In the wake of new powers given police by the province earlier in the day, the Guelph Police Service announced Friday night that it "is not our intention" to conduct random vehicle or person stops.
Several other police forces have announced they too will not be making random stops that the province gave it the authority to do earlier in the day in the wake of more stringent lockdown measures.
On Friday afternoon, the Government of Ontario announced several new measures aimed at curbing the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.
"Included in those announced measures were new authorities for police officers under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA)," said a Guelph police news release sent out around 9 p.m Friday.
"The Guelph Police Service will review the new regulations once they are released by the Government to determine the most appropriate response in situations where individuals refuse to comply with public health guidelines. However, it is not our intention to conduct random vehicle or person stops.
"As a Service, we are encouraged that the vast majority in our community have taken COVID restrictions seriously. We recognize it has not been easy and sincerely appreciate the community’s willingness and desire to work together."
The release added that "as information becomes available we will provide further updates impacting police response and the new measures announced today."
Earlier Friday the province announced that starting Saturday "police officers and other provincial offences officers will have the authority to require any individual to provide their home address and purpose for not being at their residence. In addition, police officers, special constables and First Nation Constables will have the authority to stop vehicles to inquire about an individual's reasons for leaving their home. This additional enforcement tool will only be in effect during the Stay-at-Home order and exclusively to enforce the Stay-at-Home order."
Several police forces, including the Waterloo Regional Police, said Friday they would not be making random stops.
