Controversies and allegations of misconduct
A mandatory Coroner's Inquest took place into the police killing of 17-year-old Jeffrey Reodica. Although accounts differ, it is generally accepted that Reodica was part of a group of Filipino teenagers pursuing a group of white teenagers on May 21, 2004, following altercations between the two groups. Plainclothes Toronto police officer Det.-Const. Dan Belanger and his partner Det. Allen Love were in the process of arresting Reodica when he was shot by the officers, the teen died in hospital three days later. Belanger and his partner, Det. Allen Love, were eventually cleared by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) who accepted their story that Reodica lunged at them with a knife.[8]
In response to the recommendations of the Coroner's Inquest jury, Chief Blair recommended that all plainclothes police officers be issued arm bands and raid jackets bearing the word 'Police' in an effort to increase their visibility in critical situations. Unmarked cars, which are already equipped with a plug-in police light, will also be supplied with additional emergency equipment, including a siren package. The proposals will be phased in over three years beginning in 2008. Undercover officers will also have to wear, carry or have access to standard police use-of-force options such as pepper spray and batons.[9][10]
In 2004, eight people were shot by Toronto Police, and six of them died from their wounds. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigated each shooting, but found all of them to be justified.
In 2005, the police force was faced with a spike in shootings across Toronto and increased concern among residents. Police Chief William Blair and Mayor David Miller asked for additional resources and asked for diligence from residents to contend with this issue. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty promised to work with Toronto to fight crime.
In July 2007, Toronto Police were involved in an international incident in which their members pepper-sprayed, tasered, and handcuffed members of the Chilean national soccer team in an attempt to keep control of crowds after their semi-final match in the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. A police spokesman explained on CBC Radio on the programme Here and Now that police took action against individual members of the Chilean team when they "displayed aggressive behaviour" by vandalizing a bus and arguing with fans. The actions of the police were criticised by the TV and print media in Chile,[11][12] and initially also in Canada, but following a news conference and more detailed description of behaviour by the Chilean team the criticism (outside of Chile) was withdrawn. FIFA president Sepp Blatter later apologized to the Toronto mayor for the incident, and instigated disciplinary action against the officials and players of the Chilean team.[13]
References
1.^ http://voiceoftoronto.com/wp/2010/02/toronto%E2%80%99s-balanced-budget-protects-city-services-supports-residents-and-business/ Policing costs skyrocketing
2.^ http://www.russianbooks.org/crime/cph3.htm Toronto Police in 1834 - 1860 "Formidable Engines of Oppression"
3.^ a b http://www.russianbooks.org/crime/cph4.htm Toronto Police in the 1850s The Gangs of Toronto and the Call For Reform
4.^ http://www.russianbooks.org/crime/cph3.htm Toronto Police 1834 - 1860 "Formidable Engines of Oppression"
5.^ http://www.russianbooks.org/crime/cph5.htm Toronto Police in 1859 -1875 The Militarization of the Constables
6.^ http://www.russianbooks.org/crime/cph5a.htm Military-Intelligence Functions of the Toronto Police During the U.S. Civil War Era and the Fenian Threat
7.^ http://www.russianbooks.org/crime/cph6.htm History of the Toronto Police Part 4: 1875 - 1920
8.^ Police killed unarmed teen, family says
9.^ Jeffrey Michael Reodica Inquest Jury Recommendations, Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario
10.^ Toronto Police Services Board, Minutes of the Meeting of April 26, 2007, pages 85-90
11.^ Chilean soccer team involved in melee with police
12.^ La Nacion.cl
13.^ FIFA vows action after U-20 brawl
14.^ http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/communications/selection.php
15.^ "Reasons for Selection, 2009 Greater Toronto's Top Employers Competition". http://www.eluta.ca/top-employer-toronto-police-service.
16.^ [1]
17.^ Swainson, Gail (January 16, 2009). "Toronto police duo saddles up for Obama". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/world/uselection/article/572006--toronto-police-duo-saddles-up-for-obama. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
External links
Toronto Police Official Site
Toronto Police Services Board
History of Policing In Toronto
Toronto Police History
Toronto Police history 2
22 Division Toronto Police Service Rovers
Inquest into Jeffrey Reodica shooting begins