Operational Support Bureau

The 26 sworn and two civilian members of the Operational Support Bureau provide operational support to frontline and specialized units within York Regional Police. The bureau is comprised of the Air Support, Canine, Dispute Management, Emergency Preparedness, Firearms, Public Order and Search and Rescue Units. Unit commanders can also call on 358 additional specially-trained officers across York Regional Police when large-scale public order or emergency incidents require them to respond.

Emergency Preparedness

The best way to handle an emergency is to be prepared. If you would like more information on what to do in an emergency, click here for our Emergency Preparedness Information guides.

Additionally, the Emergency Supply unit assists York Police during homicide invesitgations, search for missing persons and other critical incidents.

Public Order and Search and Rescue Units

The Public Order Unit held four training exercises in 2011, the largest of which occurred in November and involved the Vaughan Fire Department and York Emergency Medical Services (Special Response Unit) replicating a large scale civil disruption. Members from the Canadian Military Training and Development Organization attended the training session to ascertain how the military might be able to participate in future training.

In 2011 there was a marked increase in the number of searches the Search and Rescue Unit conducted in support of Investigative Units, including seven large scale evidence searches and eight neighbourhood canvasses. This is indicative of the continued growth of the Search and Rescue Unit's role as a support unit to other areas of York Regional Police. As part of our ongoing initiative to increase our in-house expertise and accreditation, officers in the Search and Rescue Unit instructional cadre obtained qualifications permitting them to teach urban search and rescue techniques.