Police

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has put together this manual to help you know what you must do, what you do not have to do and what you may wish to do in situations involving the police. The final section lists sources for making a complaint about the police for each province and territory in Canada. (PDF – 12 pages) 

Public Safety Canada was created in 2003 to ensure coordination across all federal departments and agencies responsible for national security and the safety of Canadians. Their mandate is to keep Canadians safe from a range of risks such as natural disasters, crime and terrorism. Public Safety Canada works with five agencies and three review bodies, united in a single portfolio and all reporting to the same minister. Areas of concern are national security, border strategies, countering crime and emergency management issues.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures that your rights are protected during an arrest. Police officers cannot arrest you at will; they must obey certain rules. They may need to get a warrant from the court to arrest you or enter your home. The police must carefully consider the particular circumstances surrounding every single arrest. In this Infosheet, Éducaloi explains your rights during an arrest and your right to a lawyer.