Police Board to hold Virtual Meeting on Monday September 27, 2021

TORONTO:  The next scheduled meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board will take place on Monday September 27, 2021 at 9AM.   
 
Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, and to protect the health and well-being of all involved while adhering to provincial and Toronto Public Health orders and guidance, this Board Meeting will proceed as a virtual meeting.  Members of the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting through our livestream at:
https://youtu.be/DxFYTqwl6Oo.
 
The agenda is available on the Board’s website at: https://www.tpsb.ca/meetings/meetings-current-and-past.  
 
Members of the public who wish to make a deputation may register using the regular process, at https://www.tpsb.ca/meetings/making-a-deputation.  The request must be received no later than 12:00pm on Friday September 24, 2021. 
                                                                                                                              
Items of Interest at this virtual Board meeting include:

AWARDING OF MEDALS OF MERIT

The Board will consider two reports from the Chief recommending the awarding of a medal of merit to two groups of officers. A Medal of Merit is the second highest award that can be granted to a police officer or civilian member.  It can be awarded in response to an outstanding act of personal bravery, or in recognition of highly meritorious police service. 
 
The recommendation to award the Medal of Merit to the group of officers noted in the first report, Detective Constable Edward O’Toole, Detective Constable Chad Pullen and Detective Constable Matthew Saris, results from their role in dealing with a violent bank robbery, where they responded with heroism, bravery and valour in the face of danger, resolving a very violent situation, and preventing serious injury or death.
 
The recommendation to award the Medal of Merit to the group of officers discussed in the second report, Detective Constable Aaron Broad, Detective Constable Daniel Pitre, and Detective Constable Rudy Kramer, results from an illegal firearms investigation, during which they were shot at by the individual involved, responding swiftly and decisively to tactically engage the threat, and arrest him.  As the report notes, they are to be recognized for their teamwork, bravery, dedication and courage, and their presence of mind in the face of imminent danger.
 
NEW BOARD POLICY – RECRUITMENT, APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS FOR UNIFORM AND CIVILIAN MEMBERS OF THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE
 
The Board will consider a report from Ryan Teschner, the Board’s Executive Director and Chief of Staff, recommending the approval of a new Board Policy entitled, “Recruitment, Appointments and Promotions for Uniform and Civilian Members of the Toronto Police Service.”  The development of this Policy flows from the Board’s policing reform work, and is also part of a broader policy review being undertaken by the Board Office. 
 
The new Policy reflects a number of important objectives, including ensuring the high quality of new recruits to the Service and of Members promoted to leadership positions, ensuring the membership of the Service reflects the diversity of the City of Toronto’s communities and the residents the Service serves, and enhancing the reporting received by the Board to ensure the Board has the relevant information to effectively carry out its governance and oversight roles on issues of recruitment and promotion.
 
POLICE REFORM – UPDATE ON TRAINING-RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS

The Board will consider a report from Chief Ramer, which provides an update on the implementation of the training-related recommendations arising from the Board’s August 2020 comprehensive police reform report.  The report details progress in a number of areas, including enhancements of anti-Black racism and mental health training, and consultation with stakeholders as part of curriculum preparation.  As the report notes, the Toronto Police College is committed to developing and updating training through active engagement with subject matter experts and community partners. Fair, unbiased and compassionate Service delivery through de-escalation and cultural competence remain foundational concepts in curriculum.  The report also states that the police reform recommendations place a strong emphasis on training and the Service’s efforts to date as well as next steps represent an ongoing commitment to learning, continuous improvement and going above and beyond current provincial training standards.
 
QUARTERLY REPORT – CONDUCTED ENERGY WEAPONS (CEWs)

The Board will consider a report from Chief Ramer containing the quarterly report on the use of Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs) from January 1 – April 30, 2021.  For 2021, the Chief is required to submit two interim reports and one annual report on CEW use.  The report has two components: an explanation of terminology and information regarding the classification of data; and charts containing the aggregate data and analysis.  It includes comprehensive reporting in a wide range of areas, including: calls for service, types of use, subject condition at time of use, de-escalation techniques, training, civil actions, and information on any injuries or deaths attributed to CEW use.  As the report notes, in this time period, a CEW was utilized 178 times during 144 separate incidents, with Demonstrated force presence (where the CEW is simply displayed) used 67.4% of the time, Full deployment used 22.5% of the time, and Drive stun or both Drive stun and Full deployment used in combination  10.1% of the time. 
 
 
As with all meetings, a recording of this meeting will be posted and archived to the Toronto Police Service YouTube account at https://www.youtube.com/TorontoPolice for members of the public to access later at their convenience.