Five existing Kingston by-law officers will undergo training and will be given certain police powers, including making arrests.
Kingston council will explore a special constable program in a bid to reduce call times for lower priority calls.
Up to five existing by-law officers will undergo a minimum of five weeks training of the Community Safety and Policing Act, and will be given certain police powers, including making arrests.
Kingston Police Deputy Chief Scott Gee explained how a detention would work.
Gee said they'll help with resources to get the city's program up and running.
Gee said their response time for lower priority calls is lower than they want it to be and this program can change that.
Details need to be ironed out but the special constables will likely assist with trespassing, homeless encampments, liquor control violations and more.
Story by Grant Deme
Southeast Public Health - No decision to pause satellite office closures yet
Family of missing Kingston man worried about his well being
Cost of policing in Kingston expected to climb after budget approval
Working group to review role of Kingston city council members
Violent gas-and-dash leads to arrests after two robberies in eastern Ontario

