Toronto Police Services Board Meeting | LiveStream | Thursday, November 21st, 2019 | 1:30PM | Live from Toronto Police Service Headquarters Auditorium
Items of interest include:
PRESENTATION: FULL BODY SCANNER PILOT PROJECT
The Board will hear a presentation and consider a report from the Chief with respect to a status update on the Full Body Scanner Pilot Project. As the report notes, a working group was created to determine if the use of full body scanning x-ray technology would be viable for use in a policing context, given the Service’s interest in increasing the level of dignity and respect provided during our search process, and the number of civil claims, external complaints, Special Investigation Unit (S.I.U.) investigations, and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario applications filed in relation to circumstances surrounding strip searches. The report notes that the Service subsequently selected two vendors who supplied the Service with a F.B.S. for a period of three months each, with 14 Division selected as the test site for both vendors. The report includes details about the results of the pilot project, which were overwhelmingly positive for both people who were scanned as well as Service Members. The report recommends full implementation of F.B.S. capacity in the Service, with a F.B.S. unit operating at each central lock up facility within the Service and approriate resources allocated to renovate existing facilities, where no renovation or new build is planned, in order to accommodate an F.B.S.
VISION ZERO ENFORCEMENT TEAM
The Board will consider a report from the Chief regarding the Vision Zero Enforcement Team. As the report notes, the main focus of Vision Zero is reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our streets and the role of the police in the Vision Zero plan is primarily enforcement and education focused. The report states that the Service is committed to addressing these concerns but that the strategic enforcement of road safety issues remains a challenge in light of current staffing realities. The report recommends that the Board forward this report to the City Infrastructure and Environment Committee with a request that the enhanced Toronto Police Service’s proposed road safety program be funded from the City of Toronto’s Vision Zero 2.0 Program. It notes that the Vision Zero Enforcement Team would be staffed by Traffic Services officers on a call-back overtime basis, fully funded for one year by the City of Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Program, which has allocated $1.M to this project.
ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT FOR THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE
The Board will consider a report from the Chief with respect to the 2018 Annual Statistical Report of the Toronto Police Service. The statistical report provides year-over- year analysis of crime and operational data as well as administrative and budget content which highlight areas of the Service. The annual statistical report for 2018 also contains data for the second year of the new regulated interactions under the Ontario Regulation 58/16 of the Police Services Act, Collection of Identifying Information in Certain Circumstances. The report contains sections including Reported Crime, Charges, Victimization, Searches, Firearms, Traffic, Personnel and Budget, Complaints, Calls for Service, Regulated Interactions, and Administration. Highlights include a 10.8% increase in total reported offences, a 15.7% increase in crimes against property and 2300 firearms seized in 2018.
FURTHER RESPONSE TO CHAPMAN INQUEST
The Board will consider a report from the Chief providing a further response to the jury recommendations from the Coroner’s Inquest into the Death of Mr. Bradley John Chapman. The report provides details about a variety of initiatives that have been implemented to improve information-sharing between Service and Toronto Public Health. The report notes that the Service recently released a Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, which details eight areas of commitment, and related action items and requires an annual report, which will include the status of these action items. The report also states that the Service anticipates sharing as much relevant information related to the opioid overdose crisis as possible without disclosing investigative techniques and/or operational information.
The Toronto Police Services Board is the civilian body responsible for governing the Toronto Police Service. The Board is responsible for ensuring the provision of adequate and effective police services in the City of Toronto, setting priorities and objectives for the Toronto Police Service, approving the annual police budget and selecting the Chief of Police.
