DATE:

 

20 September 2011

 

TO/DEST:

 

Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board

 

FROM/EXP:

 

Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service

 

SUBJECT/OBJET:

RESPONSE TO INQUIRY I-11-04: 

STATUS REPORT – RACIAL PROFILING PROJECT

 

 

RECOMMENDATION 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

BACKGROUND

 

As directed by the Ontario Human Rights Commission in a 2009 settlement, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) began looking at developing racial profiling materials, including an operational policy and training materials.  A draft policy was developed at that time by a team including members of the OPS, Professor David Tanovich, Academic Director of Windsor’s Law Enforcement Accountability Project (LEAP), the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and members of the community.

 

In January 2010, a draft policy was sent to the Ontario Human Rights Commission for review, input, and acceptance prior to wider community consultation.  The Ottawa Police Services Board hosted a discussion event on November 30, 2010 called “Let’s Chat About Racial Profiling” that provided an opportunity for the community to discuss the draft policy and issues around racial profiling.

 

Following that, consultation continued both internally and externally and a new version of the policy was presented to Executive Command on June 27, 2011 and approved.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The recently approved policy is intended to act as a guiding principle in recognizing that everyone has the right to live and work in an environment that is free of police action based on racial bias or racial profiling.

 

In preparing the policy, a commitment was made to ensuring the OPS response met the obligations of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) settlement; this included the development and implementation of the policy, a training approach, and materials on racial profiling for new members, current members and supervisors.

 

The OHRC has reviewed the policy and has indicated that it is at the leading edge of police efforts to combat and prevent racial profiling, and sets out standards that demonstrate the OPS’ commitment to delivering professional, unbiased police services.  Professor David Tanovich, LEAP, has also identified the Ottawa Police Service as being a leader in its approach to racial profiling.

 

The Ottawa Police recognizes the profound impact racial profiling has on not only those affected, but also the community at large, and is committed to training its members on this issue.  In the fall of 2011, the Ottawa Police will complete the current online racial profiling training of its members through its Professional Development Centre.

 

CONSULTATION

 

Research and consultation was undertaken with community partners to ensure their feedback was incorporated into the development of the racial profiling policy. The following chronology outlines the consultative steps that have been taken in the development of this policy as well as future plans for consultation:

 

·         In January, 2010, a draft policy and training materials were provided to the OHRC for their consideration.

 

·         On November 30, 2010, the Police Services Board held a “Let’s Chat” open forum/public consultation session racial profiling.

 

·         On June 27, 2011, the racial profiling policy as revised by input provided both internally and externally was approved by Executive Command.  Input was received internally from the Community Development Section, Diversity & Race Relations Section, Professional Development Centre, Policy Review and PACE Committees, Executive Team and Executive Command, and externally from the Ottawa Police Services Board, LEAP – Law Enforcement Accountability Project at the University of Windsor, Toronto Police Service, COMPAC, OACP Diversity Committee, OHRC and our community stakeholders.

 

·         In November 2011, a review of the new Racial Profiling Policy will begin with the involvement of OPS members along with the internal and external stakeholders mentioned above.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

 

Not applicable.

 

CONCLUSION

 

To date, over 886 sworn members have successfully completed the mandatory training as set out in the new policy.

 

The Professional Development Centre will continue to deliver training in the area of Racial Profiling to all new recruits, as well as all new and current civilian members.

 

The approved Racial Profiling policy has replaced the draft previously available at

http://ottawapolice.ca/en/Community/DiversityMatters/RacialProfiling.aspx.  The OPS Intranet has also been updated with the approved policy.

 

 

(Original signed by)

 

Vern White

Chief of Police