Coroners' Inquests

The interest of the Toronto Police Services Board at Coroners’ inquest proceedings is to ensure that all the relevant information surrounding the death is fully explored with a view to supporting recommendations directed at preventing deaths in similar circumstances. The Board recognizes that in addition to making recommendations directed towards the Service or the Board, Coroners’ juries can also make recommendations directed to other organizations that could impact policing. 

City Council has directed the City of Toronto Legal Services Division not to represent individual police officers in any future inquests, with the exception of situations where the conduct of the officer is not in question or an issue, and to assess, on a case-by-case basis, whether joint legal representation of the Chief of Police and the Police Services Board, or representing only the Chief or the Board at future inquests, is appropriate on the circumstances of the case. 

It is, therefore, the policy of the Toronto Police Services Board that: 

1. Upon being notified of an inquest, the Board will request City of Toronto Legal Services Division to prepare a report to the Board. 

2. City of Toronto Legal Services Division will review the merits of each case and advise the Board about any concerns related to the conduct of the police officers and recommend whether the Board, the Chief and the Officers can have joint or separate representation. 

3. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, the Chair is authorized to provide instructions on behalf of the Board to the City of Toronto Legal Services Division, as required during the inquest. 

4. Within six months of the release of the jury’s recommendation, the Chief of Police will report to the Board on all of the jury recommendations that impact policing. 

5. The Board Administrator will forward the Board's response to the Coroner.