Board Meeting Highlights - April 22, 2020

MOMENT OF SILENCE

The Board held a moment of silence for the victims and their families of the tragedy in Nova Scotia including RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson who was killed in the line of duty.

Retiring Badge Presentation to Chief Jolliffe

After 40 years of service, Chief Eric Jolliffe will be retiring on April 30, 2020. Chief Jolliffe has served the citizens of York Region as its Chief for 10 years, starting his career with York Region at #1 District on January 1981. His accomplishments are numerous and he has helped forge many supportive partnerships with our many communities and vulnerable residents. He has lead numerous capital projects and initiatives over the course of his career including the development of District police stations in Vaughan, Markham, Georgina and Richmond Hill and the training facility in East Gwillimbury, police headquarters in Aurora, the new Marine Facility in Georgina and the substations across the Region. He has received numerous awards, accolades and recognitions and in recent years has brought York Regional Police to be recognized as a top employer. His exceptional ability to serve with strength, intelligence, humility and respect has led the Service in keeping citizens safe and secure and has left a profound mark on this Region which will resonate well into the future.

2019 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 2019 statistics for York Regional Police (“YRP”) show a 15.2 percent increase in the number of Use of Force reports from 2018 to 2019.  Some of the figures in the report are:

  • 242 use-of-force incidents 
  • Firearms were pointed at a person 284 times in 2019 compared with 222 times in 2018
  • 44.3 percent of use of force incidents occurred on a roadway and 64.7 percent occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
  • 22.8 percent decrease in the reported use of conducted energy weapons from 2018 to 2019.

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. 

2019 Crime Statistics

The overall crime rate in York Region increased by 4.8 percent in 2019.  The property crime rate increased by 10.0 percent, and the violent crime rate increased by 5.4 percent.  Robbery violations increased by 4.3 percent, and the rate of sexual violations increased by 17.6 percent in 2019.  Decreases were seen in weapons violations, drug violations and other federal violations and the clearance rate had a decline of 3.7 percent.  Although the overall crime rate has been increasing in the last few years, York Region still remains one of the safest communities in Canada.  

Report on Ontario Regulation 58/16: Collection of Identifying Information in Certain Circumstances (Street Checks)

The Chief submitted a report to the Board pursuant to Board Policy and Ontario Regulation 58/16: Collection of Identifying Information in Certain Circumstances – Prohibition and Duties which prohibits police officers from arbitrarily stopping and requesting identifying information from members of the public. The Chief is required to report annually on compliance with the Regulation. There was a total of 14 submissions made to the Street Check Module in 2019; only five submissions were determined to be street checks in accordance with the regulation.   

2019 Hate Crime in York Region

A report was submitted to the Board on hate crime statistics and strategies for addressing and preventing incidents of hate crime in York Region. In2019, hate crimes in York Region increased by 8.1 percent over 2018. Of the 133 hate-motivated crimes which were reported to police, the factors include:

  • Religion which accounted for 57 overall incidents, including 40 cases targeting members of the Jewish community, and 11 targeting members of the Muslim community.
  • Race/Ethnicity which accounted for 56 incidents;
  • Sexual Orientation which accounted for 17 incidents;
  • Gender accounted for 3 incidents

Donations to York Regional Police

In 2019, York Regional Police received over $281,000 in public donations and was comprised of cash donation. Donations to YRP have assisted in funding police programs and equipment and have assisted organizations like the Community Safety Village, Police Appreciation Night, Cops for Cancer and Holiday Heroes.

Next Police Services Board Meeting

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 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  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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