Highlights
Investigative Services is comprised of general and specialized investigative units that each support the front-line operations with unique training and skills. These units offered support to numerous investigations throughout 2022 with some of the most notable listed below.
On November, 19, 2021 a 17-year-old male was shot and killed at his home address. The Major Crime and Homicide Unit took over the investigation from the front-line and within 48 hours one 18-year-old and two 17-year-olds were charged with first degree murder.
On Sunday August 28 at approximately 2 a.m., while conducting a missing persons investigation, uniformed officers located a vehicle in a large hole at a construction site in the middle of McKay Road. Unfortunately, all six missing young people had perished and the Major Crime and Homicide Unit took over the investigation from the front-line. After a complex investigation a construction company was charged with six counts of criminal negligence causing death.
On July 22, 2022 the Barrie Police Fraud Unit successfully arrested a 24-year-old Quebec man with several fraud-related charges including fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. Investigators estimate that victims had lost up to $90,000 in this grandparents scam over the one-week time period before his arrest. The Fraud Unit continues to provide educational awareness to the community and work with citizens to prevent these types of frauds from happening.
Forensic Identification
TYPES OF OCCURRENCES
|
|
DNA TASKS PERFORMED(WARRANTS/CONSENTS) |
31 |
FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATIONS |
48 |
PHOTO LINEUPS |
32 |
TYPES OF SCENES ATTENDED |
|
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDES |
5 |
FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS |
5 |
FIRE INVESTIGATIONS |
16 |
FOUND BONES* |
9 |
POST-MORTEMS (AUTOPSIES) |
26 |
SEARCH WARRANTS |
20 |
SUDDEN DEATH |
143 |
WEAPONS (GUN/KNIFE) |
48 |
*Includes human and/or animal bones
The Forensic Identification Unit is the “Crime Scene Investigations Unit” of the Barrie Police Service and comprised of specially trained Forensic Identification and Scenes of Crime Officers who support the front-line with complex investigations that require evidence gathering and analysis.
As technology is relied upon more heavily by society, so too is the Crime Lab of the Barrie Police Service. This Unit continuously provides support to investigations and is essential in the gathering evidence from a wide array of devices including computers, cellphones and tablets.
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
| 911 CALLS RETRIEVED FOR INVESTIGATION | 410 | 599 | 890 |
| CCTV BUSINESS VIDEOS OBTAINED* | 260 | 250 | 260 |
| CCTV DOWNTOWN VIDEO REQUEST | 39 | 30 | 56 |
| CUSTODY & BOOKING VIDEO RETRIEVAL | 232 | 364 | 383 |
| ELECTRONIC DEVICES SEIZED | 12 | 12 | 15 |
| POLICE ASSIST | 6 | 12 | 16 |
| RESIDENTIAL VIDEO SEIZED | 30 | 45 | 40 |
| VETTING/REDACTING OF VIDEO & AUDIO | 19 | 26 | 6 |
| VIDEO ANALYZING, IMAGE CLARITY | 190 | 296 | 300 |
| *CCTV – Closed-circuit television | |||
Internet Child Exploitation (ICE)
The ICE Unit responds to internet based crimes against children and performs investigations of online victimization of children which may occur via the possession, distribution, and/or accessing of child pornography, or by the luring of children for a sexual purpose via the Internet. The Barrie Police Service reminds parents to remain vigilant of their children’s activities online and to report any suspicious interactions.
Digital Crimes Investigated
Online Child Exploitation Investigations
Online Child Exploitation Arrests
Human Trafficking & Victim Supports
The Human Trafficking Unit is responsible for conducting investigations into the trafficking of victims through sexual, labour and other exploitations. The Unit is committed to developing a trauma-informed approach and ensuring that victims feel comfortable reporting and removing themselves from dangerous situations. The Unit partners with the Canadian Police College, Adjunct Faculty Program, and teaches best practices for conducting human trafficking investigations.
Investigations
Criminal Code Charges
Victims Assisted
Success Story
In 2022, eight victims came forward who were exploited in the sex trade through an escort agency. Due to the wrap around community supports established through the investigation, all eight victims attended court and testified and are now being supported in their journeys of recovery.
Interviews Conducted at the Child Advocacy Centre
Vulnerable Person Registrations
Referrals to Victim Services of Simcoe County (VSSC)
Reports Filed Through The Speak Out App
The Human Trafficking Unit continues to access grants to further expand their training and outreach in the community. The Unit created inclusive interview rooms at the Barrie Police Headquarters and the Barrie Native Friendship Center to tackle barriers to reporting and provide a safe space for victims to report and remove themselves from dangerous situations.
Joint & Internal Forces Operations
PROJECT HOLCUS
On June 8, 2022 the Barrie Police Service, in partnership with members of the Ontario Provincial Police’s Central Region Community Street Crime Unit, charged 11 people with 104 offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Criminal Code as part of a joint drug trafficking investigation in Simcoe County. The investigation removed over 5,000 street-level doses of fentanyl and resulted in searches in Springwater Township, Barrie and across the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Whitby and Ajax.
As a result of this investigation, across Ontario police seized:
• 2014 BMW B7X
• Bullet Proof Vest
• $81,460 Canadian Currency
• 18 Cellular phones
• Cutting Agent
• 8 Digital Scales
• FBE 509 Handgun
• 3 Glock Handguns
- 3,358 grams of Cocaine
- 33 grams of Crack Cocaine
- 509 grams of Fentanyl
- 347 grams of Heroin
- 741 grams of Methamphetamine
- 2015 Infinity Q5S
- 2014 Jeep Cherokee
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- 2017 Mercedes C45
- Money Counter
- 42 Rounds of .40cal ammunition
- 73 Rounds of 9mm ammunition
- 1,446 unidentified prescription capsules
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Joint Force Operations
Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET)
Ontario Strategy to Combat Internet Crimes Against Children
Provincial Intelligence-Led Human Trafficking Strategy (IJFS)
Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE)
Provincial Guns & Gangs Enforcement Team
Organized Crime Towing Industry Project
Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU)
Serious Frauds Office