Municipal Special Constable Program

The City of Kingston's Municipal Special Constable Program helps keep municipal spaces safe, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.

Municipal Special Constables are trained public safety professionals who work alongside City staff, Kingston Police, and community partners. Their role is to address non-emergency safety concerns, support by-law compliance, and help residents and visitors access City services.

The program provides an additional layer of service in public spaces, allowing issues to be addressed quickly while helping ensure police resources remain focused on emergencies and criminal investigations.

What Municipal Special Constables do

Municipal Special Constables support community safety by:

Promoting safe and welcoming public spaces
Supporting community events and public gatherings
Responding to non-emergency safety concerns
Enforcing municipal by-laws and select provincial legislation
Providing public education and conflict resolution support
Working with City departments and community organizations to address ongoing concerns

Whenever possible, they focus on education, communication, and voluntary compliance. Enforcement is used when necessary to address ongoing or serious issues.

Where you may see them

Municipal Special Constables provide service at a variety of City-owned and operated locations, including:

Parks and public spaces
Municipal buildings and properties
Downtown and other high-traffic areas
Community events and public gatherings
Encampments, in support of Property Standards and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers as needed

Training and authority

Municipal Special Constables in Ontario are appointed under provincial legislation and receive specialized training to carry out their duties safely and professionally.

Their authority is limited to the responsibilities outlined in their appointment and does not replace the role of police officers.

Depending on their assigned duties, Special Constables may enforce municipal by-laws and select provincial legislation, including the:

Trespass to Property Act
Liquor Licence and Control Act
Provincial Offences Act
Mental Health Act

When acting within their authorized responsibilities, they may exercise certain peace officer powers permitted under law. These powers are limited to the situations and locations defined by their appointment.

Some Municipal Special Constables may carry approved use-of-force equipment, such as handcuffs, a baton, or OC spray. The use of this equipment is governed by training requirements, policies, and provincial standards.

How enforcement requests are handled

To report a concern, continue to contact By-Law Enforcement Services by:

Email: contactus@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000

Requests are reviewed by By-Law Enforcement Services, who may involve a Municipal Special Constable when appropriate.

Emergencies

Municipal Special Constables do not replace emergency services.

For emergencies or situations involving an immediate risk to safety, always call 911.

Accountability and oversight

The City of Kingston is committed to transparency and accountability in the delivery of this program. Oversight measures include:

Clear policies and procedures governing conduct and enforcement
Ongoing training and professional standards
Supervision and performance review processes
Coordination with Kingston Police and regulatory bodies

If you would like to file a complaint regarding an interaction with a Municipal Special Constable, please use the Conduct Complaint Form.

Working together for a safer community

The Municipal Special Constable Program is part of the City’s broader commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful community. Through collaboration, education, and responsive service, the program helps ensure that Kingston remains a welcoming place for everyone.

Defining success in year one

Throughout the first year of implementation, staff will focus on evaluating the program’s effectiveness based on:

Improved enforcement response during weekends and evenings when resources are available
Enhanced support to by-law enforcement officers
Increased visibility in priority areas
Appropriate use of special constable police powers

At the same time, it is recognized that service gaps will continue to exist, and success will also be measured by how effectively the city coordinates with Kingston Police to ensure continuity of service.

Continuing to coordinate on encampment response with community partners

The Municipal Special Constable Program is not meant to act as a comprehensive solution to all community safety concerns, but as a coordinated, service-first approach to enforcement response. The Municipal Special Constables will continue to work closely with bylaw officers and Street Outreach partners including Home Base Housing and Addiction and Mental Health Services (AMHS) to address encampment-related issues, focusing on engagement, de-escalation and connecting individuals to supports before enforcement action is needed.

Indigenization, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IIDEA) considerations

The Municipal Special Constable Program was developed with the following key considerations:

Ensuring enforcement practices are applied consistently and fairly
Supporting inclusive engagement approaches in public spaces
Recognizing the potential impact on vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness
Aligning the City’s IIDEA Strategy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Municipal Special constables will receive training grounded in IIDEA principles so that they carry out their duties in a professional, respectful and community-focused manner. This includes taking culturally informed and trauma-aware approaches when responding to enforcement matters.

The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives .