LXXVII PO-003 – Policing Indigenous Occupations and Protests

The objective of policing Indigenous occupations and protests is to preserve the peace, prevent offences, and enforce the law in a manner that respects the rights of all involved parties. To this end, it is the policy of the Toronto Police Services Board that:

1. The role of the police at an Indigenous occupation or protest is to preserve the peace, prevent offences, and enforce the law including offences against persons and property, in accordance with the powers and discretion available to a police officer under the law.
2. The consideration of police actions at an Indigenous occupation or protest include preserving the peace, communication, negotiation and building trust with participating and affected communities.
3. The Chief of Police will develop and maintain procedures on:
   1. Communicating information in relation to police procedures on Indigenous occupations and protests;
   2. Training requirements for policing Indigenous occupations and protests;
   3. Fostering community understanding of the police response to the events;
   4. The collection and analysis of information prior to and during events; and
   5. Addressing the uniqueness of Indigenous occupations and protests.