The duties of an officer varies depending on his or her rank, the Unit he or she is assigned, and other factors.

PATROL OFFICERS

Most constables begin their careers as Uniform Patrol Officers.  Officers in this position Officers are the most visible members of the Niagara Regional Police Service, and are commonly the first line of contact with members of the public.  They interact formally and informally with the community to provide assistance, information, advise, and education that promotes public safety and awareness.

• Law enforcement
• Investigate offences
• Arrest offenders
• Document occurrences and other information related to incidents
• Process evidence
• Keep accurate records and write reports
• Prepare cases for court and testify in court

At all times, Uniform Patrol Officers conduct themselves in a manner that protects lives and property, maintains order and provides assistance to those in need.  The experience and training gained as a Uniform Patrol Officer is fundamental to virtually every other police position or rank in the Niagara Regional Police Service.

DUTIES WHEN ASSIGNED TO UNITS

During a police officer's career, he or she may be assigned or apply for positions with various Units in the Niagara Regional Police Service.  These Units serve specific purposes within our organization, and have varying mandates as to the services and functions of law enforcement they provide.  For example, the functions of our Traffic Unit vary greatly from those of the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit, or many others making up our Service.  A small selection of some of the Units in our Service include:

• Arson
• Canine
• Child Abuse
• Detectives
• Emergency Task Unit
• Explosives Disposal Unit
• Forensic Services
• Fraud
• Major Crime
• Polygraph Unit
• Sexual Assault
• Street Crime

To view additional information on the various Units that serve the community, visit our Units Web page.  Here you will find links to each Units individual section on our Web site, which contain specific information related to them.

SPECIAL DUTIES

Special Duties involve events that occur within the Region that require a police presence.  They may involve working at festivals, concerts, nightclubs or other locations that require a police presence.  Due to the high amount of tourism to the Niagara Region, there are many opportunities throughout the year to work additional hours at these special events or locations.  Although they are not part of an officer's regular duties, they provide constables with the opportunity to gain new experiences, and become more involved with the community.

TASK FORCES

Task Forces are temporary Units that are created for the purpose of a specific mission.  Members of these organizational units may have any number of duties assigned to them to achieve the goal they're responsible in accomplishing.  Some of the reasons that may require a Task Force being formed include:

• The investigation of a Major Crime, such as a series of murders that are or may be related.
• An increase in incidents involving a particular type of crime, such as marijuana grow operations.
• Other incidents or events that require a focused effort but do not necessitate a permanent unit being formed.

JOINT FORCE OPERATIONS

The Niagara Regional Police Service has a tradition of working with other police services and law enforcement organizations.  At times, members of our Service work on extended investigative projects and Joint Force Investigations with such law enforcement agencies as the O.P.P. and R.C.M.P.  Some of the Joint Force Operations our Service has joined or led include:

• Project OVERDUE
  This eight month investigation into an organized crime group led to 12 arrests and 64 criminal charges. 
   
• Project EXPIATE
  Investigation of a series of organized crime homicides lead to the arrest and conviction of several figures in organized crime. 
   
• Project RETIRE
  A three year investigation that aimed at eradicating the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang involved thirteen different agencies and 80 Emergency Task Unit officers, in which 60 search warrants were executed. The gang's St. Catharines clubhouse and a Niagara Falls massage parlour were seized, and any insignia relating to the organization was removed or obliterated. 
   
• Project TANDUM
  This 18 month investigation into the criminal activities of the Hells Angels involved more than 500 officers from the RCMP, OPP, Niagara Regional Police Service, and 8 other police services.  In a 24 hour time period, 21 tactical teams operating simultaneously arrested members of the Hells Angels, Vagabonds and associate members of outlaw motorcycle gangs on charges relating to weapons, drugs, counseling to commit murder, and criminal organization offences.
   
• Project PROTECT
  A joint initiative that involved police services across Ontario that addressed the rise in debit card \ credit card fraud.  Part of this initiative involved police visiting businesses and providing retail owners and employees with information about this crime.
   
• Marine Security Enforcement Team
  This team is a joint initiative with the Marine Unit of the Niagara Regional Police Service, RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, OPP and Toronto Police Service.  Each of the organizational members of the team works together in patrolling the Great Lakes to ensure marine security and enforce laws relating to national security, organized crime and federal statutes.