Virtual Public Meeting Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 9:00AM
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Virtual Public Meeting Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 9:00AM PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at 9:00AM Livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/n3k4_WKZhBQ The following draft Minutes of the meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board that was held virtually on March 23, 2021, are subject to approval at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Attendance: The following Members were present: Jim Hart, Chair Frances Nunziata, Councillor & Vice-Chair John Tory, Mayor & Member Marie Moliner, Member Michael Ford, Councillor & Member Lisa Kostakis, Member Ainsworth Morgan, Member The following individuals were also present: James Ramer, Interim Chief of Police, Toronto Police Service Ryan Teschner, Executive Director and Chief of Staff, Toronto Police Services Board Diana Achim, Board Administrator, Toronto Police Services Board Scott Nowoselski, Solicitor, City of Toronto – Legal Services Division Declarations: There were no declarations of interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. This is an Extract from the Minutes of the Virtual Public Meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board that was held on March 23, 2021 P2021-0323-0.1. Farewell Remarks Chair Hart made remarks to acknowledge the work and dedication of Board Member and former Vice-Chair Marie Moliner. Chair Hart said that Ms. Moliner became part of the Board as a provincial appointee in March 2012, “joining as an extremely impressive leader in the public and not-for-profit sectors,” working as a senior public servant, both federally and provincially. Re-appointed by the province for three-year terms in 2015, and again, in 2018, he said that Ms. Moliner “has brought a consistently powerful voice in the areas of transparency, governance and accountability. He further stated “your legacy will be to remind us that the community is, and must always remain, our motivation, our driving force, and our raison d’etre. For this, you have our sincere gratitude.” Mayor Tory, Vice-Chair Nunziata, Chief Ramer and Mr. Teschner also made remarks and thanked Ms. Moliner for her work on the Board. Chair Hart presented a token of appreciation to Ms. Moliner, on behalf of the Board and staff from the Office of the Board. Ms. Moliner made remarks regarding her work on the Board and thanked the Board, the Chief, the Service and the community. Chair Hart also made remarks to recognize the work and achievements of Deputy Chief Shawna Coxon and to congratulate her on her new role as the Deputy Commissioner for the An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s National Police and Security Service. Mayor Tory, Vice-Chair Nunziata and Chief Ramer also made remarks and thanked Deputy Chief Coxon for her tremendous work, dedication and service with the Toronto Police Service. Deputy Chief Coxon thanked the Service and the Board. This is an Extract from the Minutes of the Virtual Public Meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board that was held on March 23, 2021 P2021-0323-1.0. Board Minutes The Board approved the Minutes of the public virtual meeting that was held on February 25, 2021. Deputation: Derek Moran (written submission included) 2 The Board received the deputation and approved the Minutes. Moved by: F. Nunziata Seconded by: L. Kostakis This is an Extract from the Minutes of the Virtual Public Meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board that was held on March 23, 2021 P2021-0323-2.0. Presentation of Awards to Members of the Toronto Police Service Chair Hart introduced this item, congratulated and thanked the awards recipients. Chair Hart said that the Mental Health Excellence Awards recognize those who demonstrate excellence, compassion and respect in their interactions with members of the community who are experiencing mental illness. In addition, Chair Hart stated that the second award presentation is for the annual Robert Qualtrough Award, an award granted to those who demonstrate excellence and leadership in promoting police-community partnerships. He said that Robert Qualtrough was an extremely beloved and renowned police officer with the Toronto Police Service, who was particularly committed to working in partnership with the public to achieve community safety objectives. Chair Hart also acknowledged that the Qualtrough Family was attending this virtual presentation. Acting Staff Superintendent Chris Kirkpatrick made a presentation to the Board regarding the award recipients and read the profiles about the work that led to them being recognized. Deputation: Nicole Corrado(written submission only) P2021-0323-2.1. Annual Report – 2020 Mental Health Excellence Awards Granted by the Toronto Police Services Board The Board was in receipt of a report dated March 23, 2021 from Jim Hart, Chair. Recommendation: It is recommended that the Toronto Police Services Board (Board) receive this report. P2021-0323-2.2. Annual Report – 2020 Robert Qualtrough Award The Board was in receipt of a report dated March 29, 2021 from Jim Hart, Chair. 3 Recommendation: It is recommended that the Toronto Police Services Board (Board) receive this report. The Board received the presentation, the written deputation and the reports. Moved by: L. Kostakis Seconded by: F. Nunziata This is an Extract from the Minutes of the Virtual Public Meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board that was held on March 23, 2021 P2021-0323-3.0. Presentation Regarding the Toronto Police Gun and Gang Framework Acting Deputy Chief Myron Demkiw made a presentation to the Board and answered questions from Board Members, along with Inspector Shannon Dawson, Inspector Dave Ecklund and Detective Sergeant Scott Purches. A copy of the presentation is attached to this Minute. The presentation detailed the Service’s evolving strategy framework to addressing gun and gang violence. The strategy adopts a public health approach to gun and gang violence, emphasizes prevention and focused enforcement as needed, and commits the Service to enhancing its working partnerships with City of Toronto organizations and other agencies so that a community safety and well-being approach to gun and gang violence can be sustained. Chief Ramer thanked the team for its work and commitment to this important initiative. He stated that the Service holds itself accountable to the continued development and implementation of this framework. Deputations: Sarah Ali, BCCC Louis March, Zero Gun Violence Movement Paul Bailey, Black Health Alliance Chair Hart and Board Members thanked the deputants for their deputations. In response to a question from a deputant, Deputy Chief Demkiw advised that the Service “needs to hear all voices when it comes to this important work” and that the Service is committed to continuous improvement. He further advised that the Service is committed to working with Toronto Public Health and other key agencies to collaborate on a strategic approach regarding this framework and will come back before the Board to provide further updates. In response to a question from Vice-Chair Nunziata, Acting Deputy Chief Demkiw advised that the Service values the continuous commitment of the Board in working 4 collaboratively with the Service. With respect to a question about bail, he said that the Service is in communication with the Ministry of the Attorney General in an effort to find evidence-based proposals to assist Crown Attorneys when bail conditions are being drafted. He confirmed that this Strategy will drive enhanced coordination between the Service and all City-based, community and justice partners, and that as proposals may require engagement with other orders of government, the Service will outline its recommendations to the Board. Deputy Chief Demkiw said that the Service is accountable to the Board and the communities that it serves and that updates on this framework will be provided at future Board meetings. Board Member Lisa Kostakis advised that there are many agencies that work on similar issues and it would be beneficial to consolidate all efforts and communicate together regarding a way forward. Board Member Ainsworth Morgan asked if there is a timeline for this framework to be implemented, especially given that the summer is soon approaching and, with it, the challenges with increased gun and gang activity. Deputy Chief Demkiw said that many of the plans discussed today are already in progress for the summer and for those items not yet as far along, they will be actioned in the coming months. He confirmed that the Service is committed to moving forward on all of these initiatives. Inspector Dave Ecklund advised that the Service is moving towards a more strategic approach regarding the plan for the upcoming summer months. He said that the Service plans to be “more strategic, surgical and intelligence-led.” He also stated that the summer safety initiatives will be discussed and reviewed closely at each local Division, which will then submit their individual plans and approach to the Staff Superintendents, who will subsequently present it to the Chief and Command to ensure Service-wide strategic coordination and consistency. Mayor Tory thanked the Chief and the team for their excellent work and presentation regarding this framework. He provided the example of events that took place in Lawrence Heights and how members of that community, along with the police and others got together and formed a thorough plan “which showed that the community voice gives the guidance” as to what a plan should consist of and how it should be implemented. He also asked for an intensive, focused summer plan addressing gun and gang violence. The Board received the deputations, the presentation and framework. Moved by: F. Nunziata Seconded by: L. Kostakis This is an Extract from the Minutes of the Virtual Public Meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board that was held on March 23, 2021 P2021-0323-4.0. Presentation by Environics Regarding Public Engagement for the Chief of Police Selection Process 5 Mr. Ryan Teschner, Executive Director and Chief of Staff, introduced this item and outlined the two broad phases to the selection of a new chief of police, the first phase being the public engagement and consultations which Environics is conducting on behalf of the Board.