Simone Smith
An independent review of the Toronto police force’s handling of missing-person cases, found that “systemic discrimination” was the reasons that many investigations were not properly handled.
The review was completed with a mandate to examine how Toronto Police manage missing persons investigations in relation to vulnerable and marginalized individuals. The review, commissioned in September 2018 by the Toronto Police Services Board, was also tasked with making strategic recommendations on how to improve responses to missing persons cases.
A press conference was held today by the Honourable Gloria J. Epstein to review the findings and recommendations.
- The issues identified in the report include:
- A lack of communication within the police service
- A lack of communication between the force, the police board, and with the community
- Unnecessary amount of secrecy that undermined public trust.
The report exceeds 1000 pages in length, and the Toronto Police Association plans to carefully review it and subsequently provide its response to the report and to the recommendations contained therein.
“The Toronto Police Association will review the report and will be having ongoing dialogue with our members and the Toronto Police Service on how to address the recommendations put forward,” said Jon Reid, President of the Toronto Police Association. “What we know for certain is that Toronto Police officers are united in the goals of public safety, good policing and fostering improved relations with the LGBTQ2S+ communities and vulnerable communities,” said Reid.
Shortly after the press conference, The Toronto Police Service outlined their initial response to the report and announced the early adoption of a few key recommendations immediately.
A link to The Independent Civilian Review into Missing Persons can be found here: https://www.missingpersonsreview.ca/report-missing-and-missed
