Data & Maps

Information is a key corporate asset along with people, property and finances; it is vital for optimal functioning of our organization. Examples of our information include records such as crime reports, calls for service and employee records.

A comprehensive information strategy is important for effective decision making processes and also to ensure compliance with existing legislation. This strategy will ensure that all information assets, regardless of format, are accounted for and managed according to established rules and legislation. Further, the strategy will facilitate the flow of information while ensuring confidentiality, privacy and security are upheld. We maintain information according to human rights, privacy, public safety and law enforcement legislation, including information that is collected for investigative and administrative purposes.

Following this principle, information is considered as a strategic asset required for providing public safety services in the City of Toronto.

Toronto Police Service must continue to manage information as an essential component of business operations and legislative requirements. Responsible record-keeping assists in demonstrating how services and programs are conducted.

TPS recognizes that information policies, standards and procedures, along with appropriate technology and business processes, need to be coordinated and managed effectively. Our accountability practices in regards to the Information Strategy will be held by a senior leader who will ensure that teams are assigned to manage these key areas. Through coordinated leadership and accountability, we are committed to continuing our adherence to legislative requirements and ensure that TPS manages its information resources effectively and ethically.

We collect information for legislative purposes as well as for human rights considerations. Part of our accountability will include public reporting on this information. For example, preparing and publishing the annual and quarterly reports prescribed by TPSB Policy in relation to the Police Services Act, Ontario Regulation 58/16 - Collection of Identifying Information in Certain Circumstances – Prohibition and Duties.

The protection of personal and confidential information is of great importance to us.

Reasonable physical, technical and administrative measures are and will continue to be in place to ensure our adherence to information privacy legislation and security processes. Regarding these critical requirements, the Service utilizes policies that guide members’ appropriate use of information, and provide training and awareness to inform the organization about important considerations and technology. These measures help to ensure the security of information and while supporting availability to those who require it for their respective roles.

Trust and confidence in the Toronto Police Service is supported through the release of meaningful and useful data to members of the public and the Service.

To demonstrate our commitment to open and transparent governance, it is critical to develop a comprehensive information management strategy that will minimize the risk of sensitive information being accessed or released, while simultaneously balancing the need to keep information available for business and community needs.

Appropriate availability of information involves constant innovation and the creation of a shared vocabulary to ensure that key terminology meets business, technical and community needs. All information should be clearly understood and documented while supported by associated training and awareness. In today’s digital environment, much of this information exists in the form of data that can be designed for openness and transparency, with consideration given to relevant governance.

A notable part of our commitment to open information is providing access to analytical tools for our business users and the community, allowing for the understanding and use of the information with reasonable analytical capabilities.

This will be achieved through the use of analytical and reporting tools such as dashboards, scorecards, and metrics of organizational effectiveness, information policy management and clear role definitions.

Information quality must be measured and managed by incorporating quality control processes throughout the organization. Information should be valued and perceived as reliable for use in decision making by members of the organization and members of the public. The Service will continue to develop measures to ensure information management practices support decision making with integrity, accountability and transparency to deliver desired business outcomes.

For members of the public and TPS, our ability to provide reliable and accurate information is important. TPS does and will continue to apply processes such as ensuring quality data entry for crime reports as well as other electronic records. Both people and technology based approaches are required to ensure data is entered accurately and that quality is appropriately managed for the organization.