Red-light cameras across Ontario target civilian drivers routinely, yet emergency response officers report facing unfair penalties from the same systems. The Windsor Police Association, representing nearly 500 officers, states that a first red-light camera ticket results in a six-hour pay deduction, escalating to 12 hours for repeat offenses.
Union Leaders Advocate for Discretion in Emergency Responses
“You’re working a day and a half for free,” explains Kent Rice, president of the Windsor Police Association. He emphasizes that officers receive extensive training and exercise professional judgment, including navigating intersections during urgent situations.
Rice argues that the legislation never intended to undermine this discretion. “I understand balancing public safety, but I also believe this was never the intent of the legislation put in place. They’re given discretion for a reason,” he says. “I don’t think the public would agree that this is what the intent of the legislation should be.”
For instance, during a priority call like an active domestic incident, break-in, or shooting, an officer might make a right turn on red at night. “You can see from blocks around that nobody is coming,” Rice notes, highlighting how call type, time, and intersection conditions influence decisions. He urges focus on the emergency without fear of discipline.
Officers Share Personal Experiences of Demoralization
An anonymous Windsor officer, responding to a Priority 1 call—the highest urgency level—received a ticket but made a timely arrest. Instead of commendation, the officer faced a six-hour pay cut. “Instead of getting a, ‘Great work, you caught the guy,’ it’s, ‘Here’s your six-hour tariff,'” the officer recounts.
In the heat of the moment, safe driving remains paramount: officers slow nearly to a stop, check surroundings, and proceed if clear to pursue suspects. “We all drive safely. You roll to almost a complete stop, you look both ways and if it’s clear, you go because your mindset is, ‘I gotta catch this guy.’ That’s what we signed up to do.”
The aftermath brings frustration: “Anger is the emotion. You feel so betrayed by your organization.” This leads to hesitation during responses, eroding morale and feeling like unwarranted punishment. The officer calls for a rational review of circumstances to apply exemptions.
Rice adds that even full stops at intersections don’t always prevent penalties, as rapid acceleration in cruisers can trigger cameras. No cases exist where pay docking was avoided, he confirms.
Legal Framework and Accountability Measures
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act permits officers to proceed through red lights with activated lights and sirens after stopping, if safe. The City of Windsor operates 20 such cameras, including at Huron Church Road and Tecumseh Road West.
While rare, crashes involving first responders do occur; a 2024 Winnipeg case saw an officer plead guilty after an emergency response collision. Rice stresses existing accountability, including internal reviews, the Special Investigations Unit, and the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency. “That’s the goal of it. The officer has to come up to the intersection—they use discretion and judgment,” he says.
Comparisons with Other Emergency Services
Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services paramedics face potential discipline for camera detections, but the County of Essex handles tickets and investigates each case. Windsor firefighters pay tickets personally, though past traffic light override technology minimized issues; current upgrades leave trucks without this feature temporarily.
The City of Windsor reviews images and exempts tickets if emergency lights and sirens appear visible. In Toronto, the Police Service conducts internal reviews for exemptions before docking pay; penalties apply only if unjustified.
Similar Issues in London
London Police Association president Gareth Harris reports automatic pay losses for members, citing a recent call for a non-breathing infant where an officer arrived first to assist but lost six hours for not fully stopping on a nighttime right turn with lights and sirens active. “That’s a pretty serious call in our estimation,” Harris states. “In most circumstances, I think most people would say that should be a justifiable offence.”
He seeks consideration of call type, weather, traffic, and time. The London Police Service confirms reviews for justification, taking no action if warranted.
Government Stance on First Responder Discipline
The provincial Ministry of the Solicitor General directs inquiries on internal practices to the respective organizations, declining to address whether red-light cameras were meant for disciplining first responders.
