Firearms

Question 1

Supervision

• Supervisory Officer mandatory attendance when using the authority of ss.117.02(1) or ss.117.04(2) of the Criminal Code to search for firearms, offensive weapons, ammunition or explosive substances

Question 2

Organized Crime Enforcement – Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force (IGGTF) is responsible for the identification and arrest of criminal gunmen and the identification, arrest and dismantling of any gang, criminal organization, or crime group or its members responsible for violent criminal activity within the community, primarily focusing on illegal firearms, drugs and crimes of violence. The IGGTF operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

Question 3

The IGGTF – Firearms Enforcement Unit (FEU) is mandated to identify and take enforcement action against persons involved in the illegal movement of firearms, ammunition and explosives. This includes the offences of smuggling, trafficking and the possession of “crime guns”.

Question 4

Firearms Enforcement Unit – Firearms Investigation & Analysis Unit (FIAU) will streamline firearm investigations and ensure that there is a standard process for investigation and accountability. FIAU screens all firearms, ammunition and casings seized by the Service. FIAU will designate if firearms are criminal or non-criminal. Firearms deemed to be criminal will be examined, which includes verifying, forensic testing, test firing and Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) testing. Examiners also provide expert testimony in court. All firearms, ammunition, projectiles and casings brought into the custody of the Service will be screened through the Detective at FIAU or their designate

Question 5

IGGTF will attend scenes/units to debrief arrested persons in possession of/or firearm related offences. Intelligence – Gang Unit will attend units to de–brief known gang members

Question 6

In addition, all firearms and ammunition seized during an investigation will either be:
• seized by members of IGGTF if they attended the scene/division
• submitted by investigating officer to the divisional DLMS in compliance with Procedure 09–03;
• seized on scene by Forensic Identification Services (FIS)
and forwarded to FIAU for testing and further investigation, as required

Question 7

The IGGTF shall be notified and will attend all firearm–related homicide scenes. The IGGTF investigator shall consult and assist Specialized Criminal Investigations – Homicide, as required

Question 8

Firearms Investigation & Analysis Unit will act as liaison with the Provincial Firearms Tracing and Enforcement (FATE) Unit on behalf of the Service in all matters relating to the tracing of firearms and will ensure that copies of all trace requests are forwarded to Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO) - FATE in a timely manner. Prolonged or multi–jurisdictional tracing investigations shall become the responsibility of FEU following consultation with the local investigator.

Question 9

• ALL firearm trace submissions shall be submitted by ____only.

Answer 9

FIAU

Question 10

All submissions to the Centre for Forensic Sciences (CFS) are now made through the CFS Evidence Web-Submission System.

Question 11

• ALL firearm submissions for testing shall be completed through FIAU only

Question 12

Supervisory Officer

When attending an incident relating to a firearm offence shall

• assume responsibility for the safe and efficient search of the premises
• ensure all powers of search and seizure have been considered
• ensure appropriate units have been notified (e.g. IGGTF, FIS, ETF)
• All submissions for testing shall be completed through FIAU

Question 13

Members of FIAU will prepare and submit all submissions to the CFS.

• notify FIAU via e–mail (Firearm.Analysis@torontopolice.on.ca) of any preliminary hearings or trial dates to allow reasonable time for them to conduct the testing of unmodified firearms for classification and operational purposes in relation to all court proceedings.

• The FIAU investigator will forward the firearms reports and certificate of analysis to the respective case manager ONLY upon request

Question 14

Officer in Charge – Toronto Police Operations Centre

Upon being notified of a call for service relating to a confirmed shooting shall ensure notification of
• Intelligence Services
• Public Safety Response Team
• Integrated Gang and Gun Task Force
• Victim Services Toronto has been notified, or during non-office hours, notify the on-call Victim Services personnel