Waterloo Regional Police Service Patrol Division
Mission Statement
The mission of the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is to safeguard the communities of Waterloo Region in Ontario, Canada.
We aim to uphold public safety, prevent and investigate crime, maintain law and order, promote community engagement, and ensure the well-being and security of all residents through collaboration, professionalism, and innovation. The service strives to maintain trust, respect, and transparency while providing efficient and effective policing services.
It is important to note that every Constable is to follow the rules, regulations and all policies within this document and within the documents linked here. Failure to do so may be met with disciplinary action. The regulations and policies may change at any moment, it is up to every Constable starting patrol, especially for the first time that they are aware of the service’s regulations and policies.
Patrol Division
Expectation and Responsibilities
In addition to general patrol duties as outlined above, W.R.P.S units are expected to comply with the following. This is a general guideline for on-scene procedures and while not exhaustive, is to be applied to all calls when applicable.
Units are expected to prioritize direct requests for assistance from civilians when on patrol, this can include but is not limited to requests for First aid/medical assistance, vehicular accidents, crimes in progress and domestic disputes. When flagged down for the above the unit is to immediately notify dispatch as per the patrol communication procedures outlined below. Units should then take steps to secure the scene by detaining/neutralizing any suspects/hostile parties as per the Use Of Force guidelines within the Revised W.R.P.S SOP, securing any weapons and then rendering aid where needed.
Additional patrol units should always be requested when required/available. When the constable is satisfied that the scene is secure, EMS/Fire should be requested as soon as possible when needed. NOTE: EMS must ALWAYS be requested for downed civilians AND suspects. Once a suspect is downed and no longer poses a threat, units have a statutory responsibility to ensure rapid and appropriate aid is given. This begins with Constable provided first aid and that is to continue until injured parties are handed over to appropriate medical providers. (NOTE: Please see sub-headings “First Aid” and “Callouts” for further information regarding the above.
Patrol Division
Use Of Force
Within the WRPS there are five levels of force with the final being lethal force. Lethal force is the absolute last resort a constable can take, for it to be justifiably used, the constable must have a valid reason to do so.
After a constable has discharged their weapon, a supervisor is to be called to the scene for investigative purposes. If a supervisor is not available to investigate, the constable is to RP the scene out and clean it up.
The only level of force investigated by Supervisors or Investigators is the highest level of force, being lethal force. After every use of force, a Constable is to either request a supervisor/investigator or await the arrival of one, as they are to (typically) respond automatically after hearing of a shots fired incident involving a Constable.
After using force to eliminate a threat or to forcibly place a suspect into custody, aid must always be administered alongside a request for either local paramedics or for either Fire Rescue/ the RWPS to respond to the scene. Further information can be found in the WRPS Patrol Guide that can be found in the SOP section of the discord and below.
‘All Constables are to immediately administer aid after all suspects are secure after a use of force incident. This applies to all levels of force beyond verbal commands that have caused injury to any and all affected by such use of force. Some examples include but are not limited to: Requesting medical services to respond after a successful taser or beanbag deployment or performing CPR and requesting medical treatment on a suspect after utilizing lethal force. ‘ Even outside of UOF incidents, aid is required to be rendered.