Toronto Police Services Board Community Contacts Policy: Community Satisfaction Survey – Request for Proposals

On April 24, 2014, the Toronto Police Services Board approved an innovative and wide-ranging policy on Community Contacts (also referred to as “street checks” or “carding”).  This policy provides a rights-based approach to police-community conversations with significant Board oversight and accountability mechanisms.  The policy, developed after extensive public consultation, can be viewed on the Board’s website, www.tpsb.ca.

A unique feature of the policy is the provision of a regular survey of community satisfaction to measure and determine the impact of the practices flowing from it on public trust and satisfaction with policing.  The Board will invite community-based organizations working with researchers who have expertise in Participatory Action Research (PAR) to carry out these surveys. The first such project will be a proposed survey in 31 Division.  The Board has allocated $75,000 from its Special Fund to fund this survey.

The Board invites proposals from community-based organizations to develop and carry out a survey to determine public satisfaction with police-community contacts in 31 Division during June-August 2014.    A link to the proposal document can be found by clicking here.

A public information session will be held on Tuesday May 27, 2014 from 4-5 PM, during which time Board members will be available to explain the initiative and answer questions.  The session will be held in the Auditorium, second floor, Toronto Police Headquarters, 40 College Street.

Special Board Meeting to Consider Policy on Community Contacts to be held on April 24, 2014

The Toronto Police Services Board has been reviewing the issue of “street checks” conducted by the police (also referred to as “carding” or community contacts) and has heard concerns raised by the community about racial profiling related to this practice.

On April 8, 2014, the Board held a special meeting to solicit input from the public on a draft policy on community contacts that had been developed by its counsel, Mr. Frank Addario.

The Board will hold an additional special meeting on Thursday April 24, 2014 at 6:00 PM, in the Auditorium at Police Headquarters, 40 College Street to consider a report from the Chair recommending approval of a final draft policy on community contacts. This report also includes information regarding the policy’s implementation and related expenditures.

The final draft policy, as well as the Board report, has now been posted on the Board’s website at www.tpsb.ca.

Members of the public who wish to make a deputation may contact Ms. Deirdre Williams at 416-808-8094 or, by email at deirdre.williams@tpsb.ca, no later than April 23, 2014 at 12:00 PM.

SPECIAL MEETING ON APRIL 8, 2014 - POLICY ON STREET CHECKS, CARDING AND COMMUNITY CONTACTS

At its meeting of November 18, 2013, the Board considered the issue of “street checks” conducted by the police (also referred to as “carding” or the provision of contact cards) and heard concerns raised by the community about this process. In particular, the Board agreed that the potential for racial profiling associated with this practice is a significant issue that demands urgent attention. As a result, the Board determined that it would develop a policy on street checks and carding. The Board has retained Mr. Frank Addario, a prominent lawyer with significant expertise in criminal and constitutional law, to assist in providing legal advice in the development of its policy and in charting a framework for moving forward. At the commencement of the Board’s public meeting of March 13, 2014, Mr. Addario made a detailed presentation on a draft policy to govern street checks, carding and community contacts. A copy of the draft policy and the legal opinion provided by Mr. Addario are available on the Board's  website.    The Board will be holding a special public meeting on the evening of Tuesday April 8, 2014, at 6:00 PM, in the Auditorium at Police Headquarters, 40 College Street, to solicit public input on the draft policy. Members of the public who wish to make a deputation should contact Ms. Deirdre Williams at 416-808-8094 or, by email at deirdre.williams@tpsb.ca, no later than April 7, 2014 at 4:00 PM for further information.  In addition, members of the public who wish to provide a written submission (either in addition to or instead of a deputation) may do so by contacting Ms. Williams.