Transparency, accountability and oversight: How the City of Kingston is supporting community safety with new special constable program

The City of Kingston is currently in the process of developing a special constable program, which would allow the Kingston Police Board to appoint five members of the Licensing Enforcement Services management team as special constables once they are given authority to do so by the Solicitor General.  

A Council report outlining the roles and responsibilities of the special constables, the powers granted through their appointments, and a framework of accountability, will be presented to City Council on Tuesday, November 4.  

This report provides information on how a special constable program would work in Kingston. This model formalizes what special constables would be authorized to do, how they would be trained, how they are held accountable, and who provides direction oversight, among other considerations. 

What is the special constables program? 

The Special Constable program is designed to support, not replace, existing police and municipal enforcement services by allowing trained municipal staff to respond quickly to public safety concerns on City property. Special constables will work alongside bylaw enforcement officers to assist in situations where additional enforcement authority or immediate action is required, ensuring that safety concerns on City property can be addressed promptly and effectively.  

While special constables enhance the City’s capacity to maintain public safety, they will continue to rely on police support when circumstances warrant it, and their appointment does not diminish or relieve ongoing duties and responsibilities of Kingston Police. This collaborative approach strengthens the City’s overall capacity to maintain safe spaces while allowing bylaw officers to remain focused on their core municipal enforcement duties. The program enhances public safety through coordinated, timely, and professional responses in areas of the city where a consistent presence and rapid intervention are most needed. 

How are special constables held accountable? 

Special constables must operate within boundaries set out in their certificates of appointment and are subject to strict oversight by three separate entities: the Inspector General of Policing (Provincial), the Kingston Police Service Board and the City of Kingston’s Licensing and Enforcement department.  

The Inspector General ensures the special constables and their employers adhere to the principles of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA). The Inspector General does this by monitoring, inspection and consultation with the City and the Kingston Police Board.  

The Kingston Police Board is responsible for appointing special constables once given authorization to do so by the Solicitor General. Through the certificates of appointment, the Board stipulates who the special constable’s employer is (the City of Kingston), what powers of a police officer are granted to the special constable and what equipment or weapons are authorized for use. 

The City of Kingston, as the employer for the special constables, is responsible for recruitment, training, supervision and discipline.  

This three-tier system of oversight ensures there is a clear distinction between special constables and police officers and bylaw enforcement officers. 

Next steps 

The Enforcement Management Team will split into two groups for special constable training to ensure operational coverage at all times. The first group will receive special constable training in November 2025, and the other group will receive training in early 2026. The Special Constables program is intended to roll-out mid-year 2026 once all the Enforcement Services management team are trained. 

The City will continue to provide information and updates to the public as the development of the special constable program progresses.  

Training requirements will include mandatory modules of human rights, anti-racism, Indigenous cultural safety, gender-based awareness, and mental health crisis response, ensuring that all special constables operate with empathy, professionalism and cultural competency. 

The City will also consult with local Indigenous partners and organizations to ensure the program is informed by local historical and cultural context, and ensure all communities in Kingston are provided with equitable service.