I believe that questions related to the policy, governance and oversight aspects of the policing of the G20 Summit are among some of the most important issues that the Toronto Police Services Board has faced in recent times. In order to better understand and address these issues, at our special Board meeting on July 6, 2010, we established the Independent Civilian Review of the Oversight of G20 Policing (ICR).
For the last two weeks the Board has been focussed on establishing a process for the ICR. In this time, we have spoken and received input from members of the public, stakeholders, elected officials and the senior command. At its upcoming meeting next week on Thursday, July 22nd, the Board will consider a report from me which elaborates further the process to be followed in getting to the ICR.
I am confident that the Board will have for its consideration the most reasoned and effective approach for the ICR to be done (July 16 release). In developing this process, we have paid attention especially to the importance of receiving suggestions from members of the community at the front end – and not after the fact.
The first task is the development of a set of clear and precise Terms of Reference. In order to do so, I am recommending that the Board engage a lawyer with expertise in policy and governance to work with the Board and interested members of the public. Once completed, the Terms of Reference will be provided to the Independent Civilian Reviewer, to be named in the future.
It will be expected that in writing the Terms of Reference, this person will take into consideration recommendations from members of the public. Accordingly, I encourage anyone interested in providing input into the Terms of Reference for the Independent Civilian Review to request to make a deputation at the Toronto Police Services Board meeting on Thursday July 22, 2010. Alternatively, people may forward a written submission to the Board. Any requests for deputations and written submissions must be forwarded by email to deirdre.williams@tpsb.ca.
The Board will not hear deputations with respect to personal experiences at the G20 Summit or deputations which may be complaints about the conduct of police. These are outside the Board’s statutory role.
Copies of the agenda for the July 22, 2010 meeting will be posted to http://www.tpsb.ca/ by Friday, July 16, 2010.
As we continue through this process I look forward to keeping you apprised and I look forward to your input at the July 22 meeting.
