The OSINT Output Hosted by Tim and Chris

By Jay Heisler, Freelance Canadian Journalist

Bio: Nathan Romas (LinkedIn Profile) is a Canadian police officer, CEO of Vigilant Media Inc., and host of The Quiet Professional podcast which discusses topics of national security, intelligence, law enforcement, and justice.

What is the extent of police uses of OSINT in Canada?

I am only speaking to this as a practitioner on the front lines. There are many uses of OSINT, and one of the more easily recognizable roles is that of a formally trained analyst. These analysts often have their own specialized tools and methodologies for collecting and interpreting data.

I am not that.

For the frontline officer, OSINT is less about dedicated intelligence programs and more about combining speed with efficiency in police work. When analysts or specialized tools are not available, members are often required to make rapid decisions using publicly available information while balancing immediacy with reliability and understanding what can realistically and lawfully be acted upon in the moment.

What are some examples of success from police uses of OSINT in Canada?

Sticking with the frontline perspective, OSINT has played a significant role in locating offenders and supporting investigations across a wide spectrum of offences.

OSINT’s value comes from both the real-time and historical data it provides, such as identifying locations, determining who may be present, assessing potential weapon possession, and helping officers better understand the environment they are moving into. This contributes to safer, more efficient, and more effective operations.

This only scratches the surface of its capabilities. Advanced skills allow law enforcement to interpret and analyze gathered information in ways that help facilitate safer arrests and operations for everyone involved.

How does Canada compare to other countries in the OSINT field?

From my experience, Canadian law enforcement lags in this area. Effective use of OSINT requires a massive shift in mentality and significant investment, not only in technology, but also in conceptual understanding, personnel, training, continuing education, and access to the right tools.

For many Canadian law enforcement agencies, progress in this space has been relatively slow. There are exceptions, smaller teams or specialized units, that have adopted these practices and use OSINT as I am describing, but they are not yet representative of the broader landscape.

Do you use OSINT regularly or occasionally in your own work?

In previous roles I held, OSINT was used far more frequently than it is in my current patrol position. In that prior environment, it was a more integrated part of investigations and operations. However, this wasn’t supported by formal analysts, it was the individual officers scouring the internet for hours themselves trying to find tiny pieces of useful information.

In patrol, however, OSINT is not regularly incorporated into real-time crime solving or situations where information is needed immediately. From my perspective, there is still a lack of understanding surrounding both its purpose and its practical applications, particularly at the frontline level. As a result, there are missed opportunities to incorporate OSINT into day-to-day policing in a more effective and efficient manner.