NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has released the annual report on its Framework for Police Preparedness for Indigenous Critical Incidents (the framework) for 2022.
Entrenched as an OPP critical policy since 2005, the framework guides police response to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous issue-related incidents. The release of this report is in keeping with the recommendations in the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry (2007).
The framework:
- promotes an operationally sound, informed and flexible approach to resolving conflict and managing crises in a consistent manner;
- demonstrates accommodation and mutual respect of differences, positions and interests of involved Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and the OPP; and,
- promotes and develops strategies that minimize the use of force to the fullest extent possible.
The OPP framework relies heavily on dialogue, communication and relationships with the clear objective to preserve the peace, prevent offences and enforce the law in a neutral manner that respects and protects the rights of all involved parties.
The Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry (2007) declared the framework a “best practice” and recommended that the OPP prepare an annual report on its use and post it on the OPP website. The annual report provides examples of how the framework has been applied and a statistical summary of implementation for the preceding year.
In 2022, the framework approach was applied in 347 incidents, including critical incidents and major events and/or protest activity, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
To provide greater insight to the public, the framework itself has been posted to the OPP website since 2016 accompanying the annual reports on its use. The report is available in both English and French.
“The Framework for Indigenous Critical Incidents continued to be utilized and applied to various critical incidents throughout Ontario in 2022. The framework, applied to Indigenous and non-Indigenous related incidents, relies on effective engagement with communities and community members through open dialogue, transparency and relationship building. This flexible approach provides opportunity for all stakeholders to share their concerns, be heard and to contribute to a peaceful resolution. The OPP welcomes all Ontarians to read the 2022 Annual Report on the Framework for Indigenous Critical Incidents.” — Supt. Gary Maracle, OPP Indigenous Policing Bureau
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