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Public interest inquiry into racial profiling and discrimination by the Toronto Police Service

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Background

On November 30, 2017, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) announced that it launched a public interest inquiry into racial profiling and racial discrimination by the Toronto Police Service (TPS). Using its legislated inquiry powers under section 31 of Ontario’s Human Rights Code, the OHRC called for the TPS, the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) and the Special Investigations Unit to provide a wide range of data to determine exactly how and where racial profiling operates in law enforcement.

About the inquiry

The OHRC is inquiring into the practices and activities of the TPS between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2017, to assess whether they are consistent with racial profiling and racial discrimination against the Black community, including in the areas of:

  • Stop and questioning practices
  • Use of force
  • Arrests and charges, and forms and conditions of release for various offence categories, including:
    • simple drug possession
    • obstructing or assaulting a police officer
    • causing a disturbance
    • failing to comply with a bail condition (see Terms of Reference for complete list).

The OHRC is also examining the TPS and TPSB’s culture, training, policies, procedures and accountability mechanisms relating to racial profiling and racial discrimination.

Get involved

The OHRC is conducting research, retaining experts, consulting with key stakeholders, and receiving information from affected individuals, interested groups and organizations.

To participate, contact info@ohrc.on.ca or 416-314-4522.

Related resources

 

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