Senior Director Legal Services
Position Status: Permanent, Full Time
2024 Salary: $181,121 – $213,084
Due date: Monday, November 25, 2024
Location: Cambridge, ON (due to the nature of the position, the incumbent is required to be working from the office at Cambridge, ON. This is not a remote opportunity)
Notes:
• Classification: Senior Officer Association (currently under review as per s. 220 of the CSPA)
• This position is based at WRPS Headquarters in Cambridge, ON.
The Senior Director, Legal Services, plays a pivotal role in leading the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) on all legal matters. This leadership is multifaceted. The Senior Director provides strategic legal counsel and operational guidance to the Chief of Police, Deputy Chiefs, and members across all organizational levels ensuring informed decision-making, and fostering a culture of legal excellence within the WRPS. By managing the legal services team, the Senior Director ensures expert legal advice is readily available on a wide range of complex legal issues. Beyond internal support, the Senior Director champions the WRPS in advocacy and litigation before external bodies, safeguarding its legal interests. The Senior Director, plays a crucial role in ensuring legal compliance and risk mitigation by overseeing the development and implementation of legal policies, programs, and procedures, in addition to leading the negotiation, review and drafting of a range of contractual agreements. The Senior Director, Legal Services, strives to advance the mission, vision and value of the WRPS whole while prioritizing the legal interests of both the Service and the Board.
You Will:
• Provides strategic legal advice and opinions on complex legal issues to the Chief and Deputy Chiefs, Senior Officers and Members, and to the Board
• Composes reports, opinions, legal commentary, and presentations to the Chief, Senior Leadership Team, the Board and outside agencies
• Oversees the delivery of legal services by a team of lawyers and paralegals and the internal auditor
• Attends, represents, advocates, negotiates and defends the interests and positions of the Service and the Board
• Proactively identifies emerging legal issues and develops strategies to mitigate risk
• Providing advice on risk management matters and training
• Responds to civil, criminal and tribunal-based motions, applications and summons to WRPS personnel
• Coordinates and consolidates contracts involving the Service and Board.
• Makes recommendations to the Board and arranges for the retention and supervision of outside counsel
• Provides guidance and opinion on the interpretation and dissemination of the contracts, protocols and memorandum of understanding
• Provides legal advice to Professional Standards
• Acts as Prosecutor for Community Safety and Policing Act Hearings on behalf of the Chief
• Act as an external Prosecutor and/or assists outside police agencies regarding investigations and prosecutions.
• Manages litigation and reports to the Board regarding insured matters.
• Acts as the Service’s representative and conduit in the Service’s defence.
• Provides instructions to outside counsel on procedural matters within actions.
• Reviews internal procedures and policies; interviews employees and provides summary to outside counsel to assist in the defence of the Board and Members.
• Provides specialized inputs to the Regional/Pool Risk Manager on settlement proposals; and answers the Board’s questions thereon.
• Oversees the Solicitor to engage in proactive measures and analysis
• Provides advice on, negotiates with outside counsel, the Crown Attorney (and the Association and their legal representation) and appears in Court on McNeil hearings and O’Connor hearings
• Stays current on legal developments relevant to policing and advises the Service on necessary adaptations to comply with the CSPA
• Develops, participates in and assists with training of members
• Develops and assists in the review of new and existing policies and procedures
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, provides advice and participates in project teams and/or inter-Police Service groups,
• Participates, directly on behalf of the WRPS or as a member of the Police Legal Advisors (PLA) of the OACP,
• Provides legal advice to the Chief and members serving on external committees
• Makes submissions and comments on proposed legislation and regulations.
You Have:
• Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B), Juris Doctor (J.D.), or equivalent law degree is required.
• Licensed to practice law in Ontario and must be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
• Extensive experience as a General Counsel, City Counsel, Municipal Solicitor, or a similar senior legal advisory role is strongly preferred—with proven success in managing diverse legal portfolios and offering strategic guidance to executive leadership.
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience, practicing law and providing legal advice to complex organizations, preferably in the municipal or public sector environment. Experience in a policing environment is preferred but not mandatory,
• Comprehensive knowledge of legal matters and statutory law affecting police services.
• Demonstrated expertise in a broad range of legal disciplines, including criminal law, administrative law, labour law, human rights law, corporate law, civil litigation, privacy, the Charter of Rights, and rules of evidence and procedure
• It would be preferred, but not a mandatory requirement to have knowledge and understanding of police disciplinary processes under the Police Services Act and the Community Safety and Policing Act and police oversight bodies and/or agencies including the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) and the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission (OPAAC).
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to gather and assess complex legal information, identify key issues, and break down problems into manageable parts.
• A demonstrated ability to analyze legal arguments, weigh evidence, and identify potential flaws or inconsistencies to arrive at well-reasoned solutions.
• Effective analysis of data, legal precedents, and case law with an ability to draw sound conclusions and support informed decision-making.
• Reads, interprets and analyzes complex legal documents, including regulations and Court decisions, statutes, by-laws, contracts, pleadings, opinions, professional literature, policing and municipal publications, and agreements for the purposes of research and interpretation.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate complex legal concepts and strategies to a diverse audience. This includes written communication, such as drafting legal opinions, reports, and memoranda, as well as oral communication, effectively presenting legal arguments in variety of legal forums.
You Are:
- Able to meet security clearance requirements and maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to commute to the WRPS Headquarters in Cambridge, ON, and travel as needed within or outside the Region of Waterloo.
- Able to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, and is occasionally contacted by police service members after hours for clarification on legal matters
- Able to make decisions and recommendations that are linked to the WRPS strategic plan
- Able to support and project values compatible with the organization’s goals and promote the police service within the community.
Why join WRPS?
- Ongoing support for professional development
- Excellent benefits coverage
- OMERS pension
- Executive leave
- Paid professional membership dues
- Dynamic, exciting work environment
- Strong, supportive leadership
- Employee fitness and wellness programs
- 2024 Salary: $181,121 – $213,084
