Police Board to meet Tuesday March 26, 2019

TORONTO: The next scheduled meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board will take place on Tuesday March 26, 2019 at 1:30 PM in the Auditorium, 40 College Street. Copies of the agenda are available on the Board’s website at www.tpsb.ca, from the Board office and limited copies will be available at the meeting.

The Board meeting may be viewed via LiveStream on YouTube using the following link:
https://youtu.be/2B6ACB2fqiM

Those members of the public who would like to make a deputation to the Board regarding an item on the agenda should refer to the Notice for Making a Deputation at this link.

Items of interest include:

PROPOSED EXPANSION TO SCOPE OF BOARD’S MISSING PERSONS REVIEW The Board will consider a report regarding a proposed expansion to the scope of the Board’s Independent Civilian Review into Missing Persons Investigations. The report recommends that the Board agree to revise the Review’s Terms of Reference to expand the scope of the Board’s Review to now include an examination of the specific circumstances involving the investigations into the disappearances of victims associated with Bruce McArthur. The report recommends the expansion on the basis that the criminal proceedings involving Mr. McArthur are at an end.

BOARD RATIFICATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SETTLEMENT WITH TORONTO POLICE ASSOCIATION
The Board will consider a report from the Chair recommending approval of the collective bargaining settlements reached between the Board and the Toronto Police Association. The report advises that the Association’s members voted to ratify these settlements. As the report states, highlights of the settlement include: a five-year term (from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023), a cumulative wage increase of 11.06% over the five-year term (an average of 2.21% per year) and a Priority Response Patrol Unit Allowance, as well as increases for mental health counselling benefits that would make the Board a leader for the provision of these benefits in Canada. The settlement also demonstrates the Association’s commitment to the mission, principles, and goals of the action plan of the Board/Service Transformational Task Force,The Way Forward, in a letter from President Mike McCormack to be appended to the collective agreement. As the report notes, the conclusion of amicable negotiations resulting in five-year collective agreements is a significant achievement for the Board and the Association in the current policing environment and is especially critical to maintaining a positive labour relations environment while the efforts to transform and modernize the Service continue.

ANNUAL REPORT – USE OF CONDUCTED ENERGY WEAPONS (CEWS)
The Board will consider a report from the Chief with respect to the 2018 Annual Report on Conducted Energy Weapons (C.E.W.s). The report includes information in a number of areas, including: incidents of C.E.W. use, the subject’s condition at time of C.E.W. use, the subject’s behaviour and threat level, other force options used prior to C.E.W. use, any injuries and deaths as a result of C.E.W. use, and any civil action arising from C.E.W. use. In addition, more detailed information concerning the effectiveness of C.E.W. use on [persons in crisis is included in this year’s report. As the report states, while the number of reportable use of force incidents has increased, this is attributed to P.C.s now having the option of displaying a C.E.W. in lieu of resorting to empty-hand techniques to control a non-compliant or assaultive subject. As the report also notes, in 2018, there were 11 minor injuries and no deaths directly related to C.E.W. use. The report concludes that the data, particularly the high percentage of demonstrated force presence, indicates that officers are using good judgement under difficult circumstances, making appropriate decisions to use only the force necessary to resolve tense and dangerous situations. The Board will also consider a report from the Chief containing a request to restructure future C.E.W. reporting to make this reporting more efficient and responsive to previous areas of inquiry highlighted by the Board.

QUARTERLY REPORTS FROM CHIEF AND REGULATED INTERACTIONS REVIEW PANEL AND TULLOCH REPORT ON STREET CHECK REVIEW AND NEXT STEPS
The Board will consider a report from the Chief containing the third and fourth quarterly reports for 2018 regarding access to Historical Contact Data. The Board will also consider a report from the Regulated Interactions Review Panel (RIRP) outlining its findings related to the Chief’s reports. The Chief’s reports have been provided pursuant to the Board’s policy entitled “Regulated Interaction with the Community and the Collection of Identifying Information” which includes a requirement for the Chief to provide to the Board, on a quarterly basis, a public report on requests, approvals, and purpose(s) for access to Historical Contact Data as well as whether or not access fulfilled the purpose(s) for which it was granted. The Board policy also established a panel to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding access. The RIRP recommends that the Board review its Regulated Interaction Policy in light of Justice Tulloch’s recent report, with particular attention to the portion of its Policy that currently requires the retention of Historical Contact Data; and that the Board determine if retaining Historical Contact Data remains necessary and, if it determines that it is (in whole or in part), request that the Chief eliminate operational access to the data while maintaining access for legal and other related purposes.

The Board will also consider a report from Board Staff recommending a series of next steps for the Board arising from recommendations in Justice Michael H. Tulloch’s Report of the Independent Street Checks Review. The report specifically recommends that the Board: direct Board Staff to lead a review of options concerning historical data, and report back to the Board with recommendations; consider the current training concerning the Street Check Regulation being delivered by the Service and identify for the Board any recommendations for improvement; and, work with and support a community organization in developing a robust public education and communication strategy concerning the Regulation, street checks and carding, for the Board’s future consideration.

UPDATE ON THE ENHANCED NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICER PROGRAM
The Board will consider a report from the Chief with respect to a 90-day check-in on the enhanced Neighbourhood Officer Program. This mid-check point report was directed by the Board. The report details the various enhancements to the Program, academic involvement, additional training provided and initial feedback from both community members and officers. As the report states, overall, Neighbourhood Officer feedback from the 90-Day Review Information Session was positive and both the survey results, along with feedback from the discussion session, confirm that the Neighbourhood Officers are passionate about their role and see themselves as advocates for the community. The report also notes that opportunities for improvement that have been identified for the Program will be further explored and implemented as necessary to ensure the Program continues to improve throughout the pilot.

Contact:
Sandy Murray
sandy.murray@tpsb.ca
416-808-8090