Ottawa police launches Special Constable Pilot Project
The Ottawa Police Service announced Friday the launch of its District Special Constable Pilot Project to improve its operations and free up frontline officers for other duties. (Ottawa Police Service/ X)
The Ottawa Police Service announced Friday the launch of its District Special Constable Pilot Project to improve its operations and free up frontline officers for other duties.
The city’s police said in a news release on Friday its pilot project will deploy special constables to help front line police officers by sending them to multiple non-emergency calls.
The special constables will have two new roles, including helping with custody of persons apprehended under the Mental health act, and assisting with traffic control duties, reads the release.
“Currently, two police officers are required to maintain custody of a detainee at hospital. A special constable will relieve the secondary police officer so they can return to patrol duties and respond to other emergencies,” read the release.
“The second role is traffic control duties. They will assist police officers with traffic direction and road closures to alleviate frontline resources. This includes road closures at collision scenes, crime scenes, events, demonstrations and any other incident that may require traffic control. (They) will also support frontline officers with towing or removing vehicles from roadways.”
The pilot project will run for a period of six months.
Police are now hiring to fill the Special Constable positions.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Ottawa Top Stories
-
Freezing Drizzle AdvisoryFreezing Drizzle Advisory Risk of freezing drizzle this morning, 15-25 mm of rain for Ottawa tonight and Wednesday
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump refers to 'Governor Justin Trudeau' after prime minister says Canada will respond to tariff threat
Amid a looming tariff threat, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump appears to be mocking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, referring to him as 'Governor Justin Trudeau' in a post on Truth Social early Tuesday.
'I never got the impression he would self-destruct:' Friends of suspect in fatal CEO shooting left in shock
Months before police identified Luigi Mangione as the man they suspect gunned down a top health insurance CEO and then seemingly vanished from Midtown Manhattan, another disappearing act worried his friends and family.
Union dropped wage demand to 19% over four years in Canada Post negotiations: CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant told CTV News.
N.Y. prosecutors charge Luigi Mangione with murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO, court records show
Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors filed murder and other charges against Luigi Nicholas Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, according to an online court docket.
Taxpayer-funded Eras Tour tickets returned by federal minister
While tens of thousands of fans packed Vancouver's BC Place for the last shows of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, a federal cabinet minister wasn't one of them.
'I was just trying to help her': Ontario woman loses $14,000 to taxi scam
An Ontario woman thought she was helping another woman pay for their taxi ride, but instead she was defrauded of $14,000.
opinion
opinion Are extended warranties ever worth buying?
It seems extended warranties are offered for almost every small electronics purchase. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains the benefits and drawbacks of extended warranties, and highlights which ones can be useful, and even necessary.
How U.S. tariffs could affect Canada's agriculture industry and consumer prices
As Donald Trump's inauguration looms, Canada's agriculture industry is waiting with bated breath to see whether the sweeping tariffs he's threatened will come to pass.
Israeli warplanes pound Syria as troops reportedly advance deeper into the country
Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country, drawing to within 25 kilometres of the capital, a Syrian opposition war monitor said Tuesday. Israel denied its forces were advancing toward Damascus.
Atlantic
-
Storm Watch: School closures, cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations in the Maritimes for Dec. 10, 2024.
-
Eastern Canada storm to impact Maritimes with high winds Thursday
An area of low pressure is forecast to develop into a strong storm as it moves from the northeastern U.S. into the St. Lawrence River Valley late Wednesday into Thursday.
-
'Time of fear is behind us': Syrian-Maritimer reacts to the fall of the Syrian government
Some Syrian-Canadians are greeting the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
Toronto
-
Torontonians will likely spend 1 year and 7 months of their life on public transit: report
Torontonians who commute to work everyday will likely spend about one year and seven months of their life on public transit, according to a new report.
-
'I was just trying to help her': Ontario woman loses $14,000 to taxi scam
An Ontario woman thought she was helping another woman pay for their taxi ride, but instead she was defrauded of $14,000.
-
Man brought to Toronto hospital with life-threatening gunshot injuries: police
Toronto police are investigating after a man was brought to a hospital with life-threatening gunshot injuries early Tuesday morning.
Montreal
-
'Looking for the Weinstein of Quebec': Impresario Gilbert Rozon's civil trial begins
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon's civil trial for sexual assault opened Monday at the Montreal courthouse with his lawyer portraying him as the scapegoat in a hunt to find Quebec's Harvey Weinstein.
-
Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot
Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw.
-
Search for Quebec hiker missing in Adirondacks now likely a recovery mission
Authorities in New York state say the search for a 22-year-old Quebec hiker who went missing in the Adirondacks more than a week ago is now likely a recovery mission.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away
Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away.
-
ATV driver in northern Ont. who fled spot check got stuck in a swamp
A getaway went wrong for an ATV driver in Spanish, Ont., recently when they were caught by police on foot
-
Murder suspect from TO loses bid to have trial moved out of 'vermin' infested Sudbury jail
A man charged with a 2022 murder on Manitoulin Island will be tried in Sudbury, after a judge rejected arguments from the defence that Toronto or North Bay would be more convenient for his client.
Windsor
-
Confusion over permanent closure of Windsor WSIB office
A group of injured workers and their supporters gathered in Windsor Monday afternoon — pushing for more supports for those hurt and made sick on the job.
-
Woman dies after vehicle crashes into south Windsor home
Windsor police say a 73-year-old woman has died after a vehicle hit a house in south Windsor.
-
'Project Red Ribbon' launches in Windsor-Essex this week
The annual event raises awareness about the risks of impaired driving during the holiday season and urges people to plan ahead.
London
-
Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries in London crash
Around 8 p.m., emergency crews responded to the intersection of Adelaide Street north and Huron Street for the crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
-
This week's forecast 'one to watch' with wildly varying temperatures and conditions
The region is set to experience a weather roller coaster this week, with temperatures swinging wildly, rain, fog and snow squalls.
-
London’s new mobility plan reigniting debate over Bus Rapid Transit and widening Wonderland Road
A solution to London’s worsening traffic problems might lie in a series of maps created by city engineers for inclusion in the Mobility Master Plan.
Kitchener
-
'Near-zero visibility' from fog prompts weather advisory for Waterloo Region, Wellington County
The fog advisory, which came into effect early Tuesday morning, is expected to remain in place until late morning as dense fog blankets the region.
-
Union dropped wage demand to 19% over four years in Canada Post negotiations: CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant told CTV News.
-
U of G researchers' AI work predicts rising food costs in 2025
Researchers at the University of Guelph are using advanced machine learning to help Canadians anticipate grocery costs for 2025.
Barrie
-
Ring in the New Year in downtown Barrie with country star Madeline Merlo
Rising country music star Madeline Merlo will take centre stage at Barrie’s Downtown Countdown this New Year’s Eve, leading a night of celebration with her soulful sound and chart-topping hits.
-
School bus cancellations are pouring in after ice storm
Several school boards have already cancelled their buses early Tuesday morning.
-
Brazen alcohol theft from Tottenham LCBO
Police are looking for two men visited an LCBO in Tottenham in late November.
Winnipeg
-
Here's how much snow fell in parts of Manitoba Sunday
A low pressure system brought snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle to much of southern Manitoba starting Sunday.
-
Some small businesses concerned about making changes to comply with GST holiday
As the federal government prepares to lift the GST on a laundry list of items on Saturday, some small businesses are concerned making it happen will be a huge problem.
-
11 train cars derail, closing Manitoba road for hours
A train derailment near Portage la Prairie had traffic closed for several hours and almost a dozen railcars completely off the tracks.
Calgary
-
Parents charged in toddler son's death plead guilty to manslaughter
The parents accused in the death of their 18-month-old son pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a Calgary courtroom Monday.
-
'Ridiculous': Calgary retailers prepare for GST holiday this week
A temporary federal tax break set to start this weekend is causing confusion for Calgary retailers – and it's also coming at a cost.
-
Syrian refugees in Calgary react to fall of Assad regime with joy, trepidation
There's joy and trepidation among Syrian refugees in Calgary in the aftermath of the ousting of the Assad regime in that country.
Edmonton
-
Largest AI data centre in the world to be built in northwest Alberta
The world's largest Artificial Intelligence data centre will be built in northwest Alberta and comes with an estimated $70 billion price tag.
-
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
-
Hot Oilers prepare for parade of fellow NHL titans
The upcoming schedule of the big-wheel Edmonton Oilers features four other NHL giants in a row, starting Tuesday at Rogers Place against the recent two-time Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Regina
-
Province reviewing work environment in Regina hospitals following alleged misconduct
The Government of Saskatchewan is mounting a work environment review for physicians in Regina following allegations of racism, misconduct, and a lack of professionalism.
-
Sask. Court of Appeal denies White City's request to annex 4,000 acres from RM of Edenwold
A land dispute that's been taking place just east of Regina for the past six years has been put to rest, according to the Rural Municipality (RM) of Edenwold.
-
Icy roads and streets an issue after thaw, freezing rain hits Saskatchewan
A mixture of rain and snow hit many parts of Saskatchewan over the weekend, leaving roads and sidewalks covered in ice.
Saskatoon
-
Emergency crews searching the South Saskatchewan River for body of missing man
Saskatoon police and firefighters have begun searching the South Saskatchewan River for the body of a 48-year-old man who went missing late last month.
-
Sask. RCMP lay murder charge in fatal February shooting
The Saskatchewan RCMP have charged a man with first-degree murder for a fatal February shooting in North Battleford.
-
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
Vancouver
-
B.C. soccer player injured in shooting near Ohio university campus
A 22-year-old soccer player from Langley, B.C., who plays for Ohio State University was injured by a stay bullet during an exchange of gunfire near campus Sunday, according to the school.
-
'Serial fraud artist': Crown wants 8-year jail term for fake nurse who treated nearly 1K B.C. patients
B.C. Crown prosecutors are calling for an eight-year prison term for a woman who illegally treated nearly 1,000 patients across the province while impersonating a real nurse.
-
Toxic drug deaths in October lowest in 4 years, B.C. coroners service says
Toxic drug deaths in October reached a low not seen in years, according to new preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service.
Vancouver Island
-
Toxic drug deaths in October lowest in 4 years, B.C. coroners service says
Toxic drug deaths in October reached a low not seen in years, according to new preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service.
-
B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year
British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes.
-
'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy
A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
