Board Meeting Highlights - April 17, 2019

2018 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.  A report is also required when a conducted energy weapon is unholstered and displayed in the demonstrated force presence mode, pointed or discharged at a person, or when physical force is used causing injury which requires medical attention.  The report is submitted to an internal review committee and to the Chief of Police.

The 2018 statistics for York Regional Police (“YRP”) show a decrease of 4.27 percent in the number of Use of Force reports from 2017 to 2018.  Some of the figures in the report are:

  • 210 use-of-force incidents  
  • Firearms were pointed at a person 222 times in 2018 compared with 206 times in 2017
  • 42.5 percent of use of force incidents occurred on a roadway and 60.5 percent occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
  • 29.5 percent increase in the reported use of conducted energy weapons from 2017 to 2018.

The YRP Training and Education Bureau monitors information provided by the internal review committee in order to adapt practical skills training where required. This is often conducted through firearms skills, defensive tactics and scenario-based training exercises that emphasize de-escalation and communication. 2018 Use of Force Report 

2018 Crime Statistics

The overall crime rate in York Region increased by 7.9 percent in 2018.  The property crime rate increased by 6.6 percent, and the violent crime rate increased by 14.2 percent.  Robbery violations decreased by 2.2 percent, and the rate of sexual violations increased by 7.2 percent in 2018 with 40 more reported cases than in the previous year.  Decreases include hate crime occurrences which went down by 10.2 percent from the previous year.  Although the overall crime rate has been increasing in the last few years, York Region still remains one of the safest communities in Canada.  For a full copy of the report including crime rates by municipality, please view the 2018 Crime Statistical report.

Annual Report on Equity and Inclusion Strategy

The Board Policy on Equity and Inclusion requires that the Chief develop a strategy and procedures which aim to promote equity, inclusion and diversity across York Regional Police 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.  Some of the components of the YRP strategy include:

  • Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace: Civility and Respect

The objective of this initiative is to create an organizational culture that supports a psychologically healthy workplace free from stigma, harassment and discrimination where managers support a psychologically safe and healthy workplace, act effectively when an employee shows signs of distress and where employees are accountable for their actions toward each other.

Project Vanguard

  • This initiative is examining equity and inclusion through the lens of gender. Project members are examining recruiting, retention and professional development systems and processes. A report and recommendations based on this research is expected in May 2019.

York Regional Police has also amended its harassment policy to include explicit language prohibiting stigmatizing behaviours or comments intended to demean or discriminate against those suffering from mental health issues.

Next Police Services Board Meeting

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.  Location: Committee Room A, York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket.

Contact:  Mafalda Avellino, Executive Director, psb@yrp.ca  or 1-877-464-9675 ext. 77906.

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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