New Anti-racism & Discrimination Agreement to be Approved for Toronto Police Service

TORONTO, March 21 /CNW/ - The Toronto Police Service (TPS), the Toronto

Police Services Board (TPSB), and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC)

have reached a milestone agreement to bring about institutional change in

combating racism and discrimination.

     Police Chief William Blair, Board Chair Alok Mukherjee, and Human Rights

Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall made the announcement together during

celebrations held today at Toronto Police Service headquarters marking

International Day for the Elimination of Racism.

     "This agreement is the first of its kind and shows that Toronto Police

Service is serious about addressing racism and discrimination", commented

Chief Commissioner Hall.

     The agreement, set out in a detailed Project Charter, establishes a joint

Working Group with representatives from the TPS, TPSB and OHRC who will

identify human rights issues, design response plans and direct initiatives, as

well as measure and report publicly on progress. Initiatives to eliminate

racism and other forms of discrimination are focusing on the employment

policies of the TPSB and the practices of the TPS in the provision of policing

services to the residents of the City of Toronto.

     "The Toronto Police Service has been making real progress over the last

year in the areas of human rights and delivering fair, equitable and bias-free

policing," said Chief Blair. "By signing this Project Charter, we will learn

from our past experiences and get guidance for the future delivery of policing

in Toronto."

     Alok Mukherjee, the Chair of the civilian Board that oversees the TPS,

stated, "There is no place for bias or discrimination, such as racial

profiling, in the way we serve the community and hire, promote and treat those

who work for us. The unique partnership expressed through this Charter will

help us strengthen our ongoing effort to identify and eliminate any

discriminatory practices, enhance the skills and knowledge of our employees

and make our workforce truly reflective of the city."

     Chief Commissioner Hall added, "This type of successful cooperation

benefits the broader community and is exactly what the Commission will focus

more on as we move forward under our new mandate. The agreement serves as a

model for other police services across the province to take up their

responsibility to address racism and discrimination with the same leadership

being demonstrated by Toronto Police Service."

     Nothing in the agreement prevents the OHRC from continuing to enforce

Ontario's Human Rights Code and seek public interest remedies in resolving

complaints filed against the TPS or TPSB.

     The agreement is being considered by the Toronto Police Services Board at

its monthly public meeting tomorrow March 22nd.