Court Operations
Court Operations
The Court Services Branch is a unit that has several responsibilities within the Windsor Police Service. Its primary function is to provide security for the three courts that the Service are involved with - the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court located at 245 Windsor as well as the Provincial Offences Court that is located at 350 Goyeau Street. There are seven constables and one sergeant assigned to the unit to provide this security which involves preventing disturbances in the public areas and keeping all of the officers of the court safe so that they can perform their functions efficiently.
Court Services is also responsible for the transportation of prisoners from the Windsor Jail to the various court buildings and delivering these remanded persons to their specific court appearances. This function is done primarily by a group of eleven Special Constables and is overseen by a Special Constable Supervisor.
The last function of the Court Services Branch is to work closely with the Office of the Crown Attorney to assist in the case management of current files. This is accomplished in several ways. One example would be that as Crown Attorneys review files, two constables assist them in liaising with the investigating officers to deliver any updated evidence that is deemed to be required. A second example would be in the delivery of summons and subpoenas to witnesses and accused persons. This is accomplished by a group of police cadets and a civilian clerk who attempt to serve these documents and then input their actions to keep the court files and witness lists current for the Crown Attorneys. A final example would be the work of a clerk in the Provincial Offences Court who ensures that all witnesses for that court are subpoenaed and any required documentation from the various Ministries that are affected are requested and then delivered to court on time.