OIPRD revises Terms of Reference for use of force review

TORONTO, April 20, 2015 /CNW/ - The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) has revised and expanded the Terms of Reference for its systemic review of use of force, lethal use of force, de-escalation techniques and approaches in dealing with people with mental health issues, emotionally disturbed people and people in distress.

"While the original review focused on the Toronto Police Service, in order to ensure my recommendations have relevance more broadly to policing across the province, I have revised and expanded the Terms of Reference to extend to police services throughout Ontario. The review will focus more intently on the extent to which recommendations made in the past have been implemented. It will also examine the relationship between Ontario Police College training and training by police services; the content and use of "use of force reports"; and the interplay between government, mental health agencies and police services in addressing the needs of persons in distress, while protecting the public."
– Gerry McNeilly, Independent Police Review Director

Since announcing the systemic review in February 2014, the OIPRD has reviewed written submissions from interested parties solicited when the systemic review was announced. The OIPRD has also examined the evidence and the jury's recommendations from the Coroner's Inquest into the deaths of Reyal Jardine-Douglas, Sylvia Klibingaitis and Michael Eligon, along with a number of earlier Coroner's Inquests, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci's report, "Police Encounters with People in Crisis," and other related reviews and reports. In addition, the OIPRD has also consulted with both police and community stakeholders to discuss the issues identified in the original Terms of Reference, with a goal of better focussing the systemic review and avoiding duplication of the important work that has already been done.

The Director is currently analyzing evidence collected from complaint investigations and high-profile use of force incidents, and will continue to consult with a wide range of public interest organizations and police services to advance the expanded review.

During the course of the review, the Director may release interim reports. A final report summarizing the findings of the review and outlining recommendations and advice for the overall improvement of police practices will be released to the public.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The systemic review will examine the following:

• Training provided by the Ontario Police College and police services in Ontario for deployment of use of force generally, and specifically regarding the application of the principles related to Ontario's use of force model and guidelines.
• Police service and Ontario Police College officer training related to dealing with persons in distress.
• The relationship between, and consistency of, Ontario Police College training and ongoing police services training of officers as they relate to use of force, equipment – including conducted energy weapons – officer supervision and oversight, de-escalation, crisis negotiation, barricaded suspects and approaches in dealing with persons in distress.
• The interplay between government, mental health agencies and police services in addressing the needs of persons in distress while protecting the public.
• Accountability and leadership in training and supervising officers dealing with persons in distress.
• Policies, procedures and practices of police services in Ontario as they relate to use of force, equipment – including conducted energy weapons – officer supervision and oversight, de-escalation, crisis negotiation, barricaded suspects and approaches in dealing with persons in distress.
• Content and use made of Use of Force Reports and the relationship of such reports to accountability and training, as well as the adequacy of Regulation 926, section 14.5 of the Police Services Act.
• Policies, procedures, practices and records of police services in implementing recommendations coming out of the public complaint system, Coroner's inquests and other reviews related to police interaction with persons in distress.

OIPRD FACTS

• The OIPRD receives, manages and oversees all public complaints against the police in Ontario. This includes Ontario's municipal and regional police services and the Ontario Provincial Police.
• The Police Services Act gives the Independent Police Review Director the power to examine and review issues of a systemic nature that are the subject of, or that give rise to, public complaints. It also allows the Director to make recommendations regarding these issues to Ontario's Solicitor General, Attorney General, chiefs of police, police services boards and other persons or organizations, in order to enhance public confidence and trust in police and policing.
• Read the original Terms of Reference for the use of force systemic review announced in February 2014.

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SOURCE Office of the Independent Police Review Director

Rosemary Parker, 416-314-4517, www.oiprd.on.ca