Introduction to Information Access and Privacy

The Introduction to Information Access and Privacy course provides a brief overview of Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA – based on privacy laws in the Province of Ontario) and its application to police records. It provides a detailed description of personal information, types of records, record release practices and privacy breach protocol. The course also includes concrete examples of how privacy legislation affects day-to-day activities of all members of a police service.

Learning objectives for this course include to:

• Inform members on current legislation and protection of police records
• Define personal information
• Explain what constitutes a record
• Explore what information can be shared with internal members, outside agencies, members of the public and involved parties
• Explore when information can be shared (ongoing investigations, before the courts)
• Describe privacy breaches and actions required in accordance with protocol

Target Audience

Sworn Police, Police Services, Government and Other First Responders

Content Provider

Content for this course was developed and provided by the Access to Information Unit of the Waterloo Regional Police Service.