On January 14, 2025, Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program, presented a deputation before the Toronto Police Service Board, the civilian oversight body of the Toronto Police, on a proposed “critical points” policy.
A Board policy on critical points reflects a key recommendation made by the Independent Review into the G20 Summit (2012) and the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations (2021), which scrutinized major Toronto Police operations. Both reviews recommended that the Board play a more proactive oversight and policy role with respect to certain types of policing operations known as “critical points”, such as large-scale event policing and operations that are likely to have a material impact on the Service’s relationship with, and service to, marginalized communities.
The CCLA recommended the draft policy be strengthened by expressly reflecting the Board’s responsibility to assess whether policies governing the Toronto Police are adequate when a critical point is raised, and if necessary, to create new policies which apply to policing operations. The CCLA’s proposed amendment was adopted with the unanimous support of the Board. The amendment ensures that recommendations by prior reviews that the Board proactively consider and exercise its policy-making role are unambiguously implemented.
You can watch our deputation below.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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