The Belleville Police Service is raising concerns about a growing backlog of Provincial Offences Act (POA) matters in Hastings County.
These delays are now directly preventing timely justice, undercutting public confidence, and wasting the significant time and resources invested by Belleville Police officers.
Significant delays in judicial availability are preventing POA matters from moving forward within expected timeframes. As cases reach the 15-month limit set by provincial guidelines, they must be withdrawn. Belleville officers’ complete investigations and meet every obligation, only to have cases dismissed because no judicial time is available.
With only 85 judicial sitting days per year in Hastings County, timely scheduling is extremely limited. Early Resolution meetings cannot occur without a Justice of the Peace, and informal resolution options used in other jurisdictions are not available locally. While the Province is considering reforms such as allowing court clerks to accept guilty pleas, these measures have not yet been implemented.
“Our officers are completing their work thoroughly and on time,” said Police Chief Murray Rodd. “The challenges we are seeing are the result of systemic court scheduling limitations, not police action. Yet our officers’ work is set aside and the public sees cases withdrawn without resolution. That is a lose-lose for Belleville.”
The backlog weakens accountability, damages trust in the justice system, wastes municipal and police resources, and leaves citizens, victims, and complainants waiting for outcomes that never arrive.
Belleville Police and Hastings County continue to work collaboratively, but both remain restricted by structural limitations beyond local control.
The Belleville Police Service supports provincial modernization efforts and remains committed to securing the judicial capacity needed to deliver timely and effective justice for the community.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
