Public access to police records and information is regulated by provincial and federal legislation. Different types of records may have different processes and restrictions.
Under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) individuals can request access to any record held by WRPS. This includes your personal information and the information of others with their written consent.
The Service produces a Public Information Index / Directory of Records that lists and describes the available different types.
These requests are coordinated through a dedicated team, the Access to Information Unit. If you have any questions about the process, email foi@wrps.on.ca.
Collision reports can be requested by the person or business directly involved through their insurance company. Accident Support Services supplies the reports.
For other enquiries:
Individuals or law firms can request officer notes, photos, reconstruction reports or witness statements by submitting an Access to Information or Correction Request.
An occurrence summary is a very brief report which summarizes police involvement in an incident. This type of request is typically made for insurance purposes. It can be requested by the insurance company whose insured is directly involved, the law firm representing the client, or the person or company directly involved. Each report costs $56.50 (including HST) and takes approximately three weeks to process.
To request an occurrence summary, complete this form and submit the fee:
In non-criminal matters (e.g., civil or family matters), one or more parties may want to interview an investigator to help assess liability or damages.
Criminal matters are dealt with through the Crown's Office. The matter must not be before the Criminal or Provincial Offences Court unless the prosecutor has been consulted and consents.
No information that would violate any one or more of the following Acts shall be provided in an interview:
The requester must have:
The cost to interview an investigator is $175 + HST per hour if the officer is not on overtime. $262.50 + HST per hour if overtime is involved.
Please complete the Request to Interview an Investigator Form
A tribunal, justice of the peace or judge can order records to be produced through one of these methods. Please seek independent legal advice.
Complete the Access to Information or Correction Request form.
Mail the form, a legible photocopy of one piece of acceptable identification and the $5.00 application fee (money order or certified cheque) to:
Access to Information Unit
Waterloo Regional Police Service
P.O. Box 3070
200 Maple Grove Road
Cambridge, ON N3H 5M1
There is an initial $5.00 application fee, and additional fees may apply upon completion, such as $0.20 per page for photocopying.
The legislated timeline is 30 - 60 days.
You can indicate the date the report is required when the request is submitted, however we cannot guarantee the records will be ready in advance of the legislated timeline.
This depends on what is being requested and whether or not anyone else is involved in the incident. The personal information of other individuals will be redacted (blacked out) unless consent from those individuals is provided. Requests are processed in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Yes, your lawyer may act as your personal agent and apply for access, however, the same access rules apply whether it is you or your lawyer who is making the application.
As a landlord, you have access to information about the property. For example, you would be entitled to the portions of a report describing the damage to a unit. If you are seeking copies of reports involving your tenants where no property damage was noted by police, consent is required.
After you have made a request and received your information, you have the right to request:
To request a correction, you must complete an Access to Information or Correction Request form, include a legible photocopy of one piece of acceptable identification and include the $5.00 application fee mailed to:
Access to Information Unit
Waterloo Regional Police Service
P.O. Box 3070
200 Maple Grove Road
Cambridge, ON N3H 5M1
Once a decision has been made, you will be notified in writing.