约克地区警察局组建专案组打击暴力犯罪
A Carjacking Task Force and Firearms Investigation Team worked to stem violence in 2025
Following a spike in carjacking robberies in 2023 and 2024, and a series of violent incidents in the fall of 2025, York Regional Police launched two task forces – the Carjacking Task Force and the Firearms Investigation Team.
The teams were assembled with the specific goal of stemming violence and apprehending those responsible.
Carjacking task force
In 2023, in an effort to put an end to carjackings, York Regional Police joined five other police services to form the provincial carjacking task force.
After the provincial task force was dissolved in 2024, York Regional Police recognized that carjackings remained an ongoing issue across the region.
York Regional Police formed its own carjacking task force within the Hold-Up Unit. The team of specialized officers focus on investigating carjackings and preventing the incidents from occurring.
In 2024, 81 carjackings were reported. Thanks to the work of the Carjacking Task Force, that number fell to only 37 in 2025, marking a 54 per cent drop.
Firearms Investigation Team
In September 2025, in response to an increase in gun violence, York Regional Police announced the creation of a new Firearms Investigation Team (FIT).
“These officers are focused on investigating shootings, identifying and arresting suspects, and taking guns off our streets,” Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said while announcing the new team.
When a firearm is discharged across the region, the dedicated FIT team is engaged and launches an investigation.
And their efforts are working.
In 2025, FIT was engaged in 18 investigations.
