The Toronto Police Service is preparing its members for a “difficult” week as it prepares to publish on Wednesday the results of a report focusing on race-based data related to the use of force and searches.
A separate report on discrimination and harassment within the force will also be published on Wednesday.
Although the contents of the reports have not yet been made public, an internal TPS note sent on Saturday and obtained by CP24 warns service members that “many of these findings will be difficult to hear.”
According to the note, the report’s findings “reaffirm the existence of systemic racism and harassment within our service.”
The note warns that June 15 will be a challenging day for members due to the release of the findings.
“That day, and the following weeks, will be a challenge as we share and discuss the extent to which systemic racism has led to a differentiated treatment of racial groups by our service,” the note reads. “It will be difficult for you, our members, as it will lead some people to question the hard work you do every day.”
THE HEAD IS EXPECTED TO APOLOGIZE
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer is expected to apologize Wednesday as police release the findings, CTV News has learned.
No details were released about the report ahead of a 10:30 a.m. press conference, where Ramer will answer questions.
The report follows a 2019 directive from the Ontario government, in accordance with the Anti-Racism Act of 2017, that the provincial police forces are beginning to collect race-based data in cases of use of reportable force.
The policy was aimed at combating systemic racism in the police.
The Toronto Police Service began collecting race-based data in January 2020 and took the extra step of gathering information about naked searches in addition to incidents of use of force.
Although the results of the report are not yet public, advocates have long called for a change in the way police interact with people of color, particularly black and indigenous minorities.
Recent years have also seen a public awakening to race and policing, fueled by a number of prominent cases in the United States, such as George Floyd, as well as cases here in the GTA, such as Dafonte. Miller.
A separate note sent Tuesday reminds members of the force that resources will be available to help process the material and better relate to the community.
“The reason this job is important is simple: effective policing is based on trust, and that trust depends on all people in the city being treated equally, with dignity and respect,” the last note reads. .