Friday, May 23, 2014

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.