Update on the Municipal Special Constable Program, a new approach to improving public safety on municipal property

The Municipal Special Constable Program is rolling out in July, with six specially-trained officers providing enhanced presence, visibility and support on public property.  

A Council report will be presented to City Council on Tuesday, June 2, providing an update on the rollout of the Municipal Special Constable Program, including an overview of initial focus areas for the program, as well as clarity on what the program does and doesn’t address.  

The Municipal Special Constable Program was developed to strengthen the City’s ability to respond to non-criminal enforcement matters on municipal property, and to provide additional support to bylaw enforcement officers in the field.  

The initial phase of the Municipal Special Constable Program will focus on three areas:  

• Enforcement support within City parks, providing a more consistent and coordinated enforcement presence, including responding to issues such as trespassing and Parks By-Law offences.  

• Working directly with bylaw officers to assist in situations that may escalate, enhancing officer and public safety.  

• Increased visibility in areas where community concerns have been consistently raised. This includes increased presence during high-demand periods such as evenings, weekends, holidays and special events.  

The Municipal Special Constables Program will not replace the role and responsibilities of Kingston Police 

Municipal special constables have limited enhanced enforcement powers under strict oversight, and any situations that may escalate beyond those powers will be handled by Kingston Police. Kington Police will continue to be responsible for emergency response, criminal investigations and high-risk situations.  

The program is not intended to operate as a 24/7 service. Rather, it will help to address current gaps in service, supporting bylaw enforcement officers while allowing Kingston Police officers to focus on high-risk and criminal matters.  

Program coverage and service gaps 

Starting in July, municipal special constables will be deployed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.   

It’s important to note that municipal special constables are still members of the City’s bylaw enforcement team and will still oversee property standards, bylaw and parking enforcement matters in addition to their special constable duties.  

Continuing to coordinate on encampment response with community partners 

The Municipal Special Constable Program is not intended 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.  

Municipal special constables may also be deployed to support Public Works staff during cleanup operations on municipal property, helping to maintain safe conditions for staff, contractors, outreach partners and members of the public.  

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. 

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, recognizing the diverse needs and lived experiences of individuals they interact with. This includes taking culturally informed and trauma-aware approaches when responding to enforcement matters.