I have received feedback, from different audiences, on my op ed in yesterday's Toronto Star.
Could it be that the much needed public policy dicussion on the suspension of police officers with pay has started?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
PRESSING NEED FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION
My op ed on the suspension of police officers with pay appeared in today's Toronto Star.
There is a pressing need for public discussion on this significant public policy issue. It is my hope that through the op ed and my previous blogs we will be able to engage both the public and the legislators in a fruitful discussion that ultimately leads to much needed amendments to the Police Services Act.
There is a pressing need for public discussion on this significant public policy issue. It is my hope that through the op ed and my previous blogs we will be able to engage both the public and the legislators in a fruitful discussion that ultimately leads to much needed amendments to the Police Services Act.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Much Needed Amendments to the Police Services Act
You may have read today’s editorial in the Toronto Star regarding the issue of suspension with pay for police officers. I blogged about this in February and was pleased to see this issue finally starting to get the mainstream attention that it so rightly deserves.
Let me explain.
Under the Police Services Act, a police officer cannot be suspended without pay unless s/he is convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
I understand the philosophical reason that the Act is so restrictive. I do not, however, understand why this provision needs to be so broad in scope that an officer cannot be suspended without pay even when charged with the most serious acts and why the protection applies even when the officer's action occurred off the job.
For police services boards, who are responsible for policy regarding policing, including that related to the employment of police officers and who have responsibility to seek legislative changes to the Police Services Act, this is a very serious issue.
Last year, the Toronto Police Services Board yet again wrote to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services recommending that subsection 67(1) of the Act be amended to allow police officers to be suspended without pay in certain limited circumstances. The issue has been raised with all political parties in the last two years, during hearings by the Ontario Legislature's Standing Committee on Justice Policy related to amendments to the Act.
The Ontario Association of Police Service Boards and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police also want these necessary amendments to the Act to reflect today's societal expectations of police conduct.
The only groups that vehemently support the continuation of suspension with pay under all circumstances are the Toronto Police Association and the Police Association of Ontario.
It is time that the Police Services Act is amended to allow for suspension without pay in certain circumstances. Perhaps increased public attention and the resulting pressure on legislators will be what it takes to finally get the required amendments.
Let me explain.
Under the Police Services Act, a police officer cannot be suspended without pay unless s/he is convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
I understand the philosophical reason that the Act is so restrictive. I do not, however, understand why this provision needs to be so broad in scope that an officer cannot be suspended without pay even when charged with the most serious acts and why the protection applies even when the officer's action occurred off the job.
For police services boards, who are responsible for policy regarding policing, including that related to the employment of police officers and who have responsibility to seek legislative changes to the Police Services Act, this is a very serious issue.
Last year, the Toronto Police Services Board yet again wrote to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services recommending that subsection 67(1) of the Act be amended to allow police officers to be suspended without pay in certain limited circumstances. The issue has been raised with all political parties in the last two years, during hearings by the Ontario Legislature's Standing Committee on Justice Policy related to amendments to the Act.
The Ontario Association of Police Service Boards and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police also want these necessary amendments to the Act to reflect today's societal expectations of police conduct.
The only groups that vehemently support the continuation of suspension with pay under all circumstances are the Toronto Police Association and the Police Association of Ontario.
It is time that the Police Services Act is amended to allow for suspension without pay in certain circumstances. Perhaps increased public attention and the resulting pressure on legislators will be what it takes to finally get the required amendments.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
CONGRATULATIONS to the women of the Toronto Police Service who are helping build Habitat for Humanity houses for deserving Toronto families.
Members of the Toronto Police Service donate thousands of volunteer hours to various worthy causes. The Habitat for Humanity project is one of the finest examples of the ways in which our members - in this case, women -are making a tremendous contribution to improving the quality of life in our community.
Here is their story and a story that appeared in the Toronto Sun last month.
Female cops unite for Humanity
By Sharon Lem , SUN MEDIA
Move over Mike Holmes.
More than 350 women from Toronto Police Services are going to don hard hats and flex their muscles to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Scarborough.
So far, female police officers and civilian police personnel have raised more than $100,000 toward the $1.2-million project building 10 houses in the Lawrence Ave. E.-Manse Rd. area this fall.
"I've been with the Toronto Police for over 20 years and we've done a lot of fundraising before, but what makes this really special is I've never seen a movement by women of Toronto Police," Det.-Sgt. Kim Scanlan, of the Sex Crimes Unit, said.
Scanlan said the women rallied together because they all see the value of giving deserving families a roof over their heads and a safe and decent place to live.
"Women at Toronto Police have been the driving force to planning all of these fund-raising events. Since April we've had over 10 different events including bake sales and car washes," Scanlan said.
Yesterday, Scanlan helped to organize a wine and cheese party, art sale and a silent auction.
The non-profit Habitat for Humanity movement began in 1976 and expanded to Canada in 1985. It follows a basic concept that people in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers to build simple houses.
For information on Habitat for Humanity, call 416-755-7353.
Members of the Toronto Police Service donate thousands of volunteer hours to various worthy causes. The Habitat for Humanity project is one of the finest examples of the ways in which our members - in this case, women -are making a tremendous contribution to improving the quality of life in our community.
Here is their story and a story that appeared in the Toronto Sun last month.
Female cops unite for Humanity
By Sharon Lem , SUN MEDIA
Move over Mike Holmes.
More than 350 women from Toronto Police Services are going to don hard hats and flex their muscles to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Scarborough.
So far, female police officers and civilian police personnel have raised more than $100,000 toward the $1.2-million project building 10 houses in the Lawrence Ave. E.-Manse Rd. area this fall.
"I've been with the Toronto Police for over 20 years and we've done a lot of fundraising before, but what makes this really special is I've never seen a movement by women of Toronto Police," Det.-Sgt. Kim Scanlan, of the Sex Crimes Unit, said.
Scanlan said the women rallied together because they all see the value of giving deserving families a roof over their heads and a safe and decent place to live.
"Women at Toronto Police have been the driving force to planning all of these fund-raising events. Since April we've had over 10 different events including bake sales and car washes," Scanlan said.
Yesterday, Scanlan helped to organize a wine and cheese party, art sale and a silent auction.
The non-profit Habitat for Humanity movement began in 1976 and expanded to Canada in 1985. It follows a basic concept that people in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers to build simple houses.
For information on Habitat for Humanity, call 416-755-7353.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
GUNS BY THE NUMBER
I have spent the weekend thinking about numbers as they relate to guns in this city and what can be done to decrease those numbers. Here are the numbers:
Total number of firearms seized in 2007 by the Toronto Police Service was 2603.
• 817 of these firearms were identified as crime guns.
• 368 of these crime guns had their origins proven, of those
• 190 (51.5% of the 368) were proven to be smuggled into Canada.
• 178 (48.5% of the 368) were domestically sourced
Last Thursday, Chief Bill Blair spoke to the Toronto Police Services Board on the issue of guns in the City. You may have seen some of the media stories here and here.
No one can deny that we have a gun problem in the City of Toronto. I have blogged on the issue numerous times. It is an issue that the Toronto Police Services Board cares deeply about. It is an issue that needs to be addressed head on.
How can we address it?
WITH A HANDGUN BAN.
A handgun ban is something that the TPSB, the Mayor , Ontario’s Attorney General, Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Premier of Ontario have all called for.
And yesterday, June 23, the Toronto City Council overwhelmingly approved a strategy to keep guns out of our community. Read about it here, here and here.
It is time for our political leaders, particularly those in Ottawa, to step up to the plate and work towards a handgun ban.
While a handgun ban alone is not the solution, it is an extremely necessary part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the horrific effects of gun crime.
Every worthwhile endeavour needs a starting point. The starting point for Toronto is a ban on handguns.
Total number of firearms seized in 2007 by the Toronto Police Service was 2603.
• 817 of these firearms were identified as crime guns.
• 368 of these crime guns had their origins proven, of those
• 190 (51.5% of the 368) were proven to be smuggled into Canada.
• 178 (48.5% of the 368) were domestically sourced
Last Thursday, Chief Bill Blair spoke to the Toronto Police Services Board on the issue of guns in the City. You may have seen some of the media stories here and here.
No one can deny that we have a gun problem in the City of Toronto. I have blogged on the issue numerous times. It is an issue that the Toronto Police Services Board cares deeply about. It is an issue that needs to be addressed head on.
How can we address it?
WITH A HANDGUN BAN.
A handgun ban is something that the TPSB, the Mayor , Ontario’s Attorney General, Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Premier of Ontario have all called for.
And yesterday, June 23, the Toronto City Council overwhelmingly approved a strategy to keep guns out of our community. Read about it here, here and here.
It is time for our political leaders, particularly those in Ottawa, to step up to the plate and work towards a handgun ban.
While a handgun ban alone is not the solution, it is an extremely necessary part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the horrific effects of gun crime.
Every worthwhile endeavour needs a starting point. The starting point for Toronto is a ban on handguns.
Friday, June 13, 2008
OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD
GUEST BLOGGER - JUDI COHEN, MEMBER OF THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOARD
Last night I had the honour of representing the Toronto Police Services Board at the Officer of the Year Award event. This award, created by the Toronto Board of Trade, recognizes Toronto Police Service officers who have significantly contributed to making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world. This year, there were 23 officers nominated .
As I mentioned in my remarks last night, the men and women who work for the Toronto Police Service are an impressive group. The Service is a world leader in law enforcement, garnering international attention and accolades for its dedicated members and its innovative approach to community policing.
This year, we honoured 23 officers for their part in making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.
These officers embody the Service’s Core Values, principles that the Service holds paramount and, in so doing, they serve as heroes to Service members and community members alike.
Each nominee has a remarkable story. Each one demonstrates ethical conduct, professionalism, dedication and bravery of the highest degree. Each one went beyond the call of duty and performed impressively and admirably. These officers are our heroes, each one of them.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to congratulate this year’s winners - Police Constables Mark Tan, Jennifer Anderson, Frederick Hillier & Trevor Morrison.
You may have read about these officers in the media last December. Here is their story:
On December 10th, 2006 a three-tiered emergency response was initiated at a large water reservoir. Several youths were playing soccer in the vicinity of the reservoir. At this time, one of the boys was standing on the ice for several moments before the thin ice gave way and he was submerged into the frigid water. Three of the boys ran to get help, while another boy proceeded onto the ice in an attempt to rescue his friend. He was able to reach the location, grabbed the victim’s hands and attempted to lift him from the water. The thin ice gave way and the second boy also was engulfed in the water. The sequence of events had been witnessed by a man who quickly grabbed an extension cord from his garage, jumped into his vehicle and drove to the footpath on the east side of the reservoir. Upon arrival he ran to the side of the boys but could only see one boy in the water. He threw the extension cord to the boy but he was unable to grasp the cord due to the onset of hypothermia.
At this time, police units arrived on scene. Constable Mark Tan removed his equipment belt and jacket and immediately entered the water to assist the boys. Constable Jennifer Anderson also entered the water however she was still wearing her equipment belt and jacket. Constables Frederick Hillier and Trevor Morrison stood in the shallow part of the water to assist the other officers. Constable Tan and the witness walked onto the ice and immediately fell through into the frigid waters. They soon realized they could stand on the bottom and began breaking the ice around them in order to walk out to where the victim was floating. Unaware that within a few metres of the shore line there was an abrupt drop, Constables Tan, Anderson and the witness became completely submerged in the water. Constables Hillier and Morrison entered the water and pulled the officers and the witness back to safety. The Toronto Fire Services Recovery boat was launched and together with Marine Unit personnel pulled the boys from the water. One of the boys however succumbed at the scene. The other boy was transported to the hospital but within hours, he too had succumbed.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board I want to again extend congratulations to the winners and all of the nominees of the Police Officer of the Year Award. You play a crucial role in keeping the city safe.
This year, we honoured 23 officers for their part in making Toronto one of the safest cities in the world.
These officers embody the Service’s Core Values, principles that the Service holds paramount and, in so doing, they serve as heroes to Service members and community members alike.
Each nominee has a remarkable story. Each one demonstrates ethical conduct, professionalism, dedication and bravery of the highest degree. Each one went beyond the call of duty and performed impressively and admirably. These officers are our heroes, each one of them.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, I want to congratulate this year’s winners - Police Constables Mark Tan, Jennifer Anderson, Frederick Hillier & Trevor Morrison.
You may have read about these officers in the media last December. Here is their story:
On December 10th, 2006 a three-tiered emergency response was initiated at a large water reservoir. Several youths were playing soccer in the vicinity of the reservoir. At this time, one of the boys was standing on the ice for several moments before the thin ice gave way and he was submerged into the frigid water. Three of the boys ran to get help, while another boy proceeded onto the ice in an attempt to rescue his friend. He was able to reach the location, grabbed the victim’s hands and attempted to lift him from the water. The thin ice gave way and the second boy also was engulfed in the water. The sequence of events had been witnessed by a man who quickly grabbed an extension cord from his garage, jumped into his vehicle and drove to the footpath on the east side of the reservoir. Upon arrival he ran to the side of the boys but could only see one boy in the water. He threw the extension cord to the boy but he was unable to grasp the cord due to the onset of hypothermia.
At this time, police units arrived on scene. Constable Mark Tan removed his equipment belt and jacket and immediately entered the water to assist the boys. Constable Jennifer Anderson also entered the water however she was still wearing her equipment belt and jacket. Constables Frederick Hillier and Trevor Morrison stood in the shallow part of the water to assist the other officers. Constable Tan and the witness walked onto the ice and immediately fell through into the frigid waters. They soon realized they could stand on the bottom and began breaking the ice around them in order to walk out to where the victim was floating. Unaware that within a few metres of the shore line there was an abrupt drop, Constables Tan, Anderson and the witness became completely submerged in the water. Constables Hillier and Morrison entered the water and pulled the officers and the witness back to safety. The Toronto Fire Services Recovery boat was launched and together with Marine Unit personnel pulled the boys from the water. One of the boys however succumbed at the scene. The other boy was transported to the hospital but within hours, he too had succumbed.
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board I want to again extend congratulations to the winners and all of the nominees of the Police Officer of the Year Award. You play a crucial role in keeping the city safe.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
LIFE-SAVERS IN THE TIME OF NEED
I have blogged before on the importance of Victim Services. Christina Blizzard's column in today's Toronto Sun puts a personal face on the important role that Victim Services plays in people's lives.
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