Professional Standards Bureau
The Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) is responsible for investigating complaints made about a member, service or policy of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service (SSMPS). A Staff Sergeant oversees all of these investigations and reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Police.
PSB investigations of this type generally arise from one of three sources:
- The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) – The OIPRD receives, manages and oversees all complaints about police in Ontario. At times, it will request the PSB to investigate a complaint it has received regarding a SSMPS member, or a complaint about a SSMPS policy or service. For more information, visit the OIPRD website.
- Internal complaint or Chief’s Complaint – this is a complaint that is initiated by the chief. Complaints can range from ones related to allegations of misconduct during the execution of police duties, to employment-related complaints such as harassment or the conduct of members off-duty.
- Special Investigations Unit (SIU) – The PSB will assist the SIU with its initial investigation by providing the requested disclosure and scheduling required interviews. Once the SIU has completed its investigation into an incident in which it invoked its mandate, the PSB conducts an investigation to determine if there was any misconduct by the involved member or if there were any procedural breaches.
The majority of PSB investigations focus on allegations of misconduct, as defined by the Ontario Police Services Act (PSA) and the police Code of Conduct defined in Ontario Regulation 265/10 Part VII. Examples of misconduct include discreditable conduct, insubordination, neglect of duty and unlawful, or unnecessary exercise of authority.
SSMPS civilian personnel are also accountable for their behaviour and are subject to investigations by the PSB for alleged breaches of conduct.
Notice of hearings involving SSMPS officers are posted on the disciplinary hearing page. For information on hearings, please visit our Disciplinary Hearings page.
Voice a Concern
The Service welcomes anyone with a concern to please contact the on duty Staff Sergeant by calling 705-949-6300. The Professional Standards Bureau is responsible for ensuring the professional conduct of all members of the Service. This Unit supports the high level of professionalism expected of our members through compliance of the Polices Services Act, internal policies, conduct, ethics and integrity.
In addition, Professional Standards works with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) to investigate complaints made by the public and find resolutions to these complaints. Through this unit our Service is able to maintain the level of standards expected of our members which in turns allows the community to build a strong confidence in their police service. To file an official complaint you can do so here. For more information on what warrants an official complaint against the Service please visit the OIPRD website.
How to file a complaint
In order to make a complaint to the OIPRD, you must use an OIPRD complaint form available in hard copy, PDF or online.
The OIPRD does not accept anonymous complaints.