London's Chief of Police has released a statement following the Ontario government's decision to walk back previously announced enforcement guidelines for police.
Late Saturday evening, the Ontario government scaled back their initial regulations laid out on Friday, which would have allowed officers to make random checks of anyone outside their homes, requiring information on why they were out and where they lived.
Now, the guidelines say that police will only have that power if they suspect an individual is somehow in breach of the stay-at-home order.
In response, London's Chief of Police, Steve Williams said that London Police will continue to focus on 4E's in regard to their COVID-19 response plan: engaging, explaining, educating and enforcing.
London Police had previously said they would not be partaking in random checks, despite being given the authority by the province.
"Officers continue to have the authority to disperse gatherings, and ticket individuals and corporations found to be in contravention of the legislation and ‘stay-at-home’ order," said Williams in a statement. "The updated regulation provides police with the authority to obtain information when officers suspect that an individual may be participating in a social gathering that is prohibited. This will generally be related to whether those involved are members of the same household."
Williams went on to thank the provincial government for listening to the concerns from members of the police, as well as to the citizens of London for their patience.
Further information on the latest COVID-19 regulations in Ontario can be found here.
-With files from Ruby Sweeney
