement operations and principles. This requires a minimum of 2 years of security experience in a transit environment. Related experience in dealing with people and enforcement procedures may be considered as alternate relevant experience. Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability, may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
• possess proof of valid Standard First Aid Certificate and valid CPR-Level C.
• possess proof of valid Special Constable Applicant Testing Service (ATS) Certificate or the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate of Results for the Constable Selection System.
• possess a valid Ontario Unrestricted “G” class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with no demerit points.
• undergo background checks such as fingerprinting, driver’s licence history, credit checks, employment history, psychological testing and police records checks to the City of Ottawa’s satisfaction.
• learn, meet and maintain Transit Special Constable Service’s standard in the use of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, baton and the use of force continuum. 

Selection Process

If you meet the minimum requirements above, you may advance through the selection process.  Each stage in the selection process is competitive.

Application

The following documentation is required:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Proof of a valid Special Constable Applicant Testing Service (ATS) Certificate OR the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate of Results for the Constable Selection System. For testing standards, please visit:  applicanttesting.com/career-paths/special-constable.html
• Original police Clearance Letter, dated within the last 12 months. A Clearance Letter is a formal document produced on secure paper indicating that the subject of the inquiry has no criminal convictions in the National Repository of Criminal Records maintained by the RCMP.
• Proof of valid Standard First Aid Certificate and valid CPR-Level C.

Panel Interview

Candidates must demonstrate that they possess the following competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Self-confidence
• Law Enforcement Principals
• Communication
• Flexibility/Valuing Diversity
• Self Control
• Relationship Building
• Achievement Orientation

Candidates will also be required to undergo a General Law Enforcement Knowledge test that is administered to measure a candidate’s aptitude in basic law enforcement principles, applicable in the province of Ontario. Candidates will be provided with a series of true/false, multiple choice and essay questions. Candidates will be required to answer the questions to the best of their ability within a prescribed period of time.

Background Investigation

Candidates selected to proceed beyond the interview stage and law enforcement knowledge-testing phase, will undergo an investigation of their background and personal history.

Candidates will be required to complete an Ottawa Police Background Investigation Form. A thorough background investigation, which includes both security and reference checks, will be conducted on candidates selected to proceed beyond the interview stage and law enforcement knowledge testing phases. Candidates will be required to complete a psychological profile and may be required to attend an interview with a psychologist.

The Personal History Form is the tool by which personal information about an applicant is collected. The use of this information begins only if the candidate advances beyond the interview stage and it becomes necessary to conduct a background investigation. At this stage candidates will also be required to sign a “Waiver for the Collection of Personal Information” form. Until this document is signed, the application will not advance through the remainder of the process.

Special Constable Complaints Process

Two types of formal complaints can be made against Special Constables:

1. A complaint regarding the policies of, or services provided by, the Transit Law Enforcement Service. 
2. A complaint regarding the conduct of a Transit Special Constable.

Any member of the public who is directly affected by the conduct of a Transit Special Constable, the services provided by, or a policy of the Transit Law Enforcement Service can make a complaint.

When to file a complaint against a Special Constable

Your complaints against a Special Constable must be filed within SIX (6) months of the occurrence of the incident.

How to file a complaint against a Special Constable

A complaint against a Special Constable must be made in writing and signed by the complainant. Complaints can be submitted by fax, mail, or hand-delivered to the attention of:

Chief Special Constable
Transit Services, City of Ottawa
OC Transpo Transit Law Enforcement Service
875 Belfast Road, Ottawa ON  K1G 0Z4

A person may also complete and submit a Public Complaint Form in person at:

City of Ottawa
Transit Law Enforcement Service
875 Belfast Road, Ottawa ON

A complaint against a Special Constable cannot be accepted over the phone; however an attempt will be made to determine the nature of the concern.

To assist us in handling your complaint against a Special Constable in a timely manner we need as much detail as possible, such as:

• Time
• Date
• Witnesses (if any)
• Your address
• Your phone number

Resolution process

The Chief Special Constable may decide not to deal with a complaint against a Special Constable on the basis that it was filed after the six month limit, or it is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith, or that the complainant was not directly affected by the incident.

There are four possible conclusions to a complaint against a Special Constable:

1. The Chief may decide, if all parties agree, that the complaint can be resolved through an Informal Resolution.
2. After the investigation, the Chief may find that the complaint is unsubstantiated.
3. The Chief may find that the complaint is substantiated and impose a penalty without holding a formal hearing if the misconduct is not serious and the Officer agrees to the penalty. If the Officer does not agree to the penalty, then a formal hearing must be held.
4. The Chief may find that the complaint is substantiated and decide to hold a formal disciplinary hearing.

Informal resolution

A less serious complaint about a Special Constable's conduct may be resolved by way of an informal resolution.

This involves bringing the complainant and the subject officer together to hear each other's concerns.

This resolution requires the mutual consent of the complainant, the officer, and the approval of the Chief Special Constable.

Withdrawal of a complaint against a Special Constable

After filing a complaint against a Special Constable you may decide not to pursue the matter.

You can withdraw a complaint by writing to the Transit Law Enforcement Service.

Despite your withdrawal, the Chief may decide to continue investigating the complaint if s/he deems that the allegations merit investigation.

If a complaint is substantiated what will happen to the officer?

There are a range of options available to the Chief Special Constable including:

• Reprimand

• Suspension

• Forfeiture of hours (pay)

• Termination

• Criminal charges

In some cases training is considered an appropriate remedy.