Governance
Equity and Inclusion Policy

Policy No: 04/11

Dates Approved: November 23, 2011

Dates Amended: September 20, 2017

Reporting Requirements: Annual Reporting

Legislative Authority: Ontario Human Rights Code; Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, and c.P.15, as amended. s. 31(1)

Related Board Policies: Accessibility Policy No. 01/13; Accessible Customer Service Policy No.04/09; Respect in the Workplace Policy No.02/10; Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Workplace Harassment Prevention No. AI-003. 

The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board (the “Board”) is committed to developing a police service that respects and adheres to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005.

The Board is committed to providing police services in a manner that is respectful, equitable, and inclusive and without discrimination and harassment because of age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status (including single status), gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation.

Further, the Board is committed to ensuring that all York Regional Police (“YRP”) members and volunteers work in an environment without discrimination and harassment as provided by law.

Further, the Board is committed to work toward a police service that is reflective of the communities it serves.

1.   Purpose

It is the policy of the Board that:

1.1  YRP procedures, practices and behaviours promote equitable and fair treatment of members of the public and members of YRP;

1.2  Discrimination and harassment against members of the public and members of YRP will not   be ignored, tolerated or condoned,

1.3  Practices that are discriminatory, as well as behaviours that underlie and reinforce such practices, will not be ignored, tolerated or condoned;

1.4  The Chief will develop a strategy and procedures which will aim to promote equity, inclusion and diversity across the organization and at all levels of leadership and which will aim to prevent discrimination and harassment in the delivery of its services to the public and in the workplace.

1.5  The strategy and procedures will cover, but are not limited to the following areas

  1. Service Delivery: Programs and services to the public will support diversity and inclusivity and are delivered in a manner that is fair, respectful and equitable.

  2. Employment Practices: Recruitment, selection, hiring and promotional practices comply with the objectives of inclusivity, equity and fairness. The workforce is reflective of the community it serves within all areas and levels of the organization.

  3. Communications: All communications reach and respond to the different needs of the diverse communities of York Region and are available in accessible formats upon request.

  4. Professional Development and Training: All YRP members are provided with the training and knowledge that is consistent with this policy and with the related legislative responsibility. Procedures and programs will reinforce and encourage positive professional practices and aim to protect human rights.

2.    Reporting Requirements

2.1  The Chief of Police will submit to the Board an annual report which will include the following: 

  1. The strategy to support this policy including performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of the strategy;  

  2. A synopsis of programs and initiatives, including training programs, developed and/ or administered to support this policy and qualitative and quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of each program; and

  3. Other mechanisms in place and relied on by the Chief to support the objectives in this policy.

2.2  The Chief will also submit to the Board annually the following:

      a.  The number of internal and public complaints related to discrimination and/or harassment

      b.  The grounds of discrimination or harassment upon which the complaints are based and;

      c.  The resolution to the complaints.

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