Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) – formerly known as the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) – is responsible for receiving, managing and overseeing public complaints about misconduct of police officers. LECA accepts complaints about the conduct of the following:
As a civilian arm’s-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, our decisions are independent from the Ontario government, the police, and the community.
LECA no longer has jurisdiction over policing policy, service and complaints regarding members of police service boards. The Inspectorate of Policing will review matters involving the adequacy and effectiveness of police services.
In addition, LECA has the authority to initiate an investigation in the absence of a public complaint if it is in the public interest to do so. We can also retain the ability to conduct systemic reviews of matters that are related to police misconduct.
LECA is also no longer responsible for posting disciplinary hearing decisions on its website. This responsibility now lies with the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission. Lastly, LECA cannot conduct a criminal investigation, direct or lay criminal charges.
We are committed to ensuring that complaints about misconduct of police officers are dealt with in a manner that is transparent, effective, and fair to both the public and the police. Our goal is to provide a fair, independent, transparent and accessible and effective oversight system that will foster confidence and trust in the public complaints process and, in turn, policing.
Our Purpose and Goals
LECA’s vision is to strengthen public trust in policing by delivering independent, timely, and fair investigations, resolving complaints effectively, and addressing systemic issues to improve accountability across Ontario.
Our mission is to conduct and oversee timely, thorough, and impartial investigations into police misconduct; to proactively address emerging issues in policing; and to strengthen public confidence in police oversight across Ontario.
We do this through:
In fulfilling our commitments, we are guided by the following principles:
The agency’s mandate aligns with the Ontario government’s priority of promoting fairness and providing access to justice. Further, it aligns with the ministry’s vision of an innovative, sustainable, and responsive justice system that promotes public confidence and upholds the rule of law.
