Marine Unit

The Toronto Police Marine Unit has been a support unit within the Toronto Police Service since its amalgamation with the Toronto Harbour Police in October 1982. The Harbour Police had its origins in the nineteenth century when it was known as the Lifesaving and Police Patrol.

The Unit operates 365 days a year - 24 hours a day and is responsible for a 460 square mile patrol area (that's twice the size of the city of Toronto). In addition to policing and providing emergency service to the Toronto Island community, the unit is also responsible for all calls relating to water; i.e. rivers, creeks and ponds within the city boundaries.

The unit is responsible for all search and rescue operations in the Toronto area; ice rescues, river rescues, underwater search and recovery and enforcement of all laws relating to boating.

The Marine Unit is comprised of one Staff Inspector, one Staff Sergeant, seven Sergeants, thirty seven Constables, three civilian Crewhands and five Mechanics.

In addition to this specialized staff, the Marine Unit has strengthened its commitment to the community by developing a partnership with the Toronto Ambulance Service. Paramedics now work alongside the police crew on the first response boats. This innovation is a first in North America.

The Marine Unit's fleet consists of a large scale rescue boat, four regular patrol boats, two medium size fast response boats and an airboat used for operating over ice.

The Marine Unit responded to 1,556 recorded calls for assistance from boaters throughout 1999. Assisting capsized sailors, helping boaters in trouble and attending medical emergencies on both land and water are all in a day's work.

The Marine Unit plays a vital role in community policing. Over two thousand recorded visitors and dignitaries attended the Marine Unit last year. The unit employs and trains 76 part-time lifeguards who patrol Toronto area beaches during the summer. In addition, the unit has developed a water wise education program for all city schools in close proximity to Toronto's many bodies of water.

With a hundred and fifty years of experience behind it, the Toronto Police Marine Unit is well equipped to "Serve and Protect" our community as we enter the new millennium.