Court Services

The members of this unit, supervised by the Court Services Staff Sergeant, provide the main interface between the Guelph Police Service and the court system. There are three court facilities in Guelph: the Superior Court of Justice at 74 Woolwich Street, Ontario Court of Justice at 36 Wyndham Street South, and Provincial Offences Court at 55 Wyndham Street North. Court Services is staffed by a combination of members that includes Special Constables, administrative support staff and police officers. Special Constables are uniformed civilian members who have received specialized training, and are responsible for ensuring the safe and secure detention and escort of persons in custody within court facilities. Special Constables also provide security in the courtroom.

They are responsible for ensuring that all persons present, including members of the judiciary, legal representatives, members of the public and accused persons, are able to exercise their rights and obligations in an environment free of physical and verbal aggression, real or perceived. The task of providing court security and prisoner escorts is augmented by a small complement of Police Constables assigned to the unit, who provide support in highrisk situations and gain experience in this branch of policing services. All cell areas at court facilities are equipped with audio-visual equipment for monitoring the behaviour and well-being of persons in custody.

When performing cell custodian duties, Court Security officers must continually monitor, physically check and regularly document the condition of prisoners to ensure their maximum safety. A Guelph Police Service Special Constable is also assigned to deliver (serve) court documents, including summons and subpoenas, to people within the City of Guelph. Until 2003, Guelph Police Court Security officers were also responsible for the majority of prisoner transports between correctional or detention facilities and the Guelph courts. The province's decision to restructure correctional and detention facilities by building a smaller number of larger centres resulted in the closure of local facilities and greatly increased transportation distances and overtime costs for the Guelph Police Service. In February 2004, the Service entered into a contract with the Ministry of Public Safety and Correctional Services, transferring the responsibility for most prisoner transports to the Ontario Provincial Police and greatly reducing the net cost to the Guelph Police Service.

Finally, the Guelph Police Court Services Unit is responsible for managing information related to criminal court cases. Police-generated information pertaining to a case, such as the results from police investigations and forensic examinations, is compiled and maintained in a Crown Brief. Guelph Police Service members assigned to Court Case Management are responsible for ensuring that Crown Briefs are completed in a timely fashion. Court Services staff also play a role in scheduling court dates in an effort to minimize overtime expenses for off-duty police officers, and help to ensure that accused persons appear in court when required.