The Hearing Officer Course offers a considerable review of the relevant procedures, legislation and case law through mock police disciplinary tribunal hearings. Some pre-course and post-course work is required.
Delegates are evaluated throughout the course. To successfully complete the course, candidates must complete a post-course written assignment based on course instruction and on a case study presented in a PSA Mock Tribunal Hearing Exercise as assessed by members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Hearing Officer Committee and course facilitator(s).
The legislative requirements to be a Hearing Officer are set out in Section 94 (1) of the Police Services Act. Specifically, the Hearing Officer Course is opened to the rank of Inspector or higher, and must be approved by the Chief of Police or Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.