Community Participation in Missing and Missed Implementation Team
In 2018, on the recommendation of a diverse community-led working group, the Toronto Police Services Board commissioned an independent review to evaluate how the Toronto Police Service has conducted, and is conducting, missing person investigations, particularly in relation to LGBTQ2S+ and vulnerable or marginalized communities.
The Honourable Gloria J. Epstein was appointed to lead the review and to make recommendations to promote efficient, effective and bias-free investigations and better police relations with the affected communities. For almost three years, the review team engaged with, and collected feedback from, community stakeholders and members of the public through written submissions and town halls.
On April 13, 2021, the comprehensive Report of the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations titled ‘Missing and Missed’ was completed. Visit missingpersonsreview.ca for more information.
Justice Epstein made 151 recommendations to improve police policies, procedures, training, and culture. The recommendations also seek to restore public confidence in the Toronto Police Service, and to continue to build bridges with members of all the communities we serve.
Three of the recommendations called for the creation of an implementation team comprised of a diverse group of community representatives and TPS members. This team will be responsible for developing an implementation plan and reporting on progress. The team’s community members should be representative of the diversity of Toronto’s communities, with appropriate attention given to the LGBTQ2S+ and marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Members should ideally include individuals who have already acquired knowledge of the issues identified in the report, either as members of the advisory group that recommended the review and drafted its Terms of Reference, or as members of the review’s Community Advisory Group.
Chief James Ramer accepted the Review’s findings and committed to acting on each one of the recommendations with the help of those most affected by this report.
“We are committed to acting quickly to effectively implement the report’s recommendations and collaborating with our affected communities is an essential part of the process,” Chief Ramer said. “I encourage community members to consider applying to the team, as these engagement efforts will affect how successful we are in making the necessary repairs to community trust in the police. Through this process, we will work hard to understand and remove the barriers that exist between us.”
Led by TPS Acting Staff Superintendent Pauline Gray and Interim Community Co-Chair Charles Payette, the MMIT will meet monthly beginning in July, 2021, to consult on the development of the implementation plan and monitor progress. All recommendations are expected to be implemented by December 31, 2023, at which time the work of the MMIT will be complete.
Community members wishing to apply to join the MMIT must be residents of Toronto and are asked to complete an application form outlining their interest and experience. Those who have LGBTQ2S+ lived experiences with the issues outlined in Justice Epstein’s review are encouraged to apply to be part of the implementation process.
The application deadline is Friday, June 25, 2021.
Community members can apply by using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MMIT_Application_Questionnaire or by printing this formand emailing to [email protected]
Applicants will be short-listed and may be asked to participate in an interview. The final selections will be made by June 30, 2021.
If you require an application in another format or need further information, please contact: Inspector Michael Perreault at [email protected] or 416-808-0111.
