The Youth Criminal Justice Act

Came into effect April 1, 2003

Replaced the Young Offenders Act
Designed to provide the legislative framework
for a fairer and more effective youth justice
system
The YCJA introduced significant reforms to
address concerns about how the youth
justice system had evolved under the YOA.
These concerns included:
a) overuse of the courts and
incarceration in less serious cases
b) disparity and unfairness in sentencing
c) a lack of effective reintegration of young people
released from custody
d) the need to better take into account the
interests of victims
In order to establish consistency and best practices, a document called
The Police/School Board Protocol was created. This document is adhered
to by many Boards and Police Departments in Ontario.
This document outlines the partnership between the school and the police
and refers to the proactive approach to providing safe and secure schools for
our students.
It is the official procedure to be considered and followed by many school boards,
including the London District Catholic School Board and the Thames Valley Public
Board. The Boards of Education are required to provide a link to this document
on their school board websites.
***NOTE TO PRINCIPALS***
You must notify parents of the location of the Police/School
Board Protocol Procedure on the Board website in the
first school newsletter in September. You must
indicate that a hard copy is also available at the school.
Mandatory Notification of Police

all deaths
physical assault causing bodily harm
requiring medical attention
sexual assault
robbery
criminal harassment
relationship-based violence
possessing a weapon, including
possessing a firearm
using a weapon to cause or to threaten
bodily harm to another person
trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs
possessing an illegal drug
hate and/or bias motivated occurrences
extortion
arson
gang related occurrences
vandalism causing serious damage
bomb threats
Discretionary Notification of Police

Police response may also be needed in
connection with the following types of
incidents:
giving alcohol to a minor
being under the influence of alcohol
or illegal drugs
threats of serious physical injury,
including threats made on social
networking sites or through instant
messaging, text messaging, e-mail, and
so on
incidents of vandalism
trespassing incident
Highlights for Principals
8.0 Information Sharing and Disclosure................................................................... 11

8.1 Criminal Code....................................................................................................... 11
8.2 Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)..........................................................................12
8.3 Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)...... 12
8.4 Child and Family Services Act (CFSA)....................................................................13
9.0 School Procedures for Reporting to Police ............................................. 13
Mitigating Factors........................................................................................... 15
Some sections to be particularly familiar with:
12.0 Police Interviews of Students.............................................................. 19
14.0 Investigations Involving Students with Special Needs ....................................... 21
15.0 Occurrences Involving Children Under Age 12 ............................................ 22
11.0 Police Investigation of School Incidents..................................................... 17

****11.1 *****Legal Rights***.......................................................................... 17
11.2 Search and Seizure....................................................................................... 17
11.3 Detainment and Arrest ................................................................................18
11.4 Support for Victims...................................................................................... 18
11.5 Access to School Premises Regulation......................................................... 19
and dont forget to refer to your
Handbook for School Leaders
on www.principals.ca
**Chapter 27 Student Safety: Policy, Procedure and Reporting
**Chapter 28 Protecting Our Students at Risk
**Chapter 29 Supporting Our Students
Resources for Principals
to share with Staff
local Police Departments Community Services Department
i.e. London Police Community Services Department
519-661-5515 ext 5680
Chapter 29 in the OPC Handbook for School Leaders
-resources and practices as well as the use of situational
teaching, and a list of community agencies and supports
resources for teachers and parents can be found at
http://www.ojen.ca/home