Toronto Police Services Board
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RONRTONTO TO TO P P O O D D L L R R IC IC A A E E O O S S B B ERVEIRCVESICES TORONTO POLICE SERVICE The Way Forward: Modernizing Community Safety in Toronto INTERIM REPORT JUNE 2016 Photo Credit: Toronto Police Service Photo Credit: Toronto Police Service. TORONTO POLICE SERVICE | THE WAY FORWARD: MODERNIZING COMMUNITY SAFETY IN TORONTO | INTERIM REPORT RONRTONTO TO TO P P O O D D L L R R IC IC A A E E O O S S B B ERVEIRCVESICES TORONTO POLICE SERVICE The Way Forward: Modernizing Community Safety in Toronto INTERIM REPORT JUNE 2016 TORONTO POLICE SERVICE | THE WAY FORWARD: MODERNIZING COMMUNITY SAFETY IN TORONTO | INTERIM REPORT TORONTO POLICE SERVICE Photo Credit: Toronto Police Service i TORONTO POLICE SERVICE | THE WAY FORWARD: MODERNIZING COMMUNITY SAFETY IN TORONTO | INTERIM REPORT MESSAGE FROM THE CO-CHAIRS The Transformational Task Force was created because we all recognize that the Toronto Police Service must keep pace with the TORONTO changing needs and expectations of our city. Building on our strengths and Divisions across the city and a dealing directly with our challeng- stronger approach to the man- es, this interim report describes agement of public funds, with a a new vision of a modern Toronto net budget reduction and savings Police Service. We envision that over the three next years. Service members will be where POLICE the public needs them the most, Our final report will delve into working in partnership with all these areas further and we will communities, and that the Ser- make final recommendations vice will continue to evolve in the where appropriate. We will also future to meet the complex needs be recommending an account- of a large city. able, transparent and very con- ANDY PRINGLE crete path forward – one that will The work of the Task Force is Chair, Toronto Police Service provide the people of Toronto with Board (Task Force Co-Chair) SERVICE forward-looking. While we are confidence that implementation is acknowledging, building on, and happening. incorporating the learnings from previous reviews, the scope of our Finally, although change on this work is very different. Our inter- im report proposes far-reaching scale will not be easy, it is also PHOTO changes to how policing services not something the Service can do are organized and delivered. The without a greater public align- recommendations touch on every ment. The process of getting aspect of the Service including feedback from the public and Ser- vice members, over the next sev- culture change, a new communi- MARK SAUNDERS ty-centred service delivery model, eral months, will be an important Chief, Toronto Police Service new investments in people and part of our alignment process. We (Task Force Co-Chair) technology, the reconfiguration of look forward to that dialogue. Photo Credit: Toronto Police Service TORONTO POLICE SERVICE | THE WAY FORWARD: MODERNIZING COMMUNITY SAFETY IN TORONTO | INTERIM REPORT i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Toronto is a large and complex city. It is vibrant and dynamic, with diverse multicultural and multiracial communities. As Toronto has grown and changed, the Toronto Police Service (“the Service”) has responded effec- tively in many areas and can be proud of its accomplishments. There have also been challenges In February 2016, the Task Force Goal 1 and mistakes, including programs began work on a plan to modern- such as the Toronto Anti-Violence ize the Service to ensure it can Be where the Intervention Strategy (TAVIS) keep pace with changing public ex- public needs the which, when implemented im- pectations. In this interim report, Service the most properly, impacted relationships we describe a community-centred and trust with a number of com- vision of excellence and leadership munities, as well as the Service’s that will provide the Service with Goal 2 reputation on a larger scale. a strong foundation, as well as 24 interim recommendations where Embrace The Transformational Task Force work can begin now. We will be partnerships to was created because the expecta- expanding on that foundation and create safe tions that our city has of its police making more recommendations communities service are continuing to change – in our final report, which will be fundamental expectations related completed at the end of December to accountability, collaboration and 2016, for presentation to the To- Goal 3 inclusiveness, greater openness ronto Police Services Board (“the and transparency of information Board”) in January. Focus on the and decision-making, as well as complex needs sustainability and affordability. Our vision is reflected in a new of a large city But also expectations that our community-centred service deliv- police service will be an effec- ery model with three goals: tive partner with all communi- We have an opportunity to rede- ties, including and especially with fine, revitalize, and modernize the marginalized communities, where Service to achieve a new level of Service members can have a posi- excellence and leadership. The tive impact on deeper challenges implementation of our interim rec- related to social inequality, poverty, ommendations, as well as those inequality of opportunity, discrimi- in our final report, will result in a nation, and systemic racism. strengthened and trusted police ii TORONTO POLICE SERVICE | THE WAY FORWARD: MODERNIZING COMMUNITY SAFETY IN TORONTO | INTERIM REPORT presence in our communities and and facilitate local strategies to keep neighbourhoods. The implementa- HOW WE RELATE individuals and communities safe. tion of our interim recommenda- 1 TO THE PUBLIC: tions will recognize the need for FOCUSING ON SAFE Through an investment in mobile multi-faceted local strategies and COMMUNITIES + smart technology, officers will solutions. NEIGHBOURHOODS work in their assigned neighbour- hoods every day, sometimes in The proposed service delivery cars, but also on foot and bikes. model represents unprecedented The centrepiece of the new service They will deliver services more change for the Service and our delivery model is a renewed, more flexibly from appropriate locations city. But successful implementa- integrated and intensified invest- – a school, a community centre, tion will require an equally unprec- ment in building safe communities or even on a park bench with a edented alignment of the public, and neighbourhoods, with officers person in need – and will be elected officials, members of the focused on local problem solving. accessible by phone, email, text Board, senior leadership of the messages, social media, and an Service, members of the Service, In this model, all officers will not enhanced Toronto Police Service and the collective bargaining only be protectors and guardians mobile application (app). agents – the Toronto Police As- of public safety, but also facilita- sociation, and the Senior Officers’ tors, problem solvers, and col- Consistent with the emphasis on Organization. All of us together laborative partners. They will be communities, we have heard the must choose to empower the Ser- known, valued, and trusted as concerns with TAVIS and are rec- vice to seize this opportunity. members of the community. They ommending it be disbanded and will have the skills, knowledge, its resources deployed to other Our roadmap for a modern experience, and emotional intelli- priorities. Toronto Police Service includes gence to build strong relationships major changes in five areas: Photo Credit: Toronto Police Service TORONTO POLICE SERVICE | THE WAY FORWARD: MODERNIZING COMMUNITY SAFETY IN TORONTO | INTERIM REPORT iii We are also recommending an HOW WE DELIVER overhaul of the Paid Duty system, SUSTAINABILITY + OUR SERVICES: with a risk-based model to en- AFFORDABILITY 2 sure that off-duty police officers 4 FROM PRIMARY TO are only utilized in a paid duty PRIORITY RESPONSE capacity where the skills, authori- ties and training of a police officer The modernized Service will dem- onstrate value and make the most To enable the Service to imple- are necessary. Related to this of every dollar. To date, the Task ment the new model and enhance recommendation, the Task Force Force has identified $100 million its presence in communities also strongly supports the City of in reductions and savings to the through neighbourhood officers, Toronto’s request to the Govern- Service’s operating budget over we are recommending a shift from ment of Ontario to allow it to cre- the next three years. This figure primary to priority response. This ate municipal traffic wardens. includes $60 million over the next shift will reduce the amount of three years, beginning in 2017, as time police officers spend re- a result of a carefully managed sponding to non-emergency calls ACCESS TO SERVICES moratorium on hiring, and promo- for service and situations that fall 3 tion between ranks for officers and within the mandates of other or- civilians. During this period, there ganizations. Based on an assess- will be some critical situations ment of risk, the Service will: The new service model includes a where the hiring or filling of vacant redesign of the current map of 17 positions may be necessary. This • Focus on dispatching officers where Divisions to better meet the needs moratorium will allow the Service an immediate response is necessary of our large complex city. This to ensure that it has the right type for personal safety, or where there is will include fewer Divisions, with and number of members for the an immediate investigative need. boundaries that better align with new service delivery model and Toronto’s 140 neighbourhoods and the leanest possible management • Provide enhanced options for the also with the planning and service structure. public to report non-emergency boundaries of city departments, situations, including on-line, through community-based organizations, The proposed reduction also smart devices, over-the-phone, by and agencies. Some staff will be includes $30 million in identified appointment at a police station, and redeployed to other priorities and savings through alternative service by employing civilian members to some management and supervi- delivery or shared services over follow up on certain non-emergency sory positions will be eliminated.