Legal Issues In Policing

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Court of Quebec decision R. v. Reddick, 2026 QCCQ 4237, where police conducted a warrantless inventory search of an impounded vehicle. An officer opened the trunk, lifted the floor covering to inspect the spare-tire compartment, and found a knotted bag. The officer untied the knotted bag and found two more knotted bags nested within one another, which he also untied to discover 500 grams of heroin. The accused attacked the officer's so called 'inventory search' in several ways, suggesting it was an investigatory search for incriminating evidence masked as an inventory. Did the judge buy what the defence was selling? Or was the search valid, conducted for legitimate inventory purposes while also respecting the scope of such a search? What you learn from this case may help you defend your conduct in similar circumstances.  

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Ontario Court of Justice decision R. v. Nikocevic,  2026 ONCJ 429, where a police officer's arrest was challenged on the basis that he did not comply with the statutorily binding public interest and court appearance factors found in s. 495(2) of the Criminal Code when making an arrest under s. 495(1). In cross examination, the officer was questioned about the limitations on his power of arrest. However, he did not expressly refer to the public interest or court appearance considerations. Did the absence of evidence from the officer specifically addressing s. 495(2) render the arrest unlawful? Or could the judge nevertheless conclude the arrest was lawful from an objective view of the evidence? Just what did the judge conclude?

Arrest without warrant by peace officer

495 (1) A peace officer may arrest without warrant
(a) a person who has committed an indictable offence or who, on reasonable grounds, he believes has committed or is about to commit an indictable offence;
(b) a person whom he finds committing a criminal offence; or
(c) a person in respect of whom he has reasonable grounds to believe that a warrant of arrest or committal, in any form set out in Part XXVIII in relation thereto, is in force within the territorial jurisdiction in which the person is found.

Limitation
(2) A peace officer shall not arrest a person without warrant for
(a) an indictable offence mentioned in section 553,
(b) an offence for which the person may be prosecuted by indictment or for which he is punishable on summary conviction, or
(c) an offence punishable on summary conviction,
in any case where
(d) he believes on reasonable grounds that the public interest, having regard to all the circumstances including the need to
(i) establish the identity of the person,
(ii) secure or preserve evidence of or relating to the offence, or
(iii) prevent the continuation or repetition of the offence or the commission of another offence,
may be satisfied without so arresting the person, and
(e) he has no reasonable grounds to believe that, if he does not so arrest the person, the person will fail to attend court in order to be dealt with according to law.

Consequences of arrest without warrant
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a peace officer acting under subsection (1) is deemed to be acting lawfully and in the execution of his duty for the purposes of
(a) any proceedings under this or any other Act of Parliament; and
(b) any other proceedings, unless in any such proceedings it is alleged and established by the person making the allegation that the peace officer did not comply with the requirements of subsection (2).

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Ontario Court of Justice decision R. v. Angelone,  2026 ONCJ 559, where a police officer relied on an Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) hit that a vehicle was stolen as grounds for arrest. When the driver's satchel was searched, police found carfentanil. In court, the driver argued: (1) his arrest was arbitrary because the ALPR hit did not provide the necessary grounds to arrest him under s. 495(1) of the Criminal Code; (2) even if grounds existed under s. 495(1), the officer ought not to have arrested him because of s. 495(2); (3) the search of his satchel was not lawful as an incident to arrest; (4) the police failed to release him as soon as practicable; and (5) the police did not respect his right to counsel. This episode is full of information. Listen to learn what the police did right — and wrong.

Arrest without warrant by peace officer

495 (1) A peace officer may arrest without warrant
(a) a person who has committed an indictable offence or who, on reasonable grounds, he believes has committed or is about to commit an indictable offence;
(b) a person whom he finds committing a criminal offence; or
(c) a person in respect of whom he has reasonable grounds to believe that a warrant of arrest or committal, in any form set out in Part XXVIII in relation thereto, is in force within the territorial jurisdiction in which the person is found.

Limitation
(2) A peace officer shall not arrest a person without warrant for
(a) an indictable offence mentioned in section 553,
(b) an offence for which the person may be prosecuted by indictment or for which he is punishable on summary conviction, or
(c) an offence punishable on summary conviction,
in any case where
(d) he believes on reasonable grounds that the public interest, having regard to all the circumstances including the need to
(i) establish the identity of the person,
(ii) secure or preserve evidence of or relating to the offence, or
(iii) prevent the continuation or repetition of the offence or the commission of another offence,
may be satisfied without so arresting the person, and
(e) he has no reasonable grounds to believe that, if he does not so arrest the person, the person will fail to attend court in order to be dealt with according to law.

Consequences of arrest without warrant
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a peace officer acting under subsection (1) is deemed to be acting lawfully and in the execution of his duty for the purposes of
(a) any proceedings under this or any other Act of Parliament; and
(b) any other proceedings, unless in any such proceedings it is alleged and established by the person making the allegation that the peace officer did not comply with the requirements of subsection (2).

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Ontario Court of Appeal decision R. v. Randall,  2026 ONCA 631, where a police officer stopped a driver for tinted windows and saw an unwrapped cannabis vape pen in plain sight near the gearshift. Thinking he had enough grounds under Ontario's Cannabis Control Act for a search of the driver and the vehicle, the officer ultimately discovered controlled substances, evidence of trafficking, cash and a loaded handgun. A trial judge found the police breached the driver's Charter rights because the observation of the cannabis vape pen did not provide reasonable grounds there was improperly stored cannabis in the vehicle. All of the evidence was excluded and the driver was acquitted of the 21 criminal charges he faced. On appeal by Crown, Ontario's top court revisited the reasonable grounds issue. Did it agree with the trial judge? Or did it  come to a different conclusion? 

s. 12 Ontario's Cannabis Control Act:

Transporting cannabis

12(1) No person shall drive or have the care or control of a vehicle or boat, whether or not it is in motion, while any cannabis is contained in the vehicle or boat.

Exception

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to cannabis that,

(a) is in its original packaging and has not been opened; or

(b) is packed in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to any person in the vehicle or boat.

Search of vehicle or boat

(3) A police officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that cannabis is being contained in a vehicle or boat in contravention of subsection (1) may at any time, without a warrant, enter and search the vehicle or boat and search any person found in it.

Other references:

• R. v. Randall, 2025 ONCJ 337 (application to exclude evidence)
• R. v. McGowan-Morris, 2025 ONCA 349 (s. 10(b) RTC)

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In this episode, Mike responds to a listener's question about whether a search would still be lawful if an officer had multiple, simultaneous reasons for searching, and the court found some — but not all of the reasons — were objectively unreasonable? Would having an invalid reason in mind when searching nullify a coexistent valid reason for a search? 

References:

• R. v. Spice, 2026 SKPC 14
• R. v. Annett, 17 C.C.C. (3d) 332 (Ont. C.A.) leave to appeal refused, [1985] 1 S.C.R. v.
• R. v. Dreyer, 2008 BCCA 89
• R. v. Nolet, 2010 SCC 24
• R. v. Caprara, 2006 Canlii 18518 (ONCA)
• R. v. Chubak, 2009 ABCA 8
• U.S. v. Hollaus, 2022 BCCA 272
• R. v. Russell, 2017 BCPC 60
• R. v. Dunkley, 2016 ONCA 597
• R. v. Cuff, 2018 ONCA 276
• R. v. Cooper, 2016 BCPC 259
• R. v. Ellis, 2013 ONSC 1494
• R. v. Daigle, 1994 CanLII 214 (BCCA)
• R. v. Caslake, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 51

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Supreme Court of Canada decision Edmonton Police Service v. McKee, 2026 SCC 24, where a police detective's expunged discipline record became an issue at trial. Did a provision in Alberta's Police Services Regulation removing a misconduct finding from an officer's disciplinary file also render the misconduct non-disclosable for criminal law purposes? Or did the expunged record still need to be disclosed by Crown to the accused because it may have been relevant to the detective's credibility, reliability or conduct during the investigation?

See also:

• R. v. McNeil, 2009 SCC 3 
• R. v. Stinchcombe, [1991] 3 SCR 326

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Ontario Court of Appeal decision R. v. Hayatibahar, 2026 ONCA 507, where police arrested two men for impaired driving following a fatal crash. The catch? There was only one driver. Was the arrest of both men for an offence that could only have been committed by one of them justified? And was a search of the accused's pockets at the hospital some two hours after his arrest reasonable? Or was the arrest unlawful resulting in s. 8 (unreasonable search) and s. 9 (arbitrary detention) Charter breaches? 

Related lower court cases:

• 2022 ONSC 1281 (Charter application)
• 2022 ONSC 3692 (reasons for judgment)
• 2022 ONSC 5154 (reasons for sentence)

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Saskatchewan Provincial Court decision R. v. Spice, 2026 SKPC 14, where a police officer searched a truck after arresting its driver for impaired. The officer testified he searched the truck — which was being impounded — as an incident to arrest to ensure there was nothing that would be dangerous to the tow truck driver. During the search, the officer saw a box of watermelon vodka. At trial, the accused wanted this observation, along with the certificate of analysis of his breath samples, excluded under s. 24(2) of the Charter. As for the vehicle search, the Crown submitted the officer was permitted to search the vehicle as an incident to arrest to discover evidence that may be used at the accused's trial. Was the search lawful as an incident to arrest? Could the Crown save the search by providing an objectively reasonable purpose for it that was not articulated by the officer? Listen carefully as this case underscores the importance of not only knowing your authorities but also the reasons for which they may be exercised. 

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In this episode, Mike discusses implied licence and the impact of a "NO TRESPASSING" sign. Does the posting of such a sign neuter the implied licence doctrine or does it merely state what the law already recognizes: a person entering onto another's property must have a legitimate reason for doing so? Doesn't implied licence provide members of the public, including police officers, the right to enter private property on legitimate business so long as they do not otherwise exceed the scope of the doctrine? What effect, if any, would a "NO TRESPASSING" sign — standing alone — have on this longstanding common law invitation to knock? Listen as Mike tries to make his case. 

Cases referenced:

• R. v. Evans, [1996] 1 SCR 8
• R. v. Singer, 2026 SCC 6
• R. v. Skerratt, 2003 BCPC 456
• Larkin v. Bourque, 2026 NSSC 75
• Entick v. Carrington (1765), 2 Wils. K.B. 275

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In this episode, Mike discusses the Quebec Court of Appeal decision R. v. Paul, 2026 QCCA 552, where a police officer saw a known drug user acting suspiciously late at night. This person was nervous, evasive and appeared uncomfortable about police presence. After speaking with the man, police  surreptitiously followed him, saw him approach a running vehicle with its headlights out, and watched as he appeared to interact with its driver. After noticing police, the man fled. Police then approached the vehicle and, using a flashlight, lit up its interior to find it occupied and observed an electronic scale with white residue on the floor. Police ordered the driver out of the vehicle to arrest him for drug possession and saw a baggie of cocaine on the seat where he was sitting. The driver was subsequently charged with PPT. Was the officer justified in approaching the vehicle? Was the use of a flashlight a search? Did the officer have enough grounds for an arrest? Did pulling back the arrestee's pants and underwear waistband when frisking him at the roadside amount to a "strip search"?

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