Policing Information
In Canada, there are three levels of police forces: municipal, provincial, and federal.
Constitutionally, law enforcement is a provincial responsibility, although most urban areas
have been given the authority to maintain their own police forces. Many municipalities
contract out their law enforcement to the provincial authorities, and all but three provinces
in turn contract out their law enforcement responsibilities to the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, the federal force, which therefore is the only police force in the world to service
three distinct levels.
Police forces are government organisations ostensibly charged with the responsibility of
maintaining law and order. The word comes from the French, and less directly from the
Greek politeia, referring to government or administration; the word police was coined in
France in the 18th century. The police may also be known as a constabulary, after
constables, who were an early manifestation of police officers.
In most Western legal systems, the major avowed role of the police is to discourage and
investigate crimes, with particular emphases on crime against persons or property and the
maintenance of public order, and if able to apprehend suspected perpetrator(s), to detain
them, and inform the appropriate authorities. See criminal law.
Police are often used as an emergency service and may provide a public safety function
at large gatherings, as well as in emergencies, disasters, and search and rescue
situations. To provide a prompt response in emergencies, the police often coordinate their
operations with fire and emergency medical services. In many countries there is a
common emergency service number that allows the police, firefighters or medical services
to be summoned to an emergency. Police are also responsible for reporting minor
offences by issuing citations which typically may result in the imposition of fines,
particularly for violations of traffic law. Police sometimes involve themselves in the
maintenance of public order, even where no legal transgressions have occurred -- for
example, in some Australian jurisdictions, people who are drunk and causing a public
nuisance may be removed to a "drying-out centre" until they recover from the effects of
the alcohol.
Police roles
• Auxiliary police
• Bailiff
• Civil police
• Constable
• Cybercop
• Detective
• Federal police
• Fire police
• Gendarmerie
• Highway patrol
• Marshal
• Military police
• Mounted police
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