Building a More Connected Justice Sector

New program will give police and justice partners timely access to evidence, reduce delays, and enable police to spend more time keeping communities safe

Criminal investigations and prosecutions have become more and more complex, as technologies have advanced and criminal activities become increasingly sophisticated. That’s why our PC government is taking a significant step towards better connecting Ontario’s criminal justice system.

We are investing in the Digital Evidence Management (DEM) program, a new technology that will allow police services to store, manage and share digital evidence. The program will ensure timely access to evidence, reduce delays, and enable police to spend more time investigating crimes and keeping their communities safe.

“This investment will help drive forward our ongoing efforts to modernize Ontario’s criminal justice system by transforming the way digital evidence is managed by police and justice partners,” said Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon and Solicitor General. “By eliminating the need for sharing and transporting evidence in person, police officers will spend less time carrying out administrative work and more time on what matters most – protecting our communities.”

The new DEM program will provide police services with access to cloud-based technology to allow evidence, once physically handled, to be shared securely among justice sector partners.  Once implemented, the program will also support police services that are interested in equipping their frontline officers with body-worn cameras by providing access to a cloud-based system able to store and manage large multi-media files.

The new DEM program is part of a series of digital initiatives the government is undertaking to build a justice system that is better connected and more responsive to the needs of communities across the province.