Police Board to hold Hybrid Meeting on May 18, 2023
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TORONTO: The next scheduled meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board will take place on Thursday May 18, 2023 at 9:00AM.
The agenda is available on the Board’s website at: https://www.tpsb.ca/meetings.
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 Wednesday May 17, 2023.
Hybrid meeting format and associated public health guidance
The Board’s meeting will proceed as a hybrid meeting. This is consistent with recent changes by the City of Toronto in the way it is holding its City Council and Committee meetings. We ask that individuals attending in-person consider the guidance provided by Toronto Public Health that “[m]asks are strongly recommended in indoor public settings.” As a result, the Board is recommending masking and physical distancing, and especially masking where physical distancing is not consistently possible.
Sign-up to make a deputation
If you wish to sign up to make a deputation on an item, please use our Making a Deputation sign-up form: https://www.tpsb.ca/meetings/making-a-deputation. Registered deputants will have the option of making their deputation in-person or virtually. Virtual deputations would be available either by video via WebEx, or audio-only by phone.
In addition, members of the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting as an observer through our livestream at: https://youtube.com/live/pKi6KMavXIk
Items of Interest at this Board meeting include:
HATE CRIMES
The Board will hear a presentation and consider a report regarding the Toronto Police Service’s 2022 Annual Hate Crime Statistical Report, which provides statistical data about hate crimes committed against people or property. As the report notes, in 2022, there was a decrease in the total number of hate crime occurrences reported to the Service. In comparison to 2021, the number of reported occurrences decreased from 257 to 242, representing a decrease of approximately 6%. Notably, the number of reported hate crimes is 74% higher than the pre-pandemic level of hate crimes in 2019, and 40% higher than the 10 year average. As the report states, in 2022, hate crimes targeting members of the Jewish community, Black community, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) communities were the most common types of reported hate crimes. The Jewish community and the Black community were the most frequently victimized groups for hate-motivated mischief to property occurrences and the LGBTQ2S+ communities were the most frequently victimized groups for hate-motivated assault occurrences. The Black community and the LGBTQ2S+ communities were the most frequently victimized groups for hate-motivated uttering threats.
The report also provides an overview of the hate crime training and education that was
delivered to Service Members in 2022, as well as the various community outreach initiative that were undertaken by the Hate Crime Unit and other units, with a recognition that education and training are critical components of hate crime prevention and reporting.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS STRATEGY UPDATE
The Board will consider a report from Chief Demkiw on the Toronto Police Service’s Mental Health and Addiction Strategy (MHAS), providing an update on implementation. As the report notes, the MHAS is a dynamic and evolving plan that illustrates how the Service compassionately responds to people in crisis, and ensures the well-being, safety, rights and dignity of individuals and communities. The MHAS outlines eight key areas of commitment by the Service to members of the public and Service Members, who may be experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues, which include preserving life, cultural competence, equity and anti-racism, and continuous learning. As the report details, the MHAS prescribes a set of 46 action items, all of which have now been implemented.
The report recommends that the annual reporting be supplemented by a regularly updated and publicly accessible dashboard. This dashboard will indicate updates to action items, and include future enhancements and other details, providing a transparent, accountable and efficient method for both the Board and public to monitor future enhancements related to the MHAS’ action plan in this critical area.
41 DIVISION FACILITY UPDATE
The Board will consider a report from Chief Demkiw, recommending that the Board approve increases to the contracts for the provision of construction management services, as well as the provision of architectural consulting services, for the design and construction of the new 41 Division facility.
As the report notes, this is a complex project, with divisional operations continuing on-site concurrent with the building’s demolition and construction of the new building sections. It should also be noted that, once complete, this Division will be the first Service building to meet the City’s requirements for net zero energy and emissions. The report also states that there remains the risk of cost escalations that are inherent in most construction projects, and are especially pronounced on this project, as it is considering newer concepts to design and construction. The report indicates that the project is being managed closely, and includes productive relationships with its vendors and City partners. The report also undertakes that the Board will continue to be updated on the project’s status, milestones, and budget in the quarterly capital variance reports.
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.
Contact: Sandy Murray
sandy.murray@tpsb.ca
416-808-8090
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