NCJ Number
44373
Date Published
1976
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF THE APPOINTED POLICE COMMISSION IN OVERSEEING THE OPERATIONS OF THE TORONTO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE COST OF POLICE PROTECTION IN METROPOLITAN TORONTO. THE BUDGET PREPARATION PROCESS IS TRACED, WITH REFERENCE TO INPUT BY THE POLICE COMMISSION AND THE ELECTED CITY COUNCIL. WEAKNESSES IN EACH STEP OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS ARE POINTED OUT. IT IS NOTED THAT INTERNAL FISCAL CONTROL, IN TERMS OF KNOWING WHICH POLICE PROGRAMS SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND WHICH CUT BACK, IS VERY POOR, AND THAT PUBLIC CONTROL, IN TERMS OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY, IS NONEXISTENT. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE QUALITY OF POLICING AND THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY IS CONSIDERED BRIEFLY. THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POLICE COMMISSION ARE EXAMINED IN DETAIL. REFORM PROPOSALS DEVELOPED IN OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE CITED, WITH REFERENCE TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPROVING CONDITIONS IN ONTARIO'S POLICE FORCES RESTS WITH THE PROVINCE, THE CITY COUNCIL, THE POLICE COMMISSION, AND THE POLICE CHIEF. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A STUDY OF POLICE OPERATIONS IN TORONTO BE CONDUCTED BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY, THAT THE POLICE COMMISSION'S BYLAWS AND REGULATIONS BE MADE PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD, THAT THE MAJORITY OF COMMISSION MEMBERS BE APPOINTED BY LOCAL COUNCILS RATHER THAN BY THE PROVINCE, THAT A LIMIT BE PLACED ON THE TERMS OF COMMISSIONERS, AND THAT THE POLICE COMMISSION BUDGET BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY LOCAL OR REGIONAL COUNCILS.