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The Sammy Yatim effect

A breakdown by theme of where Toronto police stand in implementing former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci’s recommendations from his July 2014 report [PDF] on police protocols for dealing with people in crisis. 

Police culture Toronto Police Services should make a formal statement on how police will relate to people with mental health issues. 

• The force now has an eight-point statement on its website that touches on its commitment to “preserving every life,” de-escalating encounters with people in crisis, eliminating stereotypes and stigmas and working collaboratively with mental health organizations.

Recruitment Toronto police should require new constables to complete a Mental Health First Aid course. 

• TPS has stated that this recommendation will be tabled at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Constable Selection Committee, because other police services are not required to do the same. 

Training The 20-week recruit training period should be increased. 

• Starting in August 2015, Toronto police increased post-Ontario Police College recruit training by three weeks. New training includes anti-bias and “client-oriented” education on fair and impartial policing.

Mental health of police personnel Police should provide mandatory annual and periodic visits with a psychologist for all officers. 

• TPS has launched a pilot project for psychological services for early-career officers in two divisions but says it doesn’t have the budget to hire more psychologists to expand the program. TPS has also undertaken programs to encourage officers to seek voluntary counselling. 

Use of force TPS should supplement its Use of Force Procedure with best practices from the Ontario Use of Force Model, the United Nations and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. 

• Toronto police say they regularly review and update all procedures to incorporate latest best practices. date the provincially mandated Use Of Force Report, which was last updated in 2004.

Equipment TPS should advocate for an interprovincial study on the medical effects of using conducted energy weapons (also known as tasers) on different groups of people. 

• Toronto police have not implemented this recommendation, stating that the force “remains satisfied that the current medical research has found no persuasive evidence of risk to vulnerable persons.” Iacobucci also recommended that all officers with CEWs be required to wear body cameras for effective monitoring. TPS is currently conducting a pilot project that requires “some supervisors” equipped with CEWs to wear body cameras. Currently, 184 officers and 275 front-line supervisors are equipped with CEWs. About 100 officers from 43 and 55 Divisions, Traffic Services and TAVIS Rapid Response Teams are taking part in the one-year body camera pilot project.

See our cover story, Sammy Yatim: Gone in 60 Seconds, here.

michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas

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