Prince Edward Island policing amid COVID-19

Islanders, Canadians and people around the world are addressing their individual roles to help contain the spread of COVID-19. 

The Prince Edward Island police agencies, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Charlottetown, Summerside and Kensington Police Services, as well as the University of Prince Edward Island’s security services, would like to assure Islanders that as an essential service, the mandate has not changed – law enforcement continue to maintain public safety and security. All agencies remain focused on the health and safety of all employees and they will continue to assure that the necessary resources are available to respond to the calls that must be answered by police. 

Contingency and business continuity plans to ensure police operations have been put into effect to ensure law enforcement will be there when Islanders need us. Law enforcement officers will continue to patrol Island communities as well as investigations and complaints of crime.

As directed by the Chief Public Health Office, law enforcement agencies continue to take appropriate steps to "flatten the curve" associated with COVID-19, and Islanders will see changes to how agencies do business to help reduce the spread of the virus.
As of noon on March 17, 2020, front counter service for all police agencies in Prince Edward Island are being scaled back. Until further notice, the following services are suspended:

• Elective fingerprinting;
• Criminal records checks; and
• Vulnerable sector checks; 

For the health and safety for Islanders and law enforcement officers, in-person services will change. While the public can continue reporting crimes and non-emergency complaints, some responses may be addressed by phone and Islanders may see officers with additional personal protective equipment such as facemasks.

The provincial Chief Public Health Officer has made a powerful statement to all Islanders, "The best way for us to come together right now, is to stay apart." We encourage all Islanders to do their part.

Media contact:
Vicki Tse
Senior Communications Officer
vickitse@gov.pe.ca