Status: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Cambridge, ON

Working Conditions: Based at Cambridge, with the possibility of a Hybrid

2023 Salary: $158,035 - $185,924

Due Date: May 26, 2023, at 03:00 pm

The overall Job Description is at: https://bit.ly/41mcIfl

Please apply to the job posting by creating your profile on the WRPS career site, and submitting your cover letter and resume to [email protected]

As the Solicitor…

You Will:
• Provide legal services and advice under the direction of and as assigned by the Senior Director of Legal Services and is the backup to the Senior Director in his or her absence. A member of the Chief’s Strategic Advisory Committee and the Senior Leadership Team. Sits on various internal and external committees/projects at the request of the Chief. As assigned, drafts and reviews reports prepared by others at all levels of the Service and provide direction on reports presented to Executive Leadership Team, Chief, or Board;
• Provide professional... advice, obtain instructions, and provide consequential legal services to the Service and the Board (with the approval of the Chief and in consultation or conjunction with the Board’s solicitor(s)) concerning corporate commercial matters, the conduct of members and the prosecution of Police Services Act offences and other matters under the Act, employment and labour relations matters, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy matters.
• Under the direction of the Chief and/or Senior Director of Legal Services, provides legal advice and opinions to the Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Senior Officers, and Members, verbally or through written reports, formal opinions, letters, and memoranda, including research, interpretation of documents, review of proposed policies, legislation and procedures;
• Attend, represent, advocate, negotiate, and defend the interests and positions of the Service (and occasionally the Board on operation-related matters) before various courts, administrative tribunals and mediations, inquests, boards, commissions, and arbitrators, including the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. ;
• Provide and assist the Senior Director of Legal Services with legal-related training and working with multiple divisions and branches of the Service regarding legal and risk management initiatives, objectives, and goals/policies; including the monitoring of such;
• Respond to various civil, criminal, and tribunal-based motions, applications, and summons to WRPS personnel regarding judicially ordered production of records to ensure that privilege and statutory requirements are met and maintained;
• Assist with the coordination and consolidation of contracts involving the Service and/or Board through the maintenance of a computerized filing system to allow for the search of files and track expiry/renewal dates and storage of original contracts. Prepares original contracts and other legal documentation including negotiation of terms, analysis of the impact on Service and third-party interests, inter-departmental and inter-Service consultations, and review of associated precedents and original compositions.
• Provide legal advice to Professional Standards regarding investigations, informal resolutions, and review of draft reports. Acts as Prosecutor for Police Service Act Hearings on behalf of the Chief and as statutorily appointed.
• Arrange for and provides court-ordered production and witnesses. Review internal procedures and policies; interviews employees and provides a summary to Board/Service retained external counsel to assist in the defence of the Board and Members. Provides input to the Regional/Pool Risk Manager on settlement proposals; arranges for the presentation of reports and the status of litigation matters from Insurer and/or Board retained external counsel and answers the Board’s questions thereon. Assists retained external counsel on all matters relating to the provision of legal opinions, defence of civil or administrative matters, and prosecution of litigation matters.
• As assigned, provide advice on, and negotiates with outside counsel, the Crown Attorney (and the Association and their legal representation), and appear in Court on hearings regarding the HR and Professional Standards/conduct records of members;
• Regularly and directly, represent the Service or Board in contentious and sensitive legal matters where the other party is irate or accusatory of the Service/Board or its members or is in direct conflict with the position of the Service/Board or their goals and objectives.
• Defends and advances Service or Board positions before the Court, and external decision-making bodies, including boards and tribunals.
• Consult with other peers in Provincial Government, the Region, and other Police Services;
• Act as a resource for the Training Branch, Quality Assurance, and other branches on a needs or case-by-case basis. Teaches, reviews, and provides case law and legislation. As assigned, reviews and makes recommendations regarding policy and procedural development to Deputy Chief, Commanders, and Quality Assurance;
• Participate, directly on behalf of the WRPS or as a member of the Police Legal Advisors of the OACP, on provincial panels, and working groups, in consultation on matters of Provincial or Federal laws that impact directly on the police service. Makes submissions to, meets, and consults with Ministry (provincial) or Departmental (Federal) working groups, representatives, ADM’s and/or politicians;
• Provide legal advice to the Chief and members serving on external committees on matters of Regional, Provincial, or Federal importance to policing. Appears before the OACP on matters of significant provincial impact to policing and provides recommendations and suggestions, as appropriate, through the Chief or directly;
• Make submissions and comments on proposed legislation and regulations;
• Maintain professional development by attending in-house, police, and outside training courses and seminars relating to legal matters. Maintains membership with the Law Society of Ontario;
• Perform other duties as required and assigned.

You Have:
• Comprehensive knowledge of the law, including associated skills, such as analytical techniques, negotiation and mediation skills, communication skills, judgment and problem-solving skills in applying knowledge in the practical resolution of issues acquired through the attainment of a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) at a recognized law school and subsequent Bar Admission requirements, plus corporate, commercial and litigation experience, including experience in the independent carriage of files and varied court and tribunal appearances. Fulfillment of Bar Admission requirements, including one year of articling, plus signification litigation and corporate counsel experience is required. Continued membership in the Law Society of Ontario is also required.
• Advanced knowledge of the highly specialized and technical area of the law as it relates to the organization and policing; in particular has the ability to conceptualize such knowledge of the organization, policing law and governance (including regulatory scheme), prosecutions, municipal law, civil litigation, corporate commercial law, labour and employment law, public and administrative law.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Region, the Service, and the Board, including overall organizational structure, powers, jurisdiction, authority, and the constraints on freedom of action is essential. Knowledge of Service policies, procedures, and standards.
• A valid Class ‘G’ Ontario Driver’s Licence with no more than six demerit points required to travel within and outside of the Region is required.

You Are:
• Able to compose a wide variety of reports, opinions, legal commentary, articles, PowerPoint presentations, and papers to the Chief, Deputies, Senior Leadership Team, the Board, and outside agencies (including OPC, OACP, the Canadian Bar Association, etc.) involving multifarious and multifaceted topics that require a high level of analytic and interpretative writing;
• Able to read, interpret and analyze complex legal documents, including regulations and Court decisions, statutes, by-laws, contracts, pleadings, opinions, professional literature, policing, and municipal publications, and agreements for the purposes of research and interpretation.
• Draft legal opinions and reports for the Chief Deputies, Senior Director of Legal Services, and Senior Management. Prepare correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents involving the precise use of specialized language;
• Conduct presentations to the Board, Senior Management, the Police Service, Tribunals, other persons and groups, requiring tact, diplomacy, interpersonal and advocacy skills such as examinations, cross-examination of witnesses and experts, and presentation of legal arguments and factums;
• Proficient in the application of analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and time management skills;
• Able to draft complex legal documents and legal opinions;
• Able to articulate and are skilled in public speaking when making presentations to internal and external personnel and bodies on highly complex matters; and
• Able to meet the testing and police security requirements and maintain confidentiality;

Please ensure you provide all supporting information from current and past employment (if applicable) to specify how you meet the requirements for this position in your online profile. You will be assessed based on the information provided in your application.

If you require accommodation in completing the application process, or with any portion of the application process or interview, please email the WRPS at [email protected].

Diversity through inclusion – we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected to move forward will be contacted
Northwest Territories

Salary Criteria