The Ontario Provincial Police may be going gender-neutral, but it does not look like municipal police services in Southwestern Ontario plan to follow suit.
On Monday, the OPP announced it would no longer refer to suspects or victims of crime by their gender. It said the change reflects Ontario human rights and privacy laws. It also said it wanted to be more progressive.
Instead, the OPP will refer to suspects and victims of crime as "the accused," "the driver," "a person of interest," or "the individual."
Staff Sergeant and Media Relations Coordinator Carolle Dionne told BlackburnNews.com there would be exceptions.
"There are some provisions. Where we need descriptors to help locate a missing person, locate somebody that's a suspect," said Dionne.
Provincial police point out there is no longer a requirement to list gender on drivers' licenses and other pieces of identification.
The policy went into effect in May and Dionne said most detachments are complying with the rule.
At the Windsor Police Service, Sergeant Steve Betteridge does not anticipate any change in policy. He said the service already adheres to a list of laws in effect meant to protect privacy, human rights, and the integrity of prosecutions.
"Nothing trumps community safety," he said. "So as a hypothetical example, if we're seeking a suspect that is unknown and wanted in a criminal offence, that may be very useful information for our public to know."
Responding via email, London police media officer Sandasha Bough said, "the Police Services Act and related regulations provide the Chief with the discretionary ability to release personal information in specified circumstances. This includes the discretion to release information related to an individual's gender in appropriate circumstances."
Both police services issue several media releases daily in a bid to inform the public and seek help investigating crimes, something Betteridge called invaluable.
"The community and the public are the eyes and ears for the police," he said. "We can not do our job without the community's backing and participation and assistance."
BlackburnNews.com has also reached out to the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
