WHEREAS the technology exists to facilitate court appearances of persons in custody by means of video teleconferencing; and

WHEREAS it is legally permissible to conduct court appearances by video teleconferencing as long as evidence is not being given; and

WHEREAS there are significant costs to police as well as safety issues associated with the transportation of persons in custody to court; and

WHEREAS the majority of persons in custody are being transported from jail to court for the purpose of a simple remand; and WHEREAS the remanding of persons in custody consumes a great deal of valuable court time and places a strain on holding facilities for prisoners; and

WHEREAS routine court appearances could be carried out much more efficiently and cost effectively by employing video teleconferencing; and

WHEREAS video teleconferencing court appearances have been successfully employed on a limited basis.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police urge the Attorney General of Ontario to take the necessary steps to fully implement the use of video teleconferencing technology to facilitate routine court appearances by persons in custody.