Toronto Police Service - CCTV cameras - CCTV signs

The objectives of the Toronto Police Service CCTV Program is:

  • to deter crime;
  • anti-social behavior;
  • to increase Public Safety;
  • to use the camera as evidence to identify suspects involved in criminal activities;
  • to use the cameras in court to assist with the prosecution of criminal behaviour.

The Toronto Police Service will keep control of and be responsible for the CCTV installations in the area. TPS recognizes that CCTV must balance the needs of safety and the communities’ reasonable expectation of privacy and will ensure complete transparency with regards to any installations in your area.

What does it mean if an area has been identified as a possible location for CCTV cameras?

If the Toronto Police Service has identified your area as a possible location for the installation of CCTV cameras, they are being installed to help discourage people from committing crimes, and may help to identify people who commit crimes. 

What laws will Toronto Police Service follow in using the CCTV system?

The Toronto Police Service follow the applicable privacy sections of the Ontario Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), and will use the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s  (IPC) guidelines in its practices related to the collection, use, sharing, storage and disposal of any information received from CCTV systems.

How does the Toronto Police Service decide if CCTV will be installed?

When considering a location there are several factors that must be considered before moving forward:

  1. The Toronto Police Service Division responsible for policing in your community has identified safety concerns;
  2. detailed statistical analysis has been put together to validate the installation of a CCTV system;
  3. authority to install a CCTV must be given by a Command Officer for any CCTV installation; and
  4. consultation with any relevant community member who may be affected.

 

Where will Toronto Police Service CCTV place Systems and Equipment?

Toronto Police Service will only install CCTV cameras in public areas. Toronto Police Service will not place CCTV cameras anywhere that the public should reasonably expect privacy. For example, Toronto Police Service will not place cameras inside any public or private facilities.

Any information recorded by the Toronto Police Service CCTV will be kept for a period of 72 hours, before being recorded over. Video will only be kept longer than the retention period as part of a criminal investigation.

The Toronto Police Service will place signs below any camera installation.

Does the Toronto Police Service actively monitor CCTV Cameras?

The Toronto Police Service does not actively monitor any cameras installed in public spaces. The only time video may be actively monitored is when the Toronto Police Service receives information through 911 or other sources indicating there is an ongoing crime or incident. Once the crime or incident has concluded, the monitoring is shut down.

Who can ask to see what is recorded by CCTV?

Any person who has been recorded by a CCTV system has a right to see what the record shows if it is still stored by Toronto Police Service “as long as it has been requested within 72 hours”. This right is guaranteed by the Ontario Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)

If you believe there is ongoing criminal activity, contact your local division or contact Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477.  If there is an emergency, call 911.