Policing the TTC: Update from the Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board
Prior to the meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board on Thursday April 17, 2008, there had been media reports that the TTC was considering arming its Special Constables with Tasers. I would like to share with you details of how the TPSB has responded to this matter.
At its meeting last Thursday, the Board considered annual reports on Special Constables from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and the University of Toronto (U of T). Media reports about the TTC possibly providing Tasers to its Special Constables led Board members to ask many critical questions of representatives from the TTC Special Constable program. At the end, members of the Board wondered whether the TTC had the legal right to even engage in such decision-making.
Ultimately, the Board approved a motion that I brought forward, that the Chief present a report as soon as possible on the adequate and effective policing of public transit and public housing within the meaning and scope of the Police Services Act, and that the Board use this report to initiate a public discussion.
The motion reflects the Board’s concern about the proliferation in our city of different forms of policing, or multi-tiered policing as it is called.
All of it is paid for by the same public. However, only one form of it, that is, the police service, is covered by the Police Services Act, governed by an oversight body, and required to meet important standards of training, accountability and discipline.
I hope that the report the Board has requested from Chief Blair will result in a very vigorous and thoughtful public discussion of the kind of public police we want in our community. The time to have that discussion is now, before different approaches to policing have crept upon us and it is too late to do anything about it.
