Board Meeting Highlights - April 14, 2021
2020 Use of Force Report
The Use of Force Report is a province-wide standardized method of collecting information from individual police services on use of force incidents. When an officer uses a use of force option in the course of his or her duties including when a firearm is drawn in the presence of a member of the public, pointed at a person, when a firearm is discharged, or when any other weapon is used by a police officer, a Use of Force report must be completed. The report is submitted to an internal review committee and to the Chief of Police. As of January 1, 2020, under the Anti-Racism Act, police services are now required to collect data on the perceived race of those subjects involved in use of force incidents. Police services in Ontario are mandated to complete province-wide standardized Use of Force Reports electronically, for Ministry collection.
Eradicating Racism and Strengthening Public Trust and Confidence in Policing
The Board received the report on Eradicating Racism and Strengthening Public Trust and Confidence in Policing in response to community feedback and stakeholder submissions. In July 2020, the Board held a virtual meeting with leaders and representatives of the Black community at which they received 51 proposed actions and recommendations. The Chief provided a report to the Board with his responses to the recommendations. The Board is committed to receiving ongoing updates on the implementation of the recommendations.
2020 Hate Crime in York Region
A report on Hate Crime was submitted to the Board which includes hate crime statistics and strategies for addressing and preventing incidents of hate crime in York Region. In 2020, hate crimes in York Region increased between January to December 2020. Of the 160 hate-motivated crimes which were reported to police, the factors include:
- Religion which accounted for 38 overall incidents;
- Race/Ethnicity which accounted for 89 incidents;
- Sexual Orientation which accounted for 22 incidents;
- Gender accounted for 3 incidents.
Recognition of Former Board Member
The Board thanked Mr. Cooper for his dedicated and committed service to the Board and to the citizens of York Region. Mr. Cooper was appointed to the Board by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in January 2019 and has supported the Board’s mandate and demonstrated his commitment to police governance and community safety.
As a member of the Board, he has been involved in significant board decisions, including the budget approval processes and was a member of the collective bargaining team.
Next Regular Meeting of the Police Services Board
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. and will be live-streamed on YouTube. Further instructions on the broadcast will be posted on the Board website.
Contact: Mafalda Avellino, Executive Director, psb@yrp.ca.
The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board is a seven-member civilian Board that oversees and governs the York Regional Police and is comprised of one member as Head of Municipal Council; three members are appointed by resolution of Regional Council and three by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request.
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