Accountability
This section of the Brockville Police Service is under the command of a Special Constable – Supervisor who is accountable to the Staff Sergeant – Support Services.
Bureau Strength
In addition to the Special Constable – Supervisor there are presently 1 full-time and 5 part-time Special Constables, one Police Constable, one prisoner van and one unmarked vehicle attached to this unit.
Office Location
The Court Service Bureau is located at Court House, 41 Court House Square, Brockville, Ontario.
Duties – Security and Court Officer’s
The jobs of the above noted vary from escorting adult (male and female) prisoners to and from Provincial Jails in Ontario, escorting young offender prisoners (under 18 years of age), male and female to youth centres in Ontario. They also escort prisoners (adult and youth) from the court building cells to and from courtrooms, completing various court, police, administrative documents to accompany each prisoner and conduct video remands where applicable. When acting in the capacity of courtroom Security Officer, they will sit in the courtroom and provide document / evidence support to the Crown Attorney and security for the court. They will also present evidence via testimony at Bail Hearings. On occasions, when threats have been received against the court, visitors to the court may also be checked for weapons. In these instances metal detectors will be used to inspect persons attending the courtrooms. Court officers also arrest persons who are surrendering in person, after being informed a warrant for their arrest was issued by the courts for failure to attend court when ordered. Special Constables will also issue court notices to police officers and subpoenas for civilian witnesses to attend at criminal and provincial offences act trials. A big part of their job as well is going before the JP and swearing to Information’s and Subpoena’s. In English, they swear out legal documents to bring accused persons before the courts and in preparation for trial. They also assist Patrol Officers by serving subpoena’s.
Duties – Case Management
Case Management staff try to resolve cases for the Crown Attorney’s office. They will confer with the Crown Attorney and defense attorney to see if some or all witnesses are needed for the trial. Any police officer that can be excused from the trial, without negatively impacting on the quality of the ‘prosecution”, will reduce the cost of the trial by shorting the courtroom usage; and put more police back on patrol for policing duties. The over-all purpose of this unit is to attempt to keep the police cost to a minimum without jeopardizing the court proceedings. Example – If two police officers have the same evidence to give at a trial, then the Crown Attorney may wish to excuse one of the officers and allow him/her to return to routine police work versus both of them sitting in the court, especially if only one officer is needed to give the evidence. Case Management staff ensure the entire investigative files have been provided to the Crown and schedule and participate in victim and witness interviews in preparation for trial.