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
Friday, June 6, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
UPDATE: "CITY-BASED MEASURES TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE"
Here is a link to the province’s letter to the federal government.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
"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
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
Friday, May 16, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
The cornerstone of our recruitment and retention program at the Toronto Police Service is to become the employer of choice for new recruits and people transferring from other services. In recognition of this, we have been named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and the inaugural winner of Ontario’s Psychologically Healthy Workplaces Award .
The Ontario Medical Association released this statement today. The remarks of the OMA's incoming President on the importance of paying urgent attention to recruitment and retention demonstrate how right we have been in giving priority to these areas in our human resources strategy.
The Ontario Medical Association released this statement today. The remarks of the OMA's incoming President on the importance of paying urgent attention to recruitment and retention demonstrate how right we have been in giving priority to these areas in our human resources strategy.
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