2022 Annual Report
Comparing Crime Statistics
It is not recommended that the crime statistics in this report be compared to crime statistics prepared by other agencies due to the fact that different methods of categorization, geographic, technical data, and time constraints may affect the outcome. Although comparing exact numbers is not recommended, the general trends and magnitude of change should be similar regardless of the counting method.
The below crime statistics are compiled from incident-based data. Only the most serious violation in an incident is captured in these Statistics.
Detailed information pertaining to Statistics Canada crime reporting methodology can be found in the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey documents posted on the Statistics Canada website.
Legend
Colour Breakdown for Statistics
2020 Statistics
2021 Statistics
2022 Statistics
Acronyms
CCC = Criminal Code of Canada
ESU = Emergency Services Unit
IMET = Integrated Municipal Enforcement Team
R.I.D.E. = Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere
YCJA = Youth Criminal Justice Act
Message from the Chair
Lisa Vezeau-Allen | Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board
On behalf of the Police Services Board, I am pleased to present the 2022 Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Annual Report.
As a Board, we are honoured to share the responsibility of ensuring public safety with Chief Hugh Stevenson, Deputy Chief Robert MacLachlan, and the members of the service.
The challenges of modern policing continue to evolve. I am proud of the work we have done as a Board to ensure our members are adequately and effectively equipped to enhance community safety in Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township.
The Board is appreciative and supportive of the work our members do each day in our community. There is steady progress to enhance Equity, Diversity and Inclusion awareness for all members, and potential new members of the service. I applaud Chief Hugh Stevenson’s efforts to examine the EDI file internally, which will only improve understanding of current members, and encourage future members to apply and become part of the Sault Police family.
We recognized the challenges our members are facing and supported them by increasing the complement of officers in 2022. The Board remains committed to ensuring public safety, and having more officers taking frontline calls for service will go a long way in supporting our community.
I have been a member of the Board since 2019 and participated in various capacities as both Vice-Chair and Chair in 2022. I made the decision to resign this year to focus on other boards, both local and provincial, that are a priority in my work and voluntary life. I wish the members of Sault Police and members of the Board all the best moving forward. I know they will continue to serve with dignity and respect. Thank you for your service.
Message from the Chief
Chief Hugh Stevenson, M.O.M., Ed.D. | Sault Ste. Marie Police Service
On behalf of all members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, and under the direction of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board, I present the 2022 Annual Report.
Each year brings unique challenges for our organization, and 2022 was no different. Our members continue to bravely answer calls for service that present an increased risk to themselves and the public. Serious calls for service did increase once again, with 0.5% increase to the total crimes of violence in 2022, compared to 2021. These serious calls for service highlight the need for greater support for the people in our community, including revamped bail conditions for repeat offenders, and services for people in crisis, including mental health and addiction supports.
The exemplary work of our members was recognized on a provincial level in 2022. I am honoured Constable Jeff Tait was recognized with the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery. Jeff’s courage, instincts and training saved the life of his partner after his partner was shot in September 2021. Without his intervention, a member of our family would have lost their life.
I am inspired by the ongoing community outreach and partnership development in Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township. I am thankful for the guidance and leadership of local community groups; including the African Caribbean Canadian Association of Northern Ontario (ACCANO), Sault Pride Community, the local Jewish community and the Northern Ontario Latin-Hispanic Association (NOLHA), just to name a few. Your support in helping us grow as an organization is truly valued.
The 2022 Annual Report offers a transparent look at our operations throughout the year. Along with providing complete year-end statistics, we spotlight various areas of the service and the great work members provide for the community. The data assists in decision making on deployment and response to calls for service so we can meet our goal of enhancing the quality of life for all the people we serve.
Mission
To protect and enhance the quality of life in the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township through dynamic partnerships with community members and agencies.
Vision
Ensuring Public Safety Through Enforcement, Education & Partnerships
Values
Organizational Structure
Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board
2022 Board Members
Lisa Vezeau-Allen
Chair - Municipal Appointee
John Bruno
Vice Chair - Provincial Appointee
Matthew Shoemaker
Municipal Appointee
Ian MacKenzie
Provincial Appointee
Rick Webb
Community Representative
Sarah Miles
Board Administrator
Fast Facts
2022
$876,574
Integrated Municipal Enforcement Team (IMET)
May 2022 - Sep 2022
2021/22 Order of Merit Recipient
On April 14, 2023, Chief Hugh Stevenson was officially sworn in as a Member of the Order of Merit (M.O.M.) by Her Excellency Governor General Mary Simon at Rideau Hall in Ottawa after being appointed in in November 2021.
The Member of the Order of Merit recognizes exceptional service or performance of duty over an extended period, usually at the local or regional/provincial level. The Order of Merit of the Police Forces is a fellowship of honour based on the highest qualities of citizenship, service to Canada, to the police community and to humanity at large.
Chief Stevenson has demonstrated more than 35 years of exemplary service, exceptional merit, and contributions to policing and community development.
2022 Ontario Medal for Police Bravery Recipient
Constable Jeff Tait is one of only 21 officers across the province to receive the 2022 Ontario Medal for Police Bravery. It was a proud day for all members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service to see him honoured for his bravery and quick thinking in an emergency.
Working the night shift on September 28, 2021, Constable Jeffrey Tait and his partner Constable Ryan Vendramin were responding to call round 3:30 a.m. Upon arrival, a person matching the description of the suspect they were looking for suddenly pulled out a gun and started shooting at the officers.
Constable Tait took cover, but found his partner, who had been shot in the leg, and immediately attended to the injury to control the bleeding.
Constable Vendramin was rushed to the local hospital for emergency surgery and would undergo several more surgeries, before making a full recovery. Thanks to Constable Jeff Tait’s bravery and swift actions, he saved his partner’s life.
Thank you Jeff, and congratulations on the well-deserved recognition of bravery.
The below numbers represent our Top 10 calls for service where the violation (criminal or non-criminal) is the most serious in a single occurrence.
Calls For Service 2022
Calls For Service 2021
Calls For Service 2020
Includes: Calls for Service, Proactive Initiatives and Administrative Occurrences
Total Incidents
Prince Township – Top Five Calls 2022
Prince Township – Top Five Calls 2021
Prince Township – Top Five Calls 2020
Other includes: Dangerous conditions, Mental Health Act, Focused Patrol, Person Welfare Checks, Suspicious Persons, 911 Call/911 Hang-Up, Attempt/Threat of Suicide, Phone Calls, Family Disputes, Trespass to Property Act, Landlord/Tenant Problem, Ambulance Assist
Other Criminal Code includes: Abduction, Arson, Attempt Murder, Bail Violations, Breach of Probation, Child Pornography, Disturb the Peace, Fraud, Harassment, Homicide, Impaired Operation, Kidnapping, Luring, Indecent Acts, Mischief, Public Morals, Sexual Assault, Threats, Obstruct Police Officer
The Offensive Weapons statistic represents incidents where improper care and/or use of a weapon is the most serious violation, and a person or the public is not a victim. In such cases, the statistic would be captured under the more serious violation.
Drugs Seized
Value of Drugs Seized
2020
$728,413
2021
$511,236
2022
$876,574
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
*The percentages of the calls that the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT) took are for reportable Mental Health Act and Person Well-Being Check occurrences only.
In 2020, 2021, and 2022, Canine Officer Constable Dan Turco and Police Service Dogs (PSD) Justice and Hektor responded to calls for service.
In 2020, Sault Police along with Sault Fire Services, City of Sault Ste. Marie Building and By-Law, the housing commission and other partners formed the Integrated Municipal Enforcement Team (IMET).
This enforcement-oriented team brings together all agencies with enforcement mandates, with the support of other partner agencies, to develop action plans in order to address a variety of community issues and concerns.
One of the duties of IMET is to locate neglected properties and buildings in disrepair that are unsafe for tenants and community members.
The Community Safety Officers play a vital role with IMET and in educating community members of crime prevention methods.
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
The Online Reporting system went live on June 26, 2020. Since its inception, members are continuously re-evaluating the online reporting process to determine the best way to provide this service to the community. This includes potential expansion of the number, and types of calls for service which can be reported online.
Several types of reports can currently be filed online, including lost property, theft, and mischief to name a few. This allows frontline officers to respond to more serious calls in a more timely manner, thus expanding our ability to more efficiently respond to calls for service.
Top Five Online Reports
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
*The option to report break and enter occurrences online became available in August 2020. These break and enters only include detached garages, sheds, and outbuildings - break and enters to residences and businesses are not eligible for online reporting at this time.
** The option to report bail violation occurrences online, through John Howard Society only, became available in 2021.
May 2022 - September 2022
Nature of Collisions
R.I.D.E. Program
*Due to Legislative ammendments, reporting structures have changed.
Driving Offences
The total number of Use of Force Reports does not equal the total number of occurrences where force was used.
Public Complaints
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Results of Complaints
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
*Note - Previously Intimate Partner Violence was tracked as Domestic Violence. The previous classification has been updated throughout the report to reflect the change. Data tracking rules have not been altered.
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
New Hires
Promotions
Inspector
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
Staff Sergeant
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
Sergeant
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 6 |
Awards
30 Years Bar
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 |
20 Years Bar
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 7 |
25 Years City Service
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
25 Years Civilian
| Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy. Crime Stoppers provides an anonymous telephone line (705-942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477) and anonymous online reporting system (www.p3tips.com) to encourage citizens in the community to provide vital information on criminal activity. Crime Stoppers processes the reports and disseminates them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information provided leads to an arrest or successful conclusion.
In January 2020 we launched a new website, saultpolice.ca. The rebranded site refreshed our online presence. Our main site, along with our social media platforms, @SaultPolice on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, allows us to connect with our community in a more immediate and personal way.
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Page and Profile Visits: 86,762 (162.6% ↑)
Page Reach: 329,273 (3.4% ↓)
Most Popular Post
December 17, 2022 – Cops and Kids Holiday Shopping
- Impressions: 32,570
- Reach: 28,815
- Engagement : 11,548
Reach: 8,980 (100% ↑)
Profile Visits: 7,207 (100% ↑)
Top Three Most Viewed Posts
August 29, 2022 -Â Meet a Member: Constable Jenna Havens (4,132 impressions)
November 15, 2022 - Four New Special Constables Hired (3,304 impressions)
December 17, 2022 - Cops and Kids Holiday Shopping (2,745 impressions)
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Impressions on Twitter are a total tally of all the times the Tweet has been seen.
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Crime Stats
The below numbers represent only the most serious criminal violation in a single occurrence.
Crimes of Violence
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Crimes of Property
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
**Totals included in primary classification
Drug Crimes
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Total Crimes
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Other Statistics
The below numbers represent any occurrence where these non-criminal classifications have been captured. These classifications may not be the most serious violation on the occurrence, therefore, these may be included under one of the above criminal violations in our crime statistics.
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
*Portions may be contained in other Criminal Offences
**Note - Previously Intimate Partner Violence was tracked as Domestic Violence. The previous classification has been updated throughout the report to reflect the change. Data tracking rules have not been altered.
Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health Act and Motor Vehicle Collisions not included in Total Crimes
Court Hours
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| Tesla | Nissan | Toyota | Honda | Mazda | Ford | |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |