Leveraging technology to make communities safer

For more than 50 years, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has introduced new and innovative technologies that have enhanced public safety and well-being, while addressing the complex and ever-changing needs of policing.

This fall, our Service will make IDEMIA’s Face Expert technology available to investigators to bolster their ability to solve crime in the community by using facial recognition software to search through mugshots. Currently in use by Peel Regional Police (PRP) and York Regional Police (YRP), Face Expert enables trained officers to quickly and easily scan legally obtained images from crime scenes and compare them to an existing database of mugshots taken when criminal charges are laid.

The industry-leading tool was selected by PRP and YRP following consultation with the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario, and launched in both regions in May 2024.

To learn how IDEMIA’s Face Expert boosts efficiency, strengthens collaboration between law enforcement agencies, and reduces costs, watch our video below and refer to our frequently asked questions.

A virtual information session for those interested in learning more about the technology was held on:

Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Unable to join us? Click here to watch the recording: https://youtube.com/live/-AZyIlz73lo

Those wishing to submit additional questions for response may do so via email to facialrecognitionQ@haltonpolice.ca until November 1, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

 What is facial recognition technology? How does it work?
Facial recognition technology compares human faces from digital images or video frames against an existing database(s) of faces. It is used by police during the course of a criminal investigation to analyze images of individuals of interest in a case with those already in the criminal booking image (mugshot) database. This database is comprised of images collected lawfully under the Identification of Criminals Act. Any results generated serve only as investigative leads; they require additional, corroborating evidence, and cannot be used on their own or in the absence of police decision making to identify, charge and/or convict an individual.
 Is facial recognition technology already in use by police in Canada?

Yes. Law enforcement agencies nationwide, including Peel Regional Police and York Regional Police, are already using facial recognition technology to help solve crimes, including but not limited to, homicides, sexual assaults, and robberies in the communities they serve. The technology is also being used at airports and border checkpoints across Canada to protect borders and help keep Canadians safe. 
 How do police and the public benefit from facial recognition technology?
Facial recognition is a new investigative tool that is being used successfully by police services across Canada to assist officers in identifying or eliminating potential persons of interest during the course of a criminal investigation. The system enables officers to do so more quickly and accurately than traditional methods, reducing the time spent manually comparing images to mugshots and enabling them to take on additional investigative work. Facial recognition technology is also less susceptible to human error and biases that exist in eyewitness accounts, thereby helping preserve the integrity of investigations. Overall, this system strengthens the investigative process and supports efforts to keep citizens and communities safe. 
Why did Halton Regional Police Service join Peel Regional Police and York Regional Police in acquiring facial recognition technology?

Criminals do not limit their activity to a single area or jurisdiction, making it vital for police services to work together to identify them and bring them to justice. By joining Peel Regional Police and York Regional Police in using IDEMIA’s Face Expert technology, our Service will gain access to a larger, shared database from which to compare images of individuals of interest in a case with those already in the criminal booking image (mugshot) system. This not only increases each police service’s investigative capacity; it decreases operating costs, and encourages collaboration and inter-agency information sharing to make all of our communities safer.

By introducing facial recognition technology, our Service will enhance our ability to achieve two key priorities outlined in our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, namely (Strategic Priority) 1 – Achievement of the highest weighted clearance rate among comparator police services, and (Strategic Priority) 2 – Reduced per capita crime rate, including, through partnerships and collaboration, a 50% reduction in auto theft.

It is part of our ongoing commitment to place residents first and to deliver the investigative excellence those we serve deserve.
What safeguards are in place to protect my privacy?

Police have a legislative duty to investigate criminal activities while honouring the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code. The facial recognition technology in use by Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police, and soon, our Service, has been extensively reviewed by Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC), and feedback was incorporated at every stage of its implementation. Those with access to the facial recognition technology receive extensive training and must adhere to stringent operating procedures surrounding its use.

Your privacy is protected; the Halton Regional Police Service will not analyze/search against open-source, social media, or real-time content. The technology will be used only on lawfully obtained criminal photos (mugshots). Read our Privacy Impact Assessment.
Who is providing this technology and what are their privacy and accuracy protocols?

The facial recognition technology in use by Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police, and soon, our Service, is provided by IDEMIA, a leading global biometric solutions provider. A comprehensive, fair and transparent procurement process was underaken to ensure that the vendor selected could meet the rigorous investigative needs of policing, while adhering to existing privacy guidelines/laws. IDEMIA's Face Expert technology is designed with privacy and security at its core, and is in use by several law enforcement agencies in Canada and worldwide.

According to tests completed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), IDEMIA’s facial recognition technology ranks first in accuracy. Its false match rate between different demographic groups hardly differs, and the algorithm identifies all subjects equally well, regardless of demographic. When combined with review by trained law enforcement officers, research indicates that facial recognition technology achieves near perfect accuracy. All data associated with this system is safeguarded in Canadian data centres only.

For more information visit the IDEMIA website.
Have members of the public been engaged on this initiative?

We shared information regarding the introduction of facial recognition technology during the public portion of the January 2025 meeting of the Halton Police Board. At that time, Deputy Chief Jeff Hill advised the Board that a virtual information session would be planned to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the technology and to submit questions prior to its launch.

This session was held on:

Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Unable to join us? Click here to watch the recording: https://youtube.com/live/-AZyIlz73lo

Those wishing to submit additional questions for response may do so via email to facialrecognitionQ@haltonpolice.ca until November 1, 2025.
Why introduce facial recognition technology now?
Police services must constantly adapt to the fast-changing and increasingly-complex environments in which they operate. Doing so effectively requires that they remain vigilant and open to new technologies and innovations that can equip them to better respond to crime and keep their communities safe. As a leader in policing excellence, our Service is committed to ensuring that Halton region remains Canada’s safest large municipality to live, work, play and raise a family. Over the past few years, key advances in the accuracy and demographic inclusion capabilities of facial recognition technology have enabled services like Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police, and soon, us, to actively pursue it as an investigative tool to help solve crime. The licensing agreement with IDEMIA ensures police services have access to the most up-to-date, highest-performing technology available.
How do I request that my mugshot be removed from the database? How do I request a correction?

Pursuant to the Identification of Criminals Act, individuals whose criminal booking image (mugshot) and fingerprints have been gathered by our Service may be eligible to have their image and fingerprints destroyed, provided certain criteria are met. Additional information is available on the Destruction of Fingerprints page on our website. 

Under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (MFIPPA), individuals may also request access to police reports and/or correct a record that they believe contains inaccurate information. Please visit our Records page for details.