Toronto Police Service Board

*BOARD MEETS NEXT ON DECEMBER 12, 2024* The next scheduled meeting of the Board will take place on December 12, 2024 at 9M. It should be noted that the Board will commence in public at 9AM before moving in camera for its confidential meeting, which will now take place prior to attending to the held public agenda items.  It is estimated that the regular public meeting will resume at 1PM.   The agenda is available on the Board’s website at: https://lnkd.in/gwtxaVkj.   Members of the public who wish to make a deputation on an item included in the agenda may register using the regular process, at https://lnkd.in/ggsfBXF. In addition, members of the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting as an observer through our livestream at: https://lnkd.in/gsdctnMr Items of Interest at this Board meeting include:   2025 BUDGET REQUESTS The Board will hear a presentation and consider a number of reports regarding the Service’s 2025 budget requests and a report regarding the Board’s 2025 Operating Budget Request. In the report regarding the Service’s 2025 Operating Budget request, it is recommended that the Board approve the Service’s 2025 net operating budget request of $1,220.1 Million (M), a $46.2M or 3.9% increase over the 2024 approved budget. As the Chief’s report notes, the budget aims to strike “a balance between affordability and the critical need for the Service to maintain adequate and effective policing services for the City of Toronto.”   POLICE REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS – AUDIT The Board will consider a report from Dubi Kanengisser, Executive Director, regarding the 2023 implementation of police reform recommendations. The purpose of this report is to provide the Board with the 2023 Review of Implemented Recommendations – Police Reform, prepared by the Toronto Police Service’s Audit & Quality Assurance unit. It is noted that the findings of this report represent a high risk to the Service.   RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF SAMMY YATIM                       The Board will consider a report from Dubi Kanengisser, Executor Director, regarding the Board’s response to the jury recommendations from the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Sammy Yatim. The Board’s response has been prepared in consultation with the Board’s Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Panel (M.H.A.A.P.). The Board will also consider a report from Chief Demkiw regarding the inquest recommendations. As a result of the inquest, the jury made 63 recommendations, dealing with a variety of issues, such as officer training, monitoring, and accountability, peer intervention, and the availability of mental health supports for both police officers, and family members of those killed or seriously injured by police.                                                                      

✨ An Unforgettable Night at the 32nd ABLE Scholarship & Awards Gala ✨ Our Board had the distinct privilege of attending the sold-out Association of Black Law Enforcers - Association des agents de la paix Noirs (ABLE) 32nd Scholarship and Awards Gala! It was an evening filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and a heartfelt celebration of the incredible contributions of Black law enforcement professionals. We were especially honored to have our Vice-Chair, Lisa Kostakis, BSW, RSW, present a scholarship to the deserving Aiyana Thomas on behalf of the Board. Supporting ABLE's commitment to education, equity, and youth investment is a responsibility we deeply cherish. A special highlight of the evening was seeing our own Danielle Dowdy, Senior Advisor, Strategic Policy and Stakeholder Relations, receive the prestigious President's Award! Danielle’s dedication and leadership are invaluable to our office, and we were thrilled to see her recognized. Thank you, ABLE, for an unforgettable evening and for your vital work in empowering communities and fostering representation in law enforcement. Together, we’re building a future where equity and opportunity thrive. #ABLEGala2024 #CommunityEngagement #Scholarship #LawEnforcement #DiversityEquityInclusion

The City of Toronto and the Toronto Police Service launch the Make the Right Call Campaign! Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue announced the campaign launch yesterday at Police Headquarters. This collaborative public education campaign aims to demonstrate to residents how making the right call directs them to the appropriate emergency or non-emergency services. To help ensure you receive the appropriate assistance, it is important to know whether to reach 311, 211, 811, 911, or to file an online police report. -         Call 311 for City services and programs -         Call 211 for mental health supports -         Call 911 for all emergencies -         Call 811 for minor medical issues -         Call 416-808-2222 for non-emergency police matters Board Member Lily Cheng was present to support the launch, sharing that community safety calls for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond police response. The Board has championed this reimagining of what community safety means to the people of Toronto, incorporating the voices of the public, as well as other stakeholders. This multifaceted strategy promotes long-term safety, resilience, and well-being for all community members. Interested in learning more? Visit https://lnkd.in/eaR4UxqE

*BOARD'S NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS OCTOBER 8* The next scheduled meeting of the Toronto Police Service Board will take place on Tuesday October 8, 2024 at 9:00AM. Please note that the Board will commence in public at 9AM before moving in camera for its confidential meeting.  It is estimated that the regular public meeting will resume at 11:30AM.   The agenda is available on the Board’s website at: https://lnkd.in/gwtxaVkj.   Members of the public who wish to make a deputation on an item included in the agenda may register using the regular process, at https://lnkd.in/ggsfBXF. The request must be received no later than 12:00PM on Monday October 7, 2024.  The Board’s meeting will proceed as a hybrid meeting.  If you wish to sign up to make a deputation on an item, please use our Making a Deputation sign-up form: https://lnkd.in/ggsfBXF. Please note deputations on items not appearing on the agenda will not be accepted. In addition, members of the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting as an observer through our livestream at: https://lnkd.in/d4N6kT9q   Items of Interest at this Board meeting include:   PRESENTATION BY VICTIM SERVICES TORONTO The Board will hear a presentation by Carly Kalish, Executive Director, regarding the Victim Services Toronto program. The presentation will contains highlights of the work of the program over the past year. Victim Services Toronto provides immediate, confidential support for anyone who has experienced crime or sudden tragedy, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. As the presentation will note, over the past year, Victim Services Toronto served 18,032 victims. The presentation will also provide details about the program’s Annual Youth Symposium, and the Exit Route initiative, among others.   ANALYTICS PRESENTATION The Board will hear a presentation from Ian Williams, Director, Information Management, with respect to the Toronto Police Service’s Analytics Framework. The presentation will cover a number of areas, including calls for service attended, response times for calls attended, and community safety indicators (such as assaults, robberies and homicides) for the year to date.   KEEPING TORONTO SAFE FROM HATE The Board will consider correspondence from Paul Johnson, City Manager, City of Toronto, regarding the Keeping Toronto Safe from Hate Action Plan for the Board’s receipt. As the report notes, to support the well-being and safety of all, the City is taking proactive actions and leveraging tools within the City’s jurisdiction, capacity and resources to keep Toronto safe from hate. The action plan outlines key actions and responses the City is advancing under six pillars of activity.

*LAUNCH OF TORONTO POLICE SERVICE'S ANNUAL UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN* Yesterday, the Toronto Police Service launched its 2024 United Way Greater Toronto Campaign at Police Headquarters, marking the beginning of an important annual initiative. Last year, over $300,000 was raised to assist more than 300 agencies in the delivery of their services. The campaign serves as a key opportunity for the Service and the community to come together in support of United Way’s mission, which relies on the support of community volunteers and financial resources. Together, these efforts improve social conditions and meet urgent human needs of those in our neighbourhoods.   Dubi Kanengisser, PhD Executive Director of the Toronto Police Service Board (the Board), spoke of the shared values of the United Way and the Board, stating, “[t]he United Way knows well that when individuals are supported and our communities are healthy, our City prospers. We subscribe to this view as well.” He emphasized the crucial role that the United Way plays in fostering community well-being, and the value in collective action.   The Board applauds the continued and dedicated efforts of the United Way in changing lives and building stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods across the City.

*BOARD TO MEET ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12* Our next meeting will take place on Thursday September 12, 2024 at 9AM. ***The Board will move in camera shortly after commencing the meeting for consideration of confidential items, which will now take place PRIOR TO attending to the held public agenda items.  It is estimated that the regular public meeting will resume at approximately 11:30AM.*** The agenda is available on the Board’s website at: https://lnkd.in/gwtxaVkj Members of the public who wish to make a deputation on an item included in the agenda may register at https://lnkd.in/ggsfBXF. To sign up to make a deputation on an item, please use our Making a Deputation sign-up form: https://lnkd.in/gkzYVNS. Deputations on items not appearing on the agenda will not be accepted. In addition, members of the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting as an observer through our livestream at: https://lnkd.in/d4N6kT9q Items of Interest at this Board meeting include: TORONTO POLICE SERVICE MULTI-YEAR STAFFING PLAN The Board will hear a presentation and consider a report from Chief Demkiw outlining the 2025–2029 multi-year hiring scenarios that will inform the Service’s budget development process for 2025. This plan would support long-term financial and operational planning and create an opportunity for common understanding and alignment between the Board, the City and the Service in fulfilling their shared statutory mandate to ensure adequate and effective policing.    TORONTO POLICE SERVICE BOARD’S STRATEGIC PLAN The Board will hear a presentation, and consider a report from Executive Director Dubi Kanengisser, PhD regarding an update on the development the Board’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan builds on a solid foundation of previous work and decision-making by the Board and the Service that emphasizes accountability, transparency, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As the report outlines, the draft vision for the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is to "Be a Trusted Partner to Improve Community Safety and Well-being for All Toronto Communities."   9-1-1 CRISIS CALL DIVERSION PILOT EVALUATION The Board will consider a report from Chief Demkiw with respect to the 9-1-1 Crisis Call Diversion Pilot Completion and Evaluation. As the report outlines, this pilot offers 9-1-1 callers the opportunity to be connected to a crisis line, operated by a Gerstein Crisis Centre crisis worker, rather than police attending their location and responding to the situation. As the report notes, the Service engaged the Provincial Support Systems Program (P.S.S.P.) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to evaluate the pilot, resulting in this report. The P.S.S.P. was tasked with evaluating the pilot over a 27-month period, and used a combination of methods as part of it evaluation, which resulted in three significant takeaways.

Have you submitted your feedback on our new Public Order Policy yet? This policy includes the policing of protests, demonstrations, and occupations. We want to hear from you and/or your organization! Input from different voices and perspectives is key – please submit written, audio, or video feedback at https://lnkd.in/gAiNdpRs by August 30, 2024. Be heard and make a difference!

Did you know that the Board recently launched a public consultation on the development of a new Public Order Policy? This proposed policy will include a focus on demonstrations, protests, occupations, and other events where police presence is required to maintain public order. Have your say on how what you think should be included in this policy. You can submit your thoughts in either written, audio or video form at https://lnkd.in/gAiNdpRs. Please share widely - feedback in the development of this policy will help ensure we capture as many perspectives as possible! All submissions are due by August 30, 2024.

*BOARD TO MEET ON TUESDAY APRIL 30* The next meeting of the Toronto Police Service Board will take place on Tuesday April 30, 2024 at 9AM. The agenda is available on the Board’s website at: https://lnkd.in/gwtxaVkj.   Members of the public who wish to make a deputation on an item included in the agenda may register at https://lnkd.in/ggsfBXF. If you wish to sign up to make a deputation on an item, please use our Making a Deputation sign-up form: https://lnkd.in/ggsfBXF. It should be noted that deputations on items not appearing on the agenda will not be accepted. In addition, members of the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting as an observer through our livestream at: https://lnkd.in/gUErJYxh   Items of Interest at this Board meeting include: RACE AND IDENTITY-BASED DATA STRATEGY PRESENTATION The Board will hear a presentation and consider a report from Chief Demkiw containing an update on the progress in implementing Phase 2 of the Race and Identity-Based Data Collection (R.B.D.C.) Strategy. The report details the work to date in Phase 2, which launched in January 2023, and includes a significantly expanded scope by including several police interactions that diverse communities prioritized: arrests and arrest outcomes, mental health apprehensions, and youth diversions. COMMUNITY SAFETY AND POLICING ACT – COMPLIANCE UPDATE The Board will consider a report from Dubi Kanengisser, PhD, the Board’s Executive Director, regarding a compliance update for changes required by the new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (the Act), which came into force on April 1, 2024. This Act replaces the Police Services Act, 1990, as the legislation that governs police services and their boards in Ontario. As the report notes, the modernized Act includes a number of changes impacting the Board and its processes. BUDGET VARIANCE REPORTS The Board will consider a series of reports from Chief Demkiw and a report from the Board’s Executive Director Dubi Kanengisser regarding budget variance reports for 2023. The Service was dealing with a potential shortfall of $7.8M earlier in the year due to unbudgeted pressures, but through various mitigation efforts, it was able to significantly reduce this pressure by the end of the year. Despite these mitigation efforts, when also taking into consideration the overall health of the Service’s reserves, the total net expenditures were $1,168.3M, resulting in a year-end unfavourable variance of $1.8M. The report describes the significant unfavourable variance in the premium pay budget, in part, due to the need for increased staffing to deal with auto theft and carjackings, and the Service’s response to local events related to the conflict in the Middle East. A recording of this meeting will be posted and archived to the Toronto Police Service YouTube account at https://lnkd.in/e-XkfyEN.

*BOARD OFFICE HIRING FOR TWO POSITIONS* The Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) is seeking two dedicated professionals to fill permanent Analyst, Research and Evaluation positions. These roles provide a unique opportunity to drive transformational change and make a meaningful impact on Toronto s diverse communities. As integral members of our team, you'll play a key role in critically assessing the effectiveness of TPSB policies, examining their influence on Toronto's policing framework and contributing to the enhancement of public trust and service quality. The TPSB is the governing body responsible for setting objectives and priorities for police services in Toronto, and establishes governance frameworks, policies, and strategic monitoring & evaluation processes. As an Analyst, you'll employ advanced monitoring, research, and evaluation techniques to inform the Board's strategies, directly supporting the Toronto Police Service's (TPS) mission to foster a deeper trust in policing. Your work will be pivotal in bolstering accountability, transparency, and the quality of police service delivery in Toronto. What you will do: Joining the Board Office s Research & Governance Evaluation Team, you'll report to the Senior Advisor, Strategic Analysis & Governance. In this role you will: conduct independent research and comprehensive analysis, lead policy & literature reviews, and carry out impact and outcome assessments. Using a range of quantitative and qualitative data sources from the TPSB, TPS, community feedback, and other relevant sources, your insights will be crucial in providing evidence-based recommendations to the Board. These recommendations will assist in formulating and executing policies that reflect unique community needs and uphold the highest policing standards. This position is ideal for individuals who are keen on applying their analytical skills to support and influence positive changes in community safety and wellbeing in Toronto, and building public trust in policing. If you are committed to excellence in public service and wish to play a key role in shaping the future of policing in Toronto, we encourage you to apply. Join us in this rewarding journey to not only uphold but elevate the standards of policing in Toronto, ensuring our approaches are innovative, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse voices within our community. Your expertise and insights will be instrumental in driving our work forward. For more details, and to apply, go to: https://lnkd.in/gFTcGgwa under "Civilian Roles" Civilian External Posting Title:            Analyst, Research & Evaluation Job ID #:                   6839 Salary:                      $109,350 - $126,586   Location:                   Toronto Police Headquarters Department:              Toronto Police Services Board    Vacancies:                2 Opening Date:          Tuesday March 26, 2024 Must Apply By:         Friday April 12, 2024