Meeting Ontario’s Policing Standards: A Practical Guide to Regulation 87/24

With the implementation of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) on April 1, 2025, Ontario police chiefs face transformative mandates under Regulation 87/24. This legislation establishes comprehensive training requirements aimed at enhancing the skills, responsiveness, and accountability of police officers, special constables, and police board members. From mental health crisis intervention to use-of-force requalification, the new standards reflect a pivotal shift in modern law enforcement expectations.

To support these changes, Street Smarts VR, selected as the sole VR vendor by Wilfred Laurier University for the MHCR program, integrates seamlessly with these requirements by addressing three critical challenges in police training:

  1. Training Anywhere, Anytime: Our portable, easy-to-deploy platform enables effective training for any volume of students

  2. Academically Validated Training Processes: Developed by leading academics and experts, our scenarios and performance tracking deliver actionable insights to refine skills

  3. Community-Centric Customization: Scenarios are tailored to local environments, threats, and needs, fostering relevance and engagement

This article serves as a practical guide for Ontario Police Chiefs to navigate these new standards. Each section highlights key training objectives, requirements, and tasks, along with insights on how Street Smarts can help streamline implementation and enhance operational readiness.

Key CSPA Training Areas: A Detailed Overview

Mental Health Crisis Training

Handling mental health crises requires officers to approach situations with empathy, precision, and the right training. Mental health crisis training, a cornerstone of Ontario's Regulation 87/24, reflects the province’s commitment to equipping officers with the critical skills needed to recognize and de-escalate mental health crises. This approach emphasizes minimizing force while maximizing care, marking a shift toward more compassionate and effective policing practices.

Street Smarts VR, in collaboration with Wilfrid Laurier University, is the only approved vendor providing validated Mental Health Crisis Response (MHCR) scenarios. Our innovative platform bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, enabling agencies to meet and exceed training standards.

Training Objectives

  • Recognize Mental Health Crises: Equip officers with the knowledge to identify individuals in crisis

  • De-escalation Techniques: Reduce the likelihood of force through effective, compassionate intervention

  • Community Collaboration: Foster partnerships with mental health professionals and local resources

Training Requirements

Initial Training:

Officers must complete the Mental Health Crisis Response (MHCR) Education and Applied Training program by the second anniversary of the transition date through one of these approved providers:

  • Wilfred Laurier University

  • Toronto Metropolitan University

  • Certified trainers who have completed the “MHCR Train-the-Trainer (MHCR-T3)” program

* Officers appointed on or after the transition date or who complete the Basic Constable Training Program after June 1, 2023, are exempt from the initial requirement.

Ongoing training

Annual completion of the MHCR In-Service Officer Requalification course is mandatory. Chiefs may grant a 60-day extension for officers facing exceptional circumstances.


Key Advantages of Street Smarts for Mental Health Crisis Training

  • Immersive Simulations: Our immersive platform’s VR capabilities offers realistic, science-backed scenarios that enhance officers’ decision-making and de-escalation skills. Immersive training improves retention, equipping officers to respond confidently and compassionately.

  • Standardized, High-Throughput Training: With virtual characters designed for consistency and behavioral accuracy, our platform ensures every officer receives the same high standard of training, supporting large-scale implementation without compromising quality.

  • Customizable Scenarios: Agencies can tailor training modules to reflect their community’s unique needs, fostering better outcomes and stronger connections with the populations they serve.

Action Items for Leadership

  • Schedule Initial Training: Develop a timeline to ensure all officers complete the MHCR program by the deadline.

  • Build Partnerships: Collaborate with approved training institutions to secure qualified trainers.

  • Monitor Compliance: Implement tracking systems to manage requalifications schedules and deadlines.

  • Integrate Best Practices: Use trained officers to mentor peers and embed effective policies for mental health crisis response.

Use of Force Requalification

Annual requalification in use-of-force techniques is now a mandatory component of officer readiness, emphasizing consistent skill refinement and adherence to procedural standards. This training ensures officers are prepared to respond effectively and proportionately in high-pressure situations, reinforcing public trust and operational excellence.

Our platform enhances this process by offering a safe, immersive, and flexible training environment. Officers can practice with tools that replicate all use-of-force options, from less-lethal devices like conducted energy weapons to advanced carbine training options, ensuring compliance with evolving requirements.

Training Objectives

  • Maintain Proficiency: Ensure officers remain skilled in the use of force

  • Reinforce Standards: Strengthen understanding of legal and procedural requirements

  • Build Trust: Promote accountability and skill refinement, enhancing public confidence in law enforcement.

Training Requirements

Annual Completion: All police officers and designated special constables must complete the Use of Force Requalification course every 12 months. Police Chiefs may grant a 60-day extension in exceptional circumstances for officers unable to meet the deadline. It is required that certified trainers deliver the course to align with provincial standards and ensure consistency.

Key Advantages of Street Smarts for Use of Force Requalification

  • Safe and Repeatable Training: Officers engage in scenarios that challenge decision-making, using equipment that mirrors real-world conditions without risk.

  • Comprehensive Feedback: Detailed 3D video playback and performance checklists provide actionable insights, fostering continuous improvement.

  • Cost Efficiency: Virtual training minimizes expenses for remedial training and makes scenario-based practice accessible anytime, reducing overall costs.

Action Items for Leadership

  • Organize Training: Work with certified trainers to schedule regular requalification sessions

  • Ensure Equipment Readiness: Provide access to necessary equipment during training

  • Track Compliance: Use automated systems to monitor requalification deadlines and officer participation

  • Enhance Training: Incorporate real-world scenarios and case studies to contextualize skills and improve decision-making

Active Attacker Incident Training

Active attacker incidents require swift action and decisive decision-making. Regulation 87/24 mandates Immediate Rapid Deployment (IRD) Basic training for officers in active attacker roles, with requalification every 24 months. StreetSmarts VR supports these critical requirements with advanced simulations that prepare officers for high-stakes scenarios in a safe, controlled environment.

Training Objectives

  • Preparedness: Equip officers with tactical response skills for active threats

  • Improved Communication: Enhance coordination between patrol officers and tactical units

  • Safer Communities: Protect public safety through swift, effective deployment

Training Requirements

Initial Training:

  • Officers assigned to community patrol or active attacker roles must complete Immediate Rapid Deployment (IRD) Basic training within 12 months. Those officers completing the Basic Constable Training Program after April 30, 2023 or assigned before the transition date who have completed equivalent training are exempt.

Ongoing Training:

  • Officers must requalify every 24 months by completing IRD Refresher Training or an equivalent accredited course. Chiefs may grant up to 60 days for officers unable to meet requalification deadlines due to exceptional circumstances.

Key Advantages of Street Smarts for Active Attacker Incident Training

  • Real-World Environments: Agencies can simulate high-risk scenarios—such as school shootings or workplace attacks—within actual locations, creating customized, non-lethal training environments.

  • Team-Based Training: Multi-user functionality allows teams to train together, improving communication, coordination, and response efficiency under pressure.

  • Dynamic Scenarios: Instructors can introduce new challenges mid-training, modifying scenarios in real time without additional actors, venues, or equipment.

Action Items for Leadership

  • Identify Eligible Officers: Prioritize training for officers most likely to encounter active attacker scenarios.

  • Secure Training Resources: Schedule IRD courses with certified trainers or the Ontario Police College.

  • Simulate Realistic Scenarios: Integrate situational exercises to build officer confidence and reinforce tactical skills.

  • Debrief and Refine: Use case studies from real incidents to evaluate training effectiveness and adjust tactics.

Future-Ready Training for Ontario’s Police Agencies

With Ontario’s new regulations, agencies need partners that deliver not just compliance but excellence in training outcomes. Street Smarts VR’s blend of virtual and mixed reality technologies offers a robust solution for meeting regulatory requirements while elevating officer performance. From mental health crisis response to use-of-force requalification and active attacker preparedness, our platform empowers agencies to train smarter, safer, and more effectively.

Contact Street Smarts VR today to see how we can transform your training programs and help your agency lead the way in meeting Ontario’s new policing standards.

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