14 MONTHS. 90+ BLOGS.

Fourteen months ago, I launched this blog. It started with an entry on the start of the collective bargaining process with the Toronto Police Association.

I had no idea where this blogging adventure would take me.

Fourteen months later and I continue to be amazed by the feedback I get from regular readers and people who have recently come across it. I have heard from TPS members, members of other police services, former students from my time at York University and various other residents of this great city.

Overwhelmingly, the feedback has been positive, except for those – and you know who you are – who were worried about what I might write.

Here are a few facts that you might not know:

• I believe this is the first blog to be used by an employer during a collective bargaining process. Typically, employers stick to traditional method of communications. We opted for something less traditional and, dare I say, more effective.

• While this blog has been used to communicate collective bargaining issues and notable items regarding the TPS, its greatest use has been to raise awareness of the need for a handgun ban. The largest number of blog entries, unfortunately, relate to violence and the federal government’s continued refusal to bring forth a handgun ban.

• We were featured twice as the “Best of the Blogs” in the Toronto Sun.

With that in mind, I present to you my 5 favourite blogs so far…..

5. Random Acts of Kindness - A very inspiring story about one police officer's effort to build positive relations by his attention to the needs of one family in inner-city Toronto.

4. Diversity at the Toronto Police Service and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. These two blogs highlight something that is so important to me and the entire TPSB – a diverse police service that reflects the diversity of the residents that it serves.

3. Welcoming Gen Y – Who knew that this next generation would provide so many challenges and opportunities for today’s employers?

2. Remembrance and RCMP Constable Douglas Scott – These blogs, while difficult to write, reminded me and (hopefully) the blog readers about the importance of remembering those men and women, here in Toronto, across Canada and around the world who serve.

1. Arbitration Order – This blog marked the end of a very long and very tiresome set of negotiations. I am thrilled to have it behind us so we can now focus all of our resources on providing the best policing services to the residents of Toronto.

You may wonder why none of the handgun ban blogs made it to the Top 5. It is because there are far too many to choose from. You can read all of them here. I will continue to use this blog to try and focus the attention of the federal government on this critical issue. In the meantime, one of the best things you can do is to go to the Mayor’s website and sign the petition.

Finally I’d like to give a shout out to everyone who suggested ideas, drew my attention to interesting stories, gently shot down my more off the wall pieces and gave me honest feedback. Thank you all!

Have a great New Year and I look forward to sharing more blogs with you in 2009.

Best,
Alok

ARBITRATION ORDER

STATEMENT FROM ALOK MUKHERJEE, CHAIR
TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOARD


This morning, the Interest Board of Arbitration issued an order concerning the renewal of the collective agreement for Toronto Police Service members represented by the Toronto Police Association (TPA). The order brings to a close a process that began some 13 months ago.

The Toronto Police Services Board would like to thank Arbitrator William Kaplan and the other members of the Interest Board of Arbitration for their hard work and efforts in resolving this matter.

The Arbitrator’s order settles the TPA collective agreements for 2008, 2009 and 2010 as follows:

o A cost increase of 9.9% over a three-year period (which due to staging is a 10.309% wage increase), from 2008-2010. By the end of 2010, a first class constable will earn $81,249.00 which will be $238 more than a first class constable from Peel Regional Police;
Establishment of a non-cumulative annual heath care spending account for retirees over the age of 65 and until they reach age 75, in the amount of $2500 for 2009, increasing to $3000 in 2010; and,
Minor improvements in a few other areas, such as vision care.

The order does not award Family Day as an additional benefit. However, for 2008 only, it provides one additional lieu day to full time members (or a part thereof for part-time members).

I am pleased that nothing in the order impedes the Chief of Police’s ability to effectively and efficiently manage the delivery of policing services.
The TPSB recognizes that this award comes at a time when the City of Toronto and the wider economy face challenges and uncertainty. The Toronto Police Services Board is satisfied that the Arbitrators’ award strikes a balance between improvements to the Collective Agreement and the current financial reality. The wage increase is consistent with the Board’s proposal of a 3% increase per year made to the Association in February of this year.

Happy Holidays

As we come to the end of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to look back on 2008 and to look forward to the year ahead of us.

The Board is extremely proud of the members of the Toronto Police Service who, on a daily basis, work for and with our community to make Toronto a safer and healthier place to live. We see evidence of partnerships between police and the community all around us, from programs engaging our young people like the Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) to targeted enforcement and mobilization activities like the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS).

We know, too, that our city is facing challenges, such as increasing concerns about gun violence. Over the past year, the Board has repeatedly highlighted the importance of a comprehensive strategy to combat this violence and has advocated for a ban on handguns. I know that we are doing our very best to get on top of this challenge.

I am proud of our commitment to community safety and I am confident that we will continue to work diligently, together, in the year to come so that our city remains safe and maintains a quality of life that is the envy of the world.

On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to wish you and your families all the best for the holiday season.

May you have a happy, healthy and safe New Year.


Alok Mukherjee
Chair

WITHOUT YOU, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY

WOW.

Did you read this in the Toronto Sun today?

Once again, the members of the Toronto Police Service have raised an amazing amount of money for the United Way of Greater Toronto. This year, the Service raised $600,000, exceeding its goal.

I was delighted to join Deputy Chief Kim Derry, Staff Superintendent Tony Corrie, Campaign Chair, TPA President Dave Wilson, Senior Officers’ Organization president Chuck Lawrence and Frances Lankin, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Toronto, at the cheque presentation. Ms Lankin is also my colleague on the Mayor's Advisory Panel on Making a Safe City Safer, chaired by former Ontario Chief Justice, Roy McMurtry.

I want to congratulate the members of the Service on an incredible achievement.

As Scottish writer Henry Drummond once said “Happiness... consists in giving, and in serving others.”

Here are my remarks from yesterday’s cheque presentation.

Honoured guests, members of the Toronto Police Service and members of the community:
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you here to the 2008 United Way Cheque Presentation.

The Service’s involvement in the United Way Campaign has been extremely rewarding, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to date.

Money donated to the United Way draws on the combined strength of campaigns and donors from across the community to make a difference in the lives of so many people who need it most.

In fact, our members use organizations funded by the United Way every day while performing their duties. These are great partnerships for all of us.

When we give to the United Way, not only do we assist those in our community, but we could also be helping those with whom we work and those with whom we share our lives.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Staff Superintendent Tony Corrie, this year’s campaign Chair and all of the organizers of the Toronto Police Service United Way Campaign for their tireless work and invaluable contributions in preparing this year’s campaign and ensuring that it was run smoothly and successfully. I am happy to report that we surpassed our goal, an amazing achievement!

I thank, too, all of those who participated in the campaign. You give the campaign strength and you give it energy.

And lastly, I would like to thank all of you who opened your hearts -- and your wallets – and made a donation to this year’s campaign. It is through your generosity that the United Way is able to offer its services, year after year, to those who need them.

At this time of year, it is especially gratifying to see the dedication of our members to the spirit of giving. Our ever-important partnerships with the community are something we very much treasure.

And I am proud to say that I know that our members – both uniform and civilian – carry on that spirit all year round.

Once again, on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, thank you and happy holidays to all.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

The quality of the relationship between the Toronto Police Service and the community is of the utmost importance.

On a daily basis, Service members work to foster and strengthen this ever-important relationship. The Toronto Police Services Board is extremely proud of their contribution in this critical area.

I have blogged a couple of times on this issue.

Therefore, I was delighted this morning to read in The Toronto Star’s "Random Act of Kindness" section, a very inspiring story about one police officer's effort to build positive relations by his attention to the needs of one family in inner city Toronto.

You can read it here.

REMEMBRANCE

Today, members of the Toronto Police Service’s Winged Wheels had the honour of escorting the bodies of Canada’s most recent fallen soldiers and their families to the Coroner’s Office.

Today, members of the Toronto Police Service will be reflecting on those Canadians who have lost their life in the service of their country.

As I wrote in a previous blog last Remembrance Day, I will be thinking about the numerous members of the Toronto Police Service who have contributed to promoting peace worldwide, in keeping with Canada as a peacekeeping nation, supporting the cause of democracy and human rights in other countries.

My condolences on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board go to all families who have lost loved ones in the service to their city and their country.

EPITAPH ON AN ARMY OF MERCENARIES

A.E. Housman

These, in the day when heaven was falling,
The hour when Earth's foundations fled,
Followed their mercenary calling
And took their wages and are dead.

Their shoulders held the sky suspended;
They stood, and earth's foundations stay;
What God abandoned, these defended,
And saved the sum of things for pay.

OPEN AND TANSPARENT – YEAR 2

For many organizations, both public and private sector, this time of year is spent focusing on the budgets for the upcoming year. It is a time to reflect on the finances for the previous year and to prioritize and set goals for the coming year. For some, these discussions take place behind closed doors with very few contributing to the discussion.

Not so for the Toronto Police Service and the Toronto Police Services Board. This is not the first time I have blogged about the TPS budget process and the Board’s and the City’s role in this process. Here is a refresher.

The Toronto Police Services Board is committed to having an open and transparent budget discussion; one in which the members of the public can have input into helping set the budgetary priorities for the Service.

With that in mind, tonight, members of the public are invited to make submissions and speak directly to Board members about what they believe our priorities should be. The Toronto Sun wrote about our process earlier this week.

If you are interested in participating this evening, please contact the Board office at 416-808-8080.

THE REVIEW OF THE ROOTS OF VIOLENCE

I wanted to blog immediately after I saw the report written by former Chief Justice Roy McMurtry and Alvin Curling, The Review of the Roots of Youth Violence . I opted instead to wait to review the public and media reaction. I also had the opportunity to speak with Chief Justice McMurtry, in the course of his research. For those of us who are familiar with the issues highlighted in the report, it came as no surprise that the report’s conclusions provoked both highly positive and some negative media and public reaction.

The one thing that has been underlined in both the report and in the subsequent media reaction is the need for coordination among all stakeholders, opinion leaders, research leaders, public agencies, community agencies and other concerned parties.

The Toronto Police Services Board has long talked about the importance of coordination in dealing with youth violence. Mayor David Miller, who is a member of the Toronto Police Services Board, echoed the Board’s view in his remarks quoted in the Report’s new release: “This report underlines the critical importance of governments building meaningful partnerships with business, labour and educational institutions to address the needs of thousands of youth from our most vulnerable communities. By providing them with the right environment with access to recreation, education, and proper training, these young people will have a real chance to live productive lives free from violence”.

At a time when the state of the economy weighs heavily on everyone's mind and there is a reluctance to commit new funds to initiatives, coordination is a smart tactic. I believe that there are many resources available from government and, public institutions as well as from the community. What we need and what the report stresses is a well thought out plan to coordinate these resources into a more efficient and effective overall strategy.

Our Board will watch the fate of this report and how it is received by the provincial government with great interest.

CRIME PREVENTION WEEK 2008

This morning I helped kick off Crime Prevention Week 2008 at Toronto Police Headquarters.

Here are my remarks……..

On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to welcome all of you to Toronto Police Headquarters as we kick off Crime Prevention Week 2008.

This year’s theme is: “Invest in Your Future: Prevent Crime” and I can think of no theme more relevant or more fundamental for us today. Our Board shares the general consensus that prevention of crime is no less important than vigorously responding to crime when it occurs. We further believe that a critical component of prevention is meaningful investment in our young people, who represent the future.

This year, the Crime Prevention Week is taking place at a time when there is, once again, heightened concern and considerable discussion about violent crime in our community. Members of the public are perturbed by the incidence of violence in our midst, such as the killing of innocent bystanders and the attacks on school premises involving young people.

It is understandable that in this context, our attention should be focused on the additional measures that may be required and the efficacy of the tools that are available to deal with these threats to public safety.

Yet, this is also the time when we need to pay equal – if not greater – attention to crime prevention. And that involves a commitment to doing everything we can to deter our future generation, namely young people, from straying into the path of violence.

Investment in young people must be a societal priority. No one institution or agency can assume that responsibility. Nor can any institution or agency avoid taking responsibility. This must be our collective priority. In this regard, our look forward to a broad debate around, and full implementation of, the McMurtry-Curling report on “The Roots of Violence.”

For our part, the Toronto Police Services Board is very much committed to investing in, and supporting, young people through a variety of programs and initiatives. We have established an Advisory Panel on Community Safety to advise the Board on issues that it should act on or advocate for to address gun violence among youth.

The Board was also an original proponent, and remains a key supporter of, the Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI). This summer youth employment program is a joint initiative of the Board and the Toronto Police Service. Funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, it has, in each of the last three years, provided well-paying and meaningful summer jobs for 100 youth from our at-risk neighbourhoods.

The Board also supports youth through its funding activities. In 2005, the Board decided to set aside a minimum of $100,000 from its Special Fund to support initiatives focussed on families, children and youth. Through this program, the Board has funded a good number of unique, progressive and powerful projects.

As well, the Board is proud to support the tremendous work that the Toronto Police Service is doing in this area, including innovative programs that are part of a larger anti-violence strategy. One shining example of this is the “Empowered Student Partnerships” program in so many of our high schools.

This unique student-led program encourages youth to plan, organize and execute anti-violence and problem-solving initiatives in their schools, in partnership with the Toronto Police Service, the school boards, the City and local community organizations.

The Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Service are working diligently in partnership with our many community partners to support our young people, and to ensure that our communities are safe and healthy for everyone. As we embark upon this year’s Crime Prevention Week, I invite every institution and all levels of government to take stock of their investments in our collective future so that, together, we can enable our young people to aspire to a life of hope rather than of crime and violence.

IT IS TIME

How many more times does the issue of a handgun ban have to be raised before the federal government realizes that the time has come for a handgun ban. This is the topic that has dominated this blog over the last year. (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here)

The Toronto Police Services Board supports it and has made this issue a priority for the Board.

The Chief of the Toronto Police Service supports it.

Mayor Miller supports it.

The 68,000+ residents who have signed the Mayor’s petition support it.

Ontario’s Attorney General and Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister support it.

The Premier of Ontario supports it.

The Toronto Star supports it and has had numerous editorials (here and here) saying just that.

If the federal government wants to get serious on crime – a handgun ban must be part of its response to this threat to our communities.

TOP 75 EMPLOYERS

I have blogged about the Toronto Police Service working hard to be the employer of choice.

It seems the Toronto Star agrees with us and named us one of the GTA’s Top 75 Employers.

The criteria for this award included:
· physical workplace,
· work atmosphere,
· health, financial and family benefits,
· vacation and time off,
· employee communications,
· performance management,
· training and skills development; and
· community involvement.


This is our third employment award this year. Earlier this year we were named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and we won the Ontario Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award.

I am delighted that the TPS is being recognized for our employment programs.

THE TPA'S SUPPORT

I was delighted to read TPA President Dave Wilson’s open letter to me expressing his support for the election questions to federal candidates. It was especially refreshing as Mr Wilson and I see eye to eye on so very little these days.

The purpose of these questions was to learn the positions of the federal candidates as they relate to policing in Toronto. In terms of the new officers, the previous Conservative government made a commitment to get 2,500 new officers on the street. To date, this commitment has yet to result in “boots hitting the street.”

With the election now behind us, we will look to the new Conservative government to provide Toronto with the tools we need to combat crime by providing clear criteria and sustainable funds in this fight. Until such time as we see a concrete commitment from the federal government, it will be difficult to assess how this translates for the Toronto Police Service.

"Interim Wage Increase for TPA Members"

STATEMENT FROM ALOK MUKHERJEE, CHAIR
TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOARD

Toronto - The Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Association are currently engaged in contract arbitration. Yesterday, Arbitrator William Kaplan issued an award which provided an interim wage increase of three percent (3%) to the base pay rates of Toronto Police Association members. This increase is retroactive to January 1, 2008.

The Board would like to thank the arbitrators for the important role they have played so far in this matter. We support this interim award, and recognize that it is taking a long time to negotiate the new contract. We will implement the interim wage increase as soon as possible.

As we continue the negotiation and arbitration processes, the Board remains committed to achieving a fair collective agreement that appropriately compensates our members and is fair to the people of Toronto. We must also ensure that any outcome allows for the efficient and effective delivery of policing services that the people of Toronto deserve.

BOARD SEEKS CANDIDATES' POSITION ON CRITICAL COMMUNITY SAFETY ISSUES

TORONTO: Toronto Police Services Board Chair Alok Mukherjee has sent a letter to candidates contesting the federal election in Toronto ridings seeking their positions on three issues critical to community safety and the efficient delivery of police services. The Board has asked the Chair to solicit candidates' positions because of its keen interest in the federal role in supporting public safety in Toronto.

First, the letter describes the tremendous cost burden that the outright downloading of policing responsibilities, cross-jurisdictional policing and the need to provide policing services to fill a gap or an unmet need, have placed on the Toronto Police Service. The Chair asks candidates their position on this issue and what steps they would take in this area.

Second, the letter details the significant concerns around the use of firearms in the commission of criminal acts in Toronto and, in particular, the use of handguns by young people. The letter indicates that the Board has taken the position that all levels of government should work together to take the necessary legislative action on this issue, impose a handgun ban and increase enforcement measures to prevent gun trafficking. The Chair asks candidates their position on the measures that they believe should be taken to combat gun violence, include legislative changes, collaboration with other levels of government and the implementation of specific crime prevention initiatives.

Lastly, the letter discusses the commitment made by the Conservative Party during the last federal election to put 2500 new police officers on the streets of Canada and the fact that this commitment has yet to be fully met. The Chair asks candidates how they, if elected, would, act on this important commitment.

Each candidate is asked to describe what concrete action they will take personally on each issue, if elected and they are told that the responses will be posted publically.

The full text of the letter can be found on the Board’s website.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Earlier this week I was delighted to proclaim the first Annual Occupational Health and Safety Day at the Toronto Police Service.

The Toronto Police Services Board has a keen interest in the health and safety of all of the members of the Service. For the Board, our concern goes beyond health and safety and includes the overall wellness of our members. I believe that this commitment is part of what makes us an employer of choice.

I am also very pleased that health and safety is an area in which the Board, the Service and the Association can all work together productively, in the best interest of the members of our Service.

Here are my speaking notes from the launch.




Good morning,

On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, it gives me great pleasure to proclaim today, October 1, 2008, as our annual Occupational Health and Safety Day. As of this day, the first Wednesday of every October shall be our Occupational Health and Safety Day.

And on behalf of the Board, the Service, the Association and their representatives on the Central Joint Health and Safety Committee, I want to welcome all of our Joint Health and Safety Committees for joining us on this important today.

The “Occupational Health and Safety” Board policy states that:

The Toronto Police Services Board, as the employer, is ultimately responsible for worker health and safety. Through the implementation of initiatives intended to eliminate occupational illnesses and injuries, the Toronto Police Services Board is dedicated to the goal of enhancing employee wellness and maintaining workplaces that are safe and healthy for the members of the Toronto Police Service.

The Board recognizes that the local Joint Health and Safety Committees and the Central Joint Health and Safety Committee play an integral role in helping the Board achieve this goal. Joint Health and Safety Committees throughout the Service will be the framework within which Management and the Toronto Police Association will work cooperatively to develop and implement the internal responsibility system that is the key to an effective health and safety program.

As you can see, the Board Policy recognizes the local Joint Health and Safety Committees to be the foundation of our occupational health and safety system.

Health and safety of members is a matter of great importance to all of us. I am pleased that it is an area in which the Board, the Service and the Association work cooperatively and for a common purpose.

I want to thank all members of our local Committees for your energy, your interest and your dedication. Beginning with the October 6 meeting, you have been invited to visit our Central Joint Health and Safety Committee. I look forward to meeting many of you as you attend our meeting, get to know what we do, and share your knowledge and information with us.

Once again, on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I am pleased to be here to commemorate the first ever Occupational Health and Safety Day. It is critical that we remember, each and every day, that employee wellness is a paramount concern and that we work together to ensure that our workplace is healthy, safe and happy.

Thank you.

POLICE CHIEFS WANT TO HALT PAY TO SUSPENDED COPS

In July I wrote an op ed in The Toronto Star and blogged here and here on the need to allow for suspension without pay of police officers in certain circumstances. This is an issue that is of paramount importance to the Toronto Police Services Board.

In fact,since 1997, the Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Service have made numerous recommendations to politicians for amendments to the Police Services Act that would allow for suspension without pay in certain circumstances. The last time our Board did this was on September 28, 2006.

The Hamilton Spectator's Susan Clairmont very clearly lays out the issue and Ontario's unique position in today's paper.

CRIME. CRIME. CRIME. CRIME.

It is day six of the federal election campaign and, as usual, I am watching it with great curiosity and interest.

 

The federal party leaders are out and about, everyone making their first of a large number of stops in the vote-rich GTA.

 

They talk about issues like infrastructure, manufacturing and families.

 

They also talk about crime.

 

If the party leaders want to get serious about crime, they can do what the Toronto Police Services Board and Mayor Miller (who is a member of our Board) have repeatedly called on Ottawa to do – impose a handgun ban.

 

This issue goes far beyond the election.  It is an issue that I have frequently blogged on (here, here and here) because it is one significant thing that the federal government can do quickly to address the issue of gun violence in this country. 

 

I will continue to watch this election with great interest in the hope that all party leaders will make the issue of a handgun ban a priority  

DIVERSITY AND THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE

Yestderday, 77 new recruits joined the Toronto Police Service.  I would like to share with you this article from today's Toronto Sun on the diversity of people who are coming to work for the Toronto Police Service.  As I have said in previous blogs, here and here, the demographics of our recruits are changing to reflect the diversity that is Toronto.

And that's a good thing.

SPARKING PUBLIC DEBATE

Today The Toronto Sun has called for a review of the practice of paid duty by police officers in Toronto with its editorial on the subject.  It appears that this is becoming a matter of significant public interest.  

This morning, on CFRB 1010, Jim Richards and his listeners also weighed in on the topic during the "Jim Richards Showgram."

In Wednesday's blog I mentioned John Barber's column on paid duty in the Globe and Mail.  

PAID DUTY

In today's Globe and Mail, columnist John Barber deals with the subject of paid duty.  He raises some thought provoking questions on a matter that has attracted considerable public attention.  Here is the link to Barber's column.

WHAT DOES # 1 REALLY MEAN?

The Toronto Police Association says that it wants its members to be number one. What does this really mean?

The TPA likes to complain about many things, and never has much to say that is positive about the terms and conditions of employment for its members.

Of late, the complaint has been that the Board refuses to ensure that police officers in Toronto are the highest paid in the province.

I will explain the Board’s position in a moment, but let’s start by looking at the history of the collective agreements that the Board and the TPA have reached over the years.

From 2000 to 2007, the annual salary for a TPS officer was almost exactly the same as the average of the other twelve largest police services. The numbers below show where the TPS salary is when compared to the average of the other twelve largest police services.

2000 +.2%
2001 +.1%
2002 +.3%
2003 +.1%
2004 +.2%
2005 +.2%
2006 +.1%
2007 +.0%

This information shows us that the annual salary for TPS officers has been very close to the average of the largest services. If you look at the data in more detail, you see the annual officer salaries among the largest services are always very close together.

For example, in 2006, the average salary of a First Class Constable ranged from $71,567 (the OPP) to $71,211 (London). Toronto was $71,511. Even this brief overview leads me to my first inescapable conclusion:

Raising the rate of pay of one of the large police services means raising the rates of pay for all of them.

Why?

The TPS does not bargain in isolation. The fact is that the terms and conditions of employment for police officers are set through pattern bargaining or pattern arbitration among the largest police services. For example, arbitrators considering what to award police services in Durham, Ottawa or Sudbury look to settlements or arbitration awards in places like Toronto, the OPP or Peel. The so called “Big 12” is the group within which this pattern bargaining occurs for Toronto.

So let us be very clear about the implication of TPA’s demand that its members be the best paid by a substantial margin. If conceded, TPA’s demand will contribute to the process of driving police officer rates of pay in the province higher and higher, with no limit.

The TPA knows that it can only ever be the best paid until the next settlement or arbitration award. Being number one never lasts, only the municipality is saddled with a forever spiralling wage bill for policing. The TPA does not care about that.

There is something else going on right now that makes this even more interesting.

The collective agreement between the Peel Regional Police Service and its Police Association for the period ending December 31, 2010 has a provision that commits Peel to provide the same salary as the highest paid police service. This means that providing a higher salary in 2010 only drives the Peel rate to the same number. Given the history of police bargaining in Ontario, it really means that the salary for all of the large services would be driven ever higher.

The Board’s position is that it must balance a number of competing factors:

• balancing the interests of a number of stakeholders, for example the Service and its members, the taxpayers and Toronto’s residents
• the fairness and affordability of the collective agreement
• ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of police service
• examining the comparator collective agreements to ensure that we are providing a fair and appropriate outcome

We are convinced that, rhetoric apart, our approach is the only way to ensure a fair result for everyone – not just for the TPA.

THE COST OF POLICING – SOME INTERESTING NUMBERS

One has to give credit to Dave Wilson for being so single-minded. You ask him anything about policing in Toronto and he says: “It is the fault of the Toronto Police Services Board. If only the Board agreed to make our members the highest paid police officers in the country, all public safety issues will disappear.” I am not sure if this is an example of being single-minded or of having a one-track mind. It is like all VIA trains travel on the same track, no matter what the destination!

In Dave Wilson’s case, that track is called MORE TAX DOLLARS!

We often hear the cry of “We’re behind” or “You don’t respect us” from the Toronto Police Association when its bargaining demands are not being met. This time is no different.

From the Association’s constant refrain, you would assume that Toronto is not paying its fair share when it comes to policing. The opposite is true. In fact, Toronto devotes a very high level of resources to policing. Comparisons with other municipalities provide a very interesting insight about the cost of policing and the level of resources that Toronto provides to its police service.

What are the conclusions?

A few themes emerge from this comparison:
· Toronto is well-resourced when it comes to policing.
· Toronto’s cost of policing is significantly higher than those of our neighbours.
· Except for Windsor, Toronto has proportionately more police officers than any other major Ontario municipality. Toronto’s per capita cost of policing is among the highest in Canada. It is 30% higher than the average of the major Ontario municipalities.

The Data

The following data provide some interesting information about police resources. These are derived from Statistics Canada’s annual report called “Police Resources in Canada” which provides a variety of statistical data concerning the level of police resources across the country.

The Cost of Policing

The cost of policing in the large Ontario municipalities provides an interesting point of comparison.
In terms of per capita cost derived from dividing the police budget by population, we see that Toronto’s per capita cost of $320 is the highest. This figure compares to $211 for Peel and Durham and $192 for York. London, which has the highest crime rate per 100,000 population, has a per capita cost that is about 33% less than that of Toronto

Operating Expenditures – Ontario Large Police Services – 2006
Source: Police Resources in Canada, 2007 p. 48

Police Service: York
Per Capita Cost: $192

Police Service: Halton
Per Capita Cost: $185

Police Service: Peel
Per Capita Cost: $211

Police Service: Durham
Per Capita Cost: $211

Police Service: Waterloo
Per Capita Cost: $190

Police Service: Ottawa
Per Capita Cost: $217

Police Service: Niagara
Per Capita Cost: $255

Police Service: Greater Sudbury
Per Capita Cost: $233

Police Service: Hamilton
Per Capita Cost: $220

Police Service: Toronto
Per Capita Cost: $320

Police Service: Windsor
Per Capita Cost: $284

Police Service: London
Per Capita Cost: $200

AVERAGE: $226.50


What about the number of police officers for each resident?

If we examine the ratio of population to police officer in the large Ontario municipal police services, we see that Toronto has much fewer residents per police officer.


Population per Police Officer – Ontario Large Police Services – 2007
Source: Police Resources in Canada, 2007, p. 32

Toronto - 474

Windsor - 474

London - 636

Niagara Regional - 653

Greater Sudbury - 655

Hamilton - 669

Ottawa - 694

Peel - 706

Waterloo Regional - 717

Durham Regional - 733

York - 752

Halton - 836

Compared to the other major services, Toronto has the highest level of police officers to population and is significantly higher than the adjacent police services of York, Durham and Peel.


What about the crime rates in these municipalities?

This data examines the number of police officers per 100,000 population in the municipalities. It also lists the 2006 crime rate for these municipalities in terms of the number of Criminal Code incidents per 100,000 population.


Police Officers and Crime Rates – Large Ontario Municipal Police Services

Police Service: York
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 133
2006 Crime Rate: 3177

Police Service: Halton
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 120
2006 Crime Rate: 3575

Police Service: Peel
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 142
2006 Crime Rate: 4020

Police Service: Durham
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 136
2006 Crime Rate: 4890

Police Service: Waterloo
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 140
2006 Crime Rate: 5295

Police Service: Ottawa
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 144
2006 Crime Rate: 5913

Police Service: Niagara
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 153
2006 Crime Rate: 5951

Police Service: Greater Sudbury
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 153
2006 Crime Rate: 6219

Police Service: Hamilton
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 149
2006 Crime Rate: 6298

Police Service: Toronto
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 211
2006 Crime Rate: 6371

Police Service: Windsor
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 211
2006 Crime Rate: 8662

Police Service: London
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 157
2006 Crime Rate: 9194

This data is interesting because it shows that the Toronto crime rate is relatively the same as those in Hamilton, Sudbury, Niagara Region and Ottawa. It is substantially less than those in Windsor and London. Yet, the proportion of Toronto officers is the same as Windsor – and much higher (almost 50%) than in municipalities with a similar crime rate.


What about major Canadian cities as a basis for comparison?

With a couple of exceptions, Toronto has a lower crime rate than other Canadian cities. We are able to achieve this with a ratio of officers to population that is almost always lower than in other cities.


Major Canadian Cities
Source: Police Resources in Canada, 2007 p.18

City: Montreal
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 235
2006 Crime Rate: 8772

City: Vancouver
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 222
2006 Crime Rate: 11583

City: Calgary
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 159
2006 Crime Rate: 6642

City: Edmonton
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 184
2006 Crime Rate: 11045

City: Winnipeg
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 196
2006 Crime Rate: 11805

City: Quebec City
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 138
2006 Crime Rate: 5424

City: Halifax
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 222
2006 Crime Rate: 11824

City: Saskatoon
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 191
2006 Crime Rate: 13996

City: Regina
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 189
2006 Crime Rate: 13152

City: St. John’s
Police Officers per 100,000 population 2007: 153
2006 Crime Rate: 6773

This brief examination of the level of resources in relation to crime rates allows for some interesting and important conclusions.

First, the level of resources is high compared to many of the comparator jurisdictions, both in terms of number of officers and financing.

Second, the crime rate data is quite good. The overall crime rate is comparable to many other services (who have lower resource levels) and the trend is favourable.

Third, the per capita cost is a concern. It is substantially higher than many of the comparators. Given the large population base in Toronto – a 30% differential in per capita cost translates into a budget impact of about one-quarter of a billion dollars per year.

GOOD NIGHT DAVE. NO NEED TO LOSE SLEEP.

TPA Prez Dave Wilson is very worried that we may lose 800 police officers. He blames the Toronto Police Services Board for causing him sleepless nights by supposedly refusing to make his members the best paid police officers in the country. This is precisely the reason why, in his nightmare scenario, up to 800 police officers will desert us.

I confess that I am awestruck by Prez Wilson’s prowess with the crystal ball. Because, you see, I have been thinking about who might be in this list of 800. I believe it includes TPA Directors Corrigan, Molyneaux and Zayak.........?? It includes a majority of the Senior Management and the Command Team. And it includes many Inspectors, Staff Sergeants and Sergeants, besides a few hundred First Class Constables.

What is the one thing that is common among them, besides the fact that most of them wear a uniform?

It is that they have served the number of years that makes them ELIGIBLE to retire with a full pension.

In an organization which can legitimately take pride in the fact that the vast majority of its thousands of employees like to stay and to serve for long years, is it all that surprising that there may be up to 800 people who could retire if they wanted to?

Time for reality check: what has been our experience with turnover?

The number of people leaving because they are eligible to retire on full pension has been pretty consistent over the years. It is in the region of 220-250. In an organization this size, that is not abnormal.

It is to be expected that there will be a proportion of people who, when they are able to do so, will take advantage of their eligibility to either enjoy a slower paced lifestyle or to pursue some other interest.

It is also to be expected that, in addition to people who are eligible to retire, there will be some who will leave voluntarily and earlier than the normal retirees. They may leave due to illness or incapacity, a better job offer, desire to work closer to home, or such negative factors as alienation, disenchantment, disappointment, frustration, etc.

An employer would need to be concerned – in fact, VERY concerned – if there was a very high rate of voluntary separation.

A second reality check: what is our experience?

I believe there are about 30 people who are leaving us before they are eligible to retire. That is 30 out of 5510 uniform and 2200 civilian employees.

And they are leaving primarily because of illness or because they wish to work near where they live.

How many of these 30 have said that they are leaving because the Board has not made them the best paid in the country?

ZERO. Yup, you heard me right. ZERO.

So, I plead with Prez Wilson: please, do not lose sleep or worry too much.

I truly appreciate your concern for the well-being of the organization. But let me assure you, we are doing just fine.

In fact, we are doing very, very fine.

Our recruitments are high. We are getting young people who are bringing new energy, high education, a broad range of experience, and tremendous diversity. With each new group of recruits, our organization is looking more and more like this City.

And we are maintaining a fine balance between youth and experience.

WHY I AM NOT “HEART-BROKEN” ABOUT GOING TO ARBITRATION: AN OVERVIEW OF THE MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION PROCESSES

On Sunday, August 10, Justice John Murray concluded his mediation of the contract negotiations between the Board and the TPA. As I announced that evening, our next destination is arbitration.

In some quarters, anguish has been expressed that for the first time in 10 years, we are going to arbitration.

I do not believe that mediation and arbitration are signs of failure – they are very important next steps in the bargaining process.

For an essential service like policing, there must be a way for the employer and the trade union to resolve their disputes over terms and conditions of employment when bilateral negotiation does not succeed. Unlike many other collective bargaining relationships, there is no right to strike in the policing sector – nor should there ever be. Public safety is not something that can be withheld or interfered with as part of a collective bargaining dispute.

In this essential services environment, mediation and arbitration are the processes which exist to help parties reach a new collective agreement.

Mediation

Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process often used to try to solve complex disputes. An independent third party, the mediator, assists the two sides to come to an agreement.
One of the most important features of mediation is that the mediator cannot force the parties to agree to an outcome. A mediator helps the parties come to an agreement through a process of identifying interests in joint sessions and separate caucuses. In the right circumstances, a skilled mediator can help close the gap between parties who were initially very far apart.

Over the last decade, the Board and the Association have reached agreements before, during and even after mediation.

Arbitration

The arbitration process is the last step in resolving the collective agreement. At the end of the arbitration process, a written award is usually issued which describes the arbitrator’s decision on the outstanding items. Sometimes, the parties end up reaching an agreement during the arbitration process. The arbitrator’s award is binding on both parties.

Who is the arbitrator?

Arbitrators are individuals who are highly respected in their field and have a lot of experience. Many are (or have been) law professors or practicing lawyers. Some are not lawyers but have a wealth of arbitration experience and understand the collective bargaining process intimately. They are seen to be neutral, and are required to act as such.

How is the arbitrator chosen?

It is usual for parties to plan for mediation and arbitration at the start of the collective bargaining process. This is when they propose and exchange names of possible mediators and arbitrators, and decide on their choice through discussion. When they are unable to make a choice voluntarily, they can approach a statutory body like the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission, and make a request for a mediator or an arbitrator to be appointed. Clearly, the arbitrator is a different person from the mediator.

How does arbitration work?

A critical feature of the arbitration process is that each side must justify its position with credible arguments and supporting facts. Unlike bargaining, or even mediation, the arbitration process involves a third party deciding the issues for you.

Each side prepares written material in advance in support of its position. This material will present the reasons why each side thinks that it is correct about how a particular issue should be resolved.

At the hearing itself, each side has a chance to make a presentation about each issue in dispute.

The collective agreement arbitration is a public process, so interested third parties can attend the hearing to observe what’s happening.

The arbitrator’s award is a public document – so anyone can see what the outcome is. Different arbitrators provide different levels of detail and reasons in support of their decision.

FAIRNESS AND RESPECT

I am not surprised in the least that, true to form, TPA President Dave Wilson has resorted to the “blame game.” I had hoped that we would move on to arbitration as the means to solve our differences as respectfully and as quickly as possible. Arbitration isn’t about blame.

I find it ironic in the extreme that Dave Wilson should be talking about respect and fairness when he shows absolutely no respect towards a very important party, the public.

The Toronto Police Services Board respects and supports our members and the important role that they play in keeping our city one of the safest in Canada. There are many concrete ways in which we have demonstrated how we value our members. I challenge Dave Wilson to show it is otherwise. We have always said that we want a negotiated collective agreement that is fair. We do not blame our members for seeking improvements in their collective agreement.

As part of our desire to deal with our members fairly, we offered a 3% raise over each of the next 3 years. We offered this in February 2008.

Dave Wilson and his team ignored it and never mentioned it again.

I understand that the TPA is limited to serving its members and, as Chair, I respect that role. However, the Board has a number of interests to serve and to balance besides those of the members. These include: the City, the residents and the taxpayers. And finally the Board has a duty to support Chief’s role in the delivery of effective and efficient police services.

DESTINATION: ARBITRATION

After six days in mediation with the assistance of the Honourable Mr. Justice John Murray, we regret to announce that we have been unable to make progress toward the resolution of the collective agreement.

At the outset, I would like to thank Justice Murray for his selfless efforts over the course of these six days in trying to assist the parties in attaining a more positive result.

Although we strongly prefer a negotiated agreement, there are far too many issues between the parties that stand in the way of concluding an agreement.

Throughout this process, the Board remains committed to achieving a fair collective agreement that appropriately compensates our members and is fair to the people of Toronto. Of course, we must also ensure that a settlement allows for the efficient and effective delivery of policing services that the people of Toronto deserve.

We are proud of our officers and civilian members and the significant contributions that they make in keeping Toronto one of Canada's safest cities.

Dates for arbitration have been scheduled for the early Fall of this year.

OPERA NOT OVER UNTIL THIS SCORE OF TEENS SINGS

This inspiring article from this morning's Toronto Star may have been the first that you have heard of the organization ProAction Cops and Kids.

This exceptional organization is the largest private funder of Toronto Police programs for at-risk youth.  We are proud to be affiliated with them.  

It’s Getting Louder

As I mentioned in a post last week the calls for a gun ban are getting louder.

Here is what the Toronto Star said in today's editorial on the issue.

Toronto Police Service Caribana Kick-Off

Toronto Police Service Caribana Kick-Off
August 1, 2008
Speaking Notes for Chair Alok Mukherjee

Chief Blair, Councillor Stintz, Mr. Joe Halstead, Mr. Rick Gosling, honoured guests, members of the Toronto Police Service, our Youth in Policing Initiative students, and members of the community:

On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, it gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you here today. I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues, Councillor Di Giorgio and Hamlin Grange.

Caribana is, first and foremost, a celebration of the cultural heritage of people from the Caribbean. But it is not that alone. I have come to believe that Caribana is a celebration of the vibrancy, richness and colourfulness of the kaleidoscopic culture that characterizes our city and our country today. The powerful spirit of this festival can be felt throughout this city, in all of our neighbourhoods.

Beginning as a Caribbean festival that reflected the African, East Indian and European cultural traditions of the Caribbean, it has, over the years, welcomed the festive traditions of members of many communities that are now present in Toronto.

Now in its 41st year, Caribana is a time for people from all backgrounds and cultures to come together in co-operation. It is a time to sing and dance together. Most of all, it is a time to have fun together.

Caribana is just one of the many times when we, as a Board, celebrate the tremendous partnerships between the public and the police. We celebrate our partnership with Toronto’s dynamic Black community. And we celebrate our partnership with the City’s youth. And what better way to do this than through this festival!

The Toronto Police Service makes every effort to ensure that people can do these in safety and harmony.

As we look forward to another season of cultural sharing, celebration and fun that is Caribana, I want to draw our attention to an issue that should concern all of us deeply. And that is the level of gun violence in this City. We should draw satisfaction from the fact that, as reported by Statistics Canada, Toronto remains the safest city in Canada.

The comprehensive anti-violence strategy of the Toronto Police Service has shown significant results. Nevertheless, there has recently been a spate of gun violence that has cost several lives. As a community, we must declare our collective zero tolerance for gun violence. And as a community, we must support and become full partners in the efforts to deter, as well as to respond strongly to, the violent acts of a handful. They must not be allowed to hold our communities hostage and to jeopardize the right of the vast majority to lead violence-free lives.

I am satisfied that we will have an excellent Caribana parade and festivity. Together, we will make sure that Torontonians and visitors alike enjoy the Caribana they deserve – an event that is joyous and peaceful.

By joining hands and cooperating with each other to ensure such a Caribana season, let us send a powerful message to those who believe that settling disputes or disagreements with guns is okay. It is not okay, and, together, we will do all that it takes to rid our community of these criminals.

So, to end, I wish you all a fun-filled Caribana season, and urge you to be vigilant partners in ensuring that it is also a safe event for one and all.

Once again, on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I wish all of you the best as you join together in celebrating Caribana. Enjoy the music, enjoy the dancing and above all, enjoy the spirit of unity, harmony and festivity that underlies this magical event.

Thank you.

Increasing the Volume on the Gun Ban

Gun violence and the need for a gun ban are issues that I have blogged about on numerous occasions. They are issues that I believe are of the utmost importance for all residents of Toronto.
I am very pleased to see that volume on these issues is increasing:
*Members of the Toronto Community Housing’s communities committee yesterday took steps to start to curb gun violence. You can read the Toronto Sun story here.
*The Toronto Sun story is also reporting that 60,000 people have signed Mayor Miller's online petition.

TODAY'S GLOBE AND MAIL

Today's Globe and Mail had two very insightful articles on the Toronto Police Service. You can read them here and here.

COMBATTING RACISM ON THE WORLD STAGE

Earlier this summer I had the privilege of representing the Canadian Coalition of Cities against Racism and Discrimination at UNESCO’s 3rd World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes (France). It was here that UNESCO launched an international coalition of cities against racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance. I was honoured to join the other regional representatives, and Pierre Sané, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, on the podium to sign the “Nantes Declaration” marking the launch of this international coalition.

The details of this historic event and speaking notes and biographies of my counterparts can be found here .

At the forum, I had the opportunity to address the international delegates and provide both a briefing on the governance of policing in Canada and background on the measures that we have in place and are working on to combat racism in Toronto.

Here is a summary of my remarks:

“We are part of a network that is cooperating with the Canadian Coalition of Cities against Racism and Discrimination. Under the law, in virtually every province of Canada, the municipal police has a civilian oversight body such as a police services board or a commission that is independent of the municipal government. These boards or commissions are composed of local elected representatives and people from civil society. They are in charge of ensuring that the local police act in line with the laws and the public interest. The police service can lose public confidence and trust if, as an organization, it lacks systemic affirmative and proactive measures to ensure anti-racism, inclusivity and equity in its treatment of people from different backgrounds. For example, young people from the black communities have expressed a lack of confidence in the police and Aboriginal communities have felt that local police did not sufficiently take into account their cultural realities. This has caused several sad incidents. We have two reasons to believe that in Toronto our action against racism and for the promotion of ethnocultural equality is now bearing fruits. The composition of police has changed significantly in the last 3 years. First, we are working to ensure that our police service reflects the diversity of the population. People from all communities, including “racialized” groups as well as women, are represented at all levels of the hierarchy. As a result, in different communities, we have perceived a growing confidence in the police. We believe that part of the role of local police is to contribute to a better quality of life for all people. That is why we carry out activities to promote social justice and to strengthen law enforcement and crime prevention. We believe that these efforts complement the efforts of Municipalities and can reinforce the capacity of the Coalition to meet its objectives.”

YESTERDAY'S OP ED

I have received feedback, from different audiences, on my op ed in yesterday's Toronto Star.

Could it be that the much needed public policy dicussion on the suspension of police officers with pay has started?

PRESSING NEED FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION

My op ed on the suspension of police officers with pay appeared in today's Toronto Star.

There is a pressing need for public discussion on this significant public policy issue. It is my hope that through the op ed and my previous blogs we will be able to engage both the public and the legislators in a fruitful discussion that ultimately leads to much needed amendments to the Police Services Act.

Much Needed Amendments to the Police Services Act

You may have read today’s editorial in the Toronto Star regarding the issue of suspension with pay for police officers. I blogged about this in February and was pleased to see this issue finally starting to get the mainstream attention that it so rightly deserves.

Let me explain.

Under the Police Services Act, a police officer cannot be suspended without pay unless s/he is convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

I understand the philosophical reason that the Act is so restrictive. I do not, however, understand why this provision needs to be so broad in scope that an officer cannot be suspended without pay even when charged with the most serious acts and why the protection applies even when the officer's action occurred off the job.

For police services boards, who are responsible for policy regarding policing, including that related to the employment of police officers and who have responsibility to seek legislative changes to the Police Services Act, this is a very serious issue.

Last year, the Toronto Police Services Board yet again wrote to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services recommending that subsection 67(1) of the Act be amended to allow police officers to be suspended without pay in certain limited circumstances. The issue has been raised with all political parties in the last two years, during hearings by the Ontario Legislature's Standing Committee on Justice Policy related to amendments to the Act.

The Ontario Association of Police Service Boards and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police also want these necessary amendments to the Act to reflect today's societal expectations of police conduct.

The only groups that vehemently support the continuation of suspension with pay under all circumstances are the Toronto Police Association and the Police Association of Ontario.

It is time that the Police Services Act is amended to allow for suspension without pay in certain circumstances. Perhaps increased public attention and the resulting pressure on legislators will be what it takes to finally get the required amendments.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

CONGRATULATIONS to the women of the Toronto Police Service who are helping build Habitat for Humanity houses for deserving Toronto families.

Members of the Toronto Police Service donate thousands of volunteer hours to various worthy causes. The Habitat for Humanity project is one of the finest examples of the ways in which our members - in this case, women -are making a tremendous contribution to improving the quality of life in our community.

Here is their story and a story that appeared in the Toronto Sun last month.

Female cops unite for Humanity
By Sharon Lem , SUN MEDIA
Move over Mike Holmes.
More than 350 women from Toronto Police Services are going to don hard hats and flex their muscles to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Scarborough.
So far, female police officers and civilian police personnel have raised more than $100,000 toward the $1.2-million project building 10 houses in the Lawrence Ave. E.-Manse Rd. area this fall.
"I've been with the Toronto Police for over 20 years and we've done a lot of fundraising before, but what makes this really special is I've never seen a movement by women of Toronto Police," Det.-Sgt. Kim Scanlan, of the Sex Crimes Unit, said.
Scanlan said the women rallied together because they all see the value of giving deserving families a roof over their heads and a safe and decent place to live.
"Women at Toronto Police have been the driving force to planning all of these fund-raising events. Since April we've had over 10 different events including bake sales and car washes," Scanlan said.
Yesterday, Scanlan helped to organize a wine and cheese party, art sale and a silent auction.
The non-profit Habitat for Humanity movement began in 1976 and expanded to Canada in 1985. It follows a basic concept that people in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers to build simple houses.
For information on Habitat for Humanity, call 416-755-7353.

GUNS BY THE NUMBER

I have spent the weekend thinking about numbers as they relate to guns in this city and what can be done to decrease those numbers. Here are the numbers:

Total number of firearms seized in 2007 by the Toronto Police Service was 2603.
• 817 of these firearms were identified as crime guns.
• 368 of these crime guns had their origins proven, of those
• 190 (51.5% of the 368) were proven to be smuggled into Canada.
• 178 (48.5% of the 368) were domestically sourced

Last Thursday, Chief Bill Blair spoke to the Toronto Police Services Board on the issue of guns in the City. You may have seen some of the media stories here and here.

No one can deny that we have a gun problem in the City of Toronto. I have blogged on the issue numerous times. It is an issue that the Toronto Police Services Board cares deeply about. It is an issue that needs to be addressed head on.

How can we address it?

WITH A HANDGUN BAN.

A handgun ban is something that the TPSB, the Mayor , Ontario’s Attorney General, Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Premier of Ontario have all called for.

And yesterday, June 23, the Toronto City Council overwhelmingly approved a strategy to keep guns out of our community. Read about it here, here and here.

It is time for our political leaders, particularly those in Ottawa, to step up to the plate and work towards a handgun ban.

While a handgun ban alone is not the solution, it is an extremely necessary part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the horrific effects of gun crime.

Every worthwhile endeavour needs a starting point. The starting point for Toronto is a ban on handguns.

OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD

GUEST BLOGGER - JUDI COHEN, MEMBER OF THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOARD

Last night I had the honour of representing the Toronto Police Services Board at the Officer of the Year Award event. This award, created by the Toronto Board of Trade, recognizes Toronto Police Service officers who have significantly contributed to making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world. This year, there were 23 officers nominated .

As I mentioned in my remarks last night, the men and women who work for the Toronto Police Service are an impressive group. The Service is a world leader in law enforcement, garnering international attention and accolades for its dedicated members and its innovative approach to community policing.

This year, we honoured 23 officers for their part in making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.

These officers embody the Service’s Core Values, principles that the Service holds paramount and, in so doing, they serve as heroes to Service members and community members alike.

Each nominee has a remarkable story. Each one demonstrates ethical conduct, professionalism, dedication and bravery of the highest degree. Each one went beyond the call of duty and performed impressively and admirably. These officers are our heroes, each one of them.

On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to congratulate this year’s winners - Police Constables Mark Tan, Jennifer Anderson, Frederick Hillier & Trevor Morrison.

You may have read about these officers in the media last December. Here is their story:

On December 10th, 2006 a three-tiered emergency response was initiated at a large water reservoir. Several youths were playing soccer in the vicinity of the reservoir. At this time, one of the boys was standing on the ice for several moments before the thin ice gave way and he was submerged into the frigid water. Three of the boys ran to get help, while another boy proceeded onto the ice in an attempt to rescue his friend. He was able to reach the location, grabbed the victim’s hands and attempted to lift him from the water. The thin ice gave way and the second boy also was engulfed in the water. The sequence of events had been witnessed by a man who quickly grabbed an extension cord from his garage, jumped into his vehicle and drove to the footpath on the east side of the reservoir. Upon arrival he ran to the side of the boys but could only see one boy in the water. He threw the extension cord to the boy but he was unable to grasp the cord due to the onset of hypothermia.

At this time, police units arrived on scene. Constable Mark Tan removed his equipment belt and jacket and immediately entered the water to assist the boys. Constable Jennifer Anderson also entered the water however she was still wearing her equipment belt and jacket. Constables Frederick Hillier and Trevor Morrison stood in the shallow part of the water to assist the other officers. Constable Tan and the witness walked onto the ice and immediately fell through into the frigid waters. They soon realized they could stand on the bottom and began breaking the ice around them in order to walk out to where the victim was floating. Unaware that within a few metres of the shore line there was an abrupt drop, Constables Tan, Anderson and the witness became completely submerged in the water. Constables Hillier and Morrison entered the water and pulled the officers and the witness back to safety. The Toronto Fire Services Recovery boat was launched and together with Marine Unit personnel pulled the boys from the water. One of the boys however succumbed at the scene. The other boy was transported to the hospital but within hours, he too had succumbed.


On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board I want to again extend congratulations to the winners and all of the nominees of the Police Officer of the Year Award. You play a crucial role in keeping the city safe.

LIFE-SAVERS IN THE TIME OF NEED

I have blogged before on the importance of Victim Services. Christina Blizzard's column in today's Toronto Sun puts a personal face on the important role that Victim Services plays in people's lives.

THE POLICE OFFICER OF THE MONTH AND YEAR AWARDS

Earlier this month I blogged about Constable Butt, one of the recipients of the Police Officer of the Month Award.

In the lead up to the Police Officer of the Year awards at the Toronto Board of Trade next week, I want to provide you with some background on the awards.

The Police Officer of the Month and Year Awards were initiated in 1967 by the Toronto Board of Trade young professionals. The purpose of the awards is to recognize officers of the Toronto Police Service who have made significant contributions to making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.

Each month, nominations to the program are initiated through the Awards Co-ordinator, Professional Standards Unit. A panel of judges comprised of members of the Toronto media and a young professional from the Board of Trade evaluate the nominations on an individual basis. Each judge ranks the nominations and then submits his/her recommendation back to the Awards Co-ordinator in the Professional Standards Unit, who gathers the results and determines the recipients of the Police Officer of the Month Award.

The nominees are judged according to the following criteria:

1. Bravery
2. Humanitarianism
3. Superior Investigative Work, and
4. Outstanding Police Skills.

The monthly winners are then re-evaluated by the same panel of judges and one individual is chosen to receive the Police Officer of the Year Award.

Here is the list of winners for 2007:

JANUARY
Sgt. COXON, Shawna (7551)
Diversity Management Unit

FEBRUARY
PC GILBERT, Ronald (6384)
Mounted Unit

PC McCARTHY, Kristopher (7519)
Mounted Unit

PC STAVRAKIS, Michael (99666)
Mounted Unit

MARCH
PC BUTT, Amir (9210)
31 Division

APRIL
D/Sgt. BOTT, Bryan (6653)
43 Division

PC SMITH, Hunter (5153)
32 Division

MAY
Sgt. RAMJATTAN, Rick (2360)
31 Division

JUNE
PC INGLEY, Paul (9065)
55 Division

PC HALL, John (4589)
55 Division

JULY
PC LINDLEY, Keith (8257)
Public Safety & Emergency Mgt.

AUGUST
PC FUJINO, Alan (4658)
33 Division

SEPTEMBER
Det. WHITE, Paul (2208)
14 Division

PC GREAVETTE, James (7095)
52 Division

OCTOBER
PC MacINNIS, Matthew (65662)
54 Division

PC WOJTKIEWICZ, Victor (8706)
54 Division

NOVEMBER
S/Insp. FERNANDES, Cyril (6807)
Forensic Identification Services

D/Sgt. KEYS, Roger (3691)
55 Division

Sgt. NOLAN, David (1904)
55 Division

DECEMBER
PC TAN, Mark (8954)
42 Division

PC ANDERSON, Jennifer (9237)
42 Division

PC HILLIER, Frederick (8929)
42 Division

PC MORRISON, Trevor (8904)
42 Division

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES

On Monday June 2, 2008, I am speaking at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual General Meeting in Quebec City.

I am joining Frank Beazley, Chief of the Halifax Regional Police and Gaétan Labbé, Chief of the Sherbrooke Police Service for what I am sure will be a lively discussion on equity and efficiency in policing. You will see from today’s Toronto Sun article that this issue is already garnering attention.

Here is a description of our session in the FCM conference agenda:

Policing is one of the fastest growing expenditures in municipalities across the country. In fact, municipalities are increasingly called upon to enforce laws and provide services that fall within federal jurisdiction, such as border control and cyber crime. The antiquated fiscal framework in which municipalities operate, along with the ad hoc regime that characterizes policing in Canada, means growing competition for scarce municipal resources, forcing local councils to balance competing resources. Using first-hand examples of the off-loading of federal policing responsibilities onto municipal stand-alone police forces, this panel will examine the structure and funding of policing in Canada, and how this has created systemic inefficiencies and inequities, and blurred accountabilities.

At the FCM conference, my TPSB colleague Councillor Pam McConnell, a member of the FCM Board, is chairing a session on Increasing Women’s Participation in Municipal Government. For those who know Councillor McConnell, you will know how important an issue this is to her and how hard she has worked to increase women’s role in government. I am sure that too will be a lively discussion.

Stay tuned for updates following the conference.

UPDATE: "CITY-BASED MEASURES TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE"

Here is a link to the province’s letter to the federal government.

"CITY-BASED MEASURES TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE"

The city is buzzing this morning with the new anti-gun measures that Mayor Miller discussed yesterday. These recommendations, in a staff report"City-Based Measures to Address Gun Violence", include a zoning bylaw to restrict the use of firing ranges to the police, military and provincial and federal governments and "prohibit establishments that manufacture, assemble,
warehouse and/or distribute guns."

I think this is a great start.

John Spears and Robert Benzie from the Toronto Star are also reporting that Ontario's Attorney General Chris Bentley and Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci wrote to their federal counterparts seeking cooperation on addressing the issue of gun violence. This time last year, I wrote to both the provincial and federal governments imploring them to take immediate action on gun violence in the City (Link). Given our experience with the federal government I am not optimistic that the action that the TPSB or the provincial government has requested will ever happen.

The Toronto Police Services Board has long supported a handgun ban. We will continue to work with the Service, our partners in the community and our allies in the government to make this important action a reality.

Here are today’s stories:
Toronto Star

National Post

Globe and Mail
Global News

OFFICER OF THE MONTH

The Toronto Police Service is filled with wonderful members. Members who, every day, go above and beyond the call of duty to help make Toronto one of the safest cities in the world. Every day, our Service members face life and death situations and, every day, our members are heroes.

As the Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, attending the Police Officer of the Month awards, and the Police Officer of the Year awards always fills me with great pride.

You may have read about Constable Butt, Police Officer of the Month for March 2007, in today’s Toronto Sun . I wanted to provide further details concerning Constable Butt’s actions in making Toronto safer.

Here is his story……

On March 28th, 2007, 911 received a frantic call from a woman who claimed that her sister was being attacked.

Constable Amir Butt responded to the call. He was met in the front lobby of the apartment building by a woman who told him that her sister was being attacked with a knife by her estranged husband. Constable Butt immediately went to the apartment where he saw a woman struggling with a man. The woman appeared to have been stabbed in the hand and the neck and was covered with blood. The suspect was poised to strike again as he had his hand raised in the air. Constable Butt ordered the man to drop the weapon but the man refused to obey. Instead, he began to attack the woman again with the knife. At this time, Constable Butt, fearing for the woman's life, drew his firearm and fired at the man who fell to the ground. Constable Butt called for back-up and while waiting for help to arrive he tended to the two of them. The woman was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Unfortunately the man succumbed to his injuries.


Of course, we are glad that these violent situations are relatively rare. But it is not rare for our members to make a lasting contribution to the well being of our residents and our City by going above and beyond the call of duty. We salute and thank them for their actions.

POLICE WEEK

I attended the kick-off of Police Week yesterday. This year’s theme is one that is very important to the Toronto Police Services Board, “Working with Today’s Youth to Build Safer Communities”.

Here are my remarks.

Mayor Miller, Chief Blair, Mr. William Mendes, honoured guests, members of the Toronto Police Service and members of the community:

On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to welcome you all here today to celebrate the kick-off to this year’s Police Week, an important May tradition for police and community members across the province. Police Week gives us an opportunity to increase community awareness and recognition of policing services. It is a time when people can come together to talk about and to take part in crime prevention in their communities.This year’s theme, “Working with Today’s Youth to Build Safer Communities”, is appropriate and timely.

For the Toronto Police Services Board, this is an incredibly important and relevant theme. Focusing on the youth of Toronto is a priority for us, and a very important component of our long-standing emphasis on community policing. And through policy and programming, we have demonstrated our commitment to this priority.

Our policy on community consultation requires that all divisional community police liaison committees and Chief’s consultative and advisory committees must include young people. I am pleased that the Board has readily provided funding for a newly established Chief’s Youth Advisory Committee.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work that Mr. Mendes has been doing to ensure meaningful participation of young people in the CPLCs. Thank you, William.

Besides ensuring youth involvement in community safety through its policies, the Board has also initiated important programming initiatives to enable young people throughout our communities and neighbourhoods to be active participants in building safe communities as well as to develop positive links with the police service.

In August 2005, the Board earmarked a minimum of $100,000 every year for five years to fund cooperative police-community initiatives toward the prevention of youth violence. The initiatives that we have funded so far are inspiring and demonstrate the importance of successful police-community relations.

The Board has also played a pivotal role in establishing an innovative summer employment program for young people from at-risk neighbourhoods. Created in 2006 in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, this program provides jobs for 100 youth every summer. I am delighted that the Ontario government has decided to fund this important program in perpetuity.

The Board not only directed that such a program be created, but worked closely and cooperatively with the police service to make it a reality.

Finally, I want to mention the Board’s Advisory Panel on Community Safety. Established to advise the Board on issues of community safety that it should act on or advocate for, it includes several young people as members.

Through initiatives such as these we can truly and concretely engage young people in maintaining and promoting community safety.This Police Week, with its focus on youth, is a tremendous opportunity to recognize that young people are a critical resource and a crucial partner in the important project of building a safe and healthy community.

Once again, on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I am pleased to bring best wishes for a successful Police Week.

Thank you.