Item - 2016.DI8.4
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on April 19, 2016 and was adopted with amendments.
- See also EX15.21
DI8.4 - Request for Provincial Review of Special Investigations Unit Processes for Cases Involving Individuals Living with Mental Illness
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Disability, Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that:
1. City Council request the Premier, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to review the mandate, procedures and outcomes of the Special Investigations Unit with respect to the treatment of cases that involve individuals who are living with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis and those who live with communication differences and all other forms of disabilities under the Human Rights Code.
2. City Council request the Toronto Police Services Board to request the Chief of Police to give a presentation to the Disability, Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee on how the police are trained to interact with persons with disabilities.
Origin
Summary
City Council passed MM17.32 on April 1st, 2016 to request the Premier, the Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism and the new Anti-Racism Directorate, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to review with an anti-black racism and anti-racism lens the manner in which police services are provided within the City of Toronto; and the mandate, procedures and outcomes of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) with respect to the treatment of cases that involve victims from racialized communities.
While the summary of the motion speaks to mental health as a factor in many deaths involving Toronto Police Services, the motion does not specifically include a request for a review SIU investigations involving individuals who may have been living with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/di/bgrd/backgroundfile-92081.pdf
Motions
That the recommendation in the letter from Councillor Wong-Tam be adopted with the following amendments:
1. City Council request the Premier, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to review the mandate, procedures and outcomes of the Special Investigations Unit with respect to the treatment of cases that involve individuals who are living with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis and those who live with disabilities that may be mistaken for alcohol or drug intoxication.
That Tom Proszowski's Motion be amended to read as follows:
1. City Council request the Premier, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to review the mandate, procedures and outcomes of the Special Investigations Unit with respect to the treatment of cases that involve individuals who are living with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis and those who live with communication differences and all other forms of disabilities under the Human Rights Code.
That the Executive Committee recommend that:
1. City Council request the Toronto Police Services Board to request the Chief of Police to give a presentation to the Disability, Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee on how the police are trained to interact with persons with disabilities.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Apr-19-2016
Result: Carried | Majority Required |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 12 | Members that voted Yes are Yin Brown, Darren Cooper, Martin Courcelles, Joe Knapper, Terri-Lynn Langdon, Mike Layton, Rahima Mulla, Tracy Odell, Stephanie Ozorio, Wendy Porch, Tom Proszowski, Kristyn Wong-Tam (Chair) |
Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Karma Burkhar, Shelley Carroll, Victoria Warner |