Respect and Responsibility Policy

This policy applies to all staff, members of the public and anyone interacting with Norfolk County staff in County offices, worksites, parks, facilities, and recreation programs. This includes:

• Staff
• Patrons
• Contractors
• Guests
• Spectators
• Coaches
• Players
• Parents
• Members of the public
• Volunteers

It covers structured (i.e. permit, permit-issued) and unstructured (i.e. no permit-issued) activities. This includes interactions with staff and volunteers on the phone, via email and virtually.

The policy applies to all employees who deliver services on behalf of Norfolk County. It encompasses all aspects of professional conduct, safety protocols, and procedures for dealing with emergencies or threats encountered during their duties.

This policy applies to interactions within Norfolk County-operated areas and any professional interactions where employees deliver services on behalf of Norfolk County.

Staff are the key personnel responsible for the implementation of this procedure.

Divisions are responsible for ensuring that preventative measures are in place so that incidents of violence, vandalism and inappropriate behaviour do not occur.

Departments may implement additional processes and procedures that apply to specific workplaces linked to this policy.

Visitors to our offices, parks, facilities or properties, and recreation programs are responsible for behaving and acting in a manner that respects the rights of others so that the services can be used and enjoyed by all.

Organizations and users or recipients of parks, facilities or properties, and recreation programs are primarily responsible for the behaviour of everyone associated with them, including participants, officials, spectators, patrons, parents, guests, etc.

Major user groups are expected to promote, support, and endorse the division operating procedures within their organizations and ensure all those involved with the group (including out-of-county groups) are aware of the division’s operating procedures.

Individuals are responsible for behaving and acting in a manner that respects the rights of staff and others so that services can be provided while attending a work site.

Inappropriate behaviour and violence for the purpose of this policy includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviours: 

• Loud verbal assaults, including swearing and name calling directed at participants, officials, members of the public or County staff deemed to be aggressive or intimidating or having the potential of inciting violence.
• Threats and/or attempts to intimidate.
• Throwing articles in a deliberate or aggressive manner.
• Aggressive approaches to another individual (physical/verbal assault).
• Physical striking of another individual.
• Attempts to incite violence in others.
• Theft of property.
• Possession of weapons.
• Vandalism to building(s) or property owned or leased by Norfolk County.
• Refusal to follow the rules outlined by Norfolk County.
• Any slurs or actions that show discrimination based on any of the prohibited grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
• Illegal consumption of alcohol or drugs.
• Harassment (“engaging in a course of ‘vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome” as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code).
• Contravention of County by-laws or policies.
• Any other actions that hinder usual business practices.

Our primary concern is the safety of the public and our staff. If anyone feels personally threatened, they must call 911 or the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) immediately. It is NOT the expectation that staff or users put themselves at risk or jeopardize one’s safety in dealing with any perceived or real situation.

All incidents of violence and/or vandalism or threatening situations must be reported to the OPP.

Norfolk County OPP
Non-Emergency Contact: 519-426-3434 or 1-888-310-1122
Emergency Contact: 9-1-1

Our staff are to report acts of violence, vandalism, or inappropriate behaviour to their immediate supervisor and complete the applicable Incident Report. Staff will also provide the report to the appropriate individual or association(s) as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, for example, a property owner, minor sports organization, developer, etc.

Staff will cooperate and support the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) during any investigation and the prosecution process resulting from any charges laid.

Patrons of County facilities are to report acts of violence, vandalism or inappropriate behaviours to a County staff member or ServiceNorfolk, as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.

Organizations or external workplaces dealing directly with incidents must inform the applicable County department of a resolution within 30 days.

We will take action when incidents occur in County spaces, worksites or properties. Our staff are authorized to act if inappropriate behaviour or violence is observed or reported in the following instances:

• Observation of any physical violence or vandalism
• Observation of verbal abuse or threat
• At the request of a community group or individual who, as part of their operation, is threatened, intimidated, or persistently disrupted to incite negative activity

• Report acts of inappropriate behaviour to the most senior staff person present at the incident
• Without jeopardizing one’s safety, advise the individual(s) to stop the activity immediately, or they will be asked to leave (“verbal warning”)
• If the individual (s) does not cooperate, inform the individual(s) that they are now trespassing and the police will be called
• If the individual(s) refuses to leave, do not engage in an argument or physical confrontation, call the police, and wait for them to arrive while ensuring that you and any others in jeopardy are in a safe location; advise the immediate supervisor or designated supervisor immediately.
• Where staff are on a worksite, advise the individual to stop the activity immediately (“verbal warning”), or staff will leave the worksite immediately.
• If the individual(s) does not cooperate, inform the individual(s) that staff will leave the worksite and the police may be called
• If staff are told to leave the worksite (owned by someone other than the County), they are to leave the worksite and advise their immediate supervisor as soon as possible.
• Complete the applicable Incident Report Form (Employee or Non-Employee Incident Report Form). Incident(s) are to be reviewed by staff, and recommendations are to be made to prevent/discourage future incidents.

• Report inappropriate behaviour to the immediate supervisor or designate as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of the inappropriate written or verbal communication
• Advise the individual to stop the inappropriate activity immediately, or you will end the communication. If the individual does not cooperate, the communication will be ended
• Complete the applicable Incident Report Form
• The director or supervisor is to request a full written report from the community group or representative (if applicable)
• Staff will review the incident (s) and make recommendations to prevent or discourage future incidents

• Individuals who engage in any inappropriate behaviour, as defined in this procedure, may, depending on the severity, be removed immediately from the premises and, if necessary, suspended for a period of time. If warranted, the suspension may apply to all programs, facilities, and properties.

  A “Letter of Warning” may be sent to an individual advising them of their inappropriate behaviour. If necessary, a “Letter of Trespass” will be sent to the individual(s). The length of the ban will be determined by the supervisor/director or designate and will depend on the severity of the situation.

  In addition to any other measures taken, where any damage to County property has occurred, the individual(s) responsible will be required to reimburse the County for all costs associated with any repairs; an administration fee, as well as any lost revenues or where appropriate, be required to repair the damage

  The applicable department will follow up in writing on all incidents that result in a suspension or ban from corporate offices, programs, facilities, and properties, outlining the details of the suspension.

  The final decision regarding the details of the suspension or ban will be made in consultation with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) or their designate. All correspondence related to suspension or banning will be signed by the CAO or designate.

  Appropriate staff in facility sections and/or geographic areas will be notified of individuals who are banned or receive a letter of trespass from County properties and facilities. Where appropriate, appropriate organizations may be notified of the situation. Incidents may be reported to the Ontario Provincial Police, and charges may follow.

  Norfolk County has the right to issue longer bans to individuals who violate this policy on multiple occasions and/or during interactions with various departments. The Senior Leadership Team will review the list of individuals banned from Norfolk County properties quarterly to determine whether the ban needs to remain in place.