Conference Engages Community Members
Haroon Khan understands the vital role that police consultative committees play in strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and local communities.
For the past 36 years, he has collaborated with Toronto Police to help build trust, resolve conflicts and address community issues proactively.
“It started when I learned about a course Toronto Police had put on for volunteers and I did it,” said Khan, who is now part of the South & West Asian Consultative Committee. “Shortly afterwards, a friend told me that the Service engaged with communities through various outreach programs and that is how I became involved.”
Khan, joined many Toronto police volunteers at the Community Police Consultative conference on November 15 at the Toronto Police College to learn more about new policing initiatives through seminars and breakout sessions.
He urged young people to join police consultative committees to help build mutual trust and credibility between community members and law enforcement.
“They can make a significant impact for themselves, their communities and law enforcement,” he said. “It is a direct way to contribute to your community and society.”
He said the police may seek guidance or mediation from these trusted committee members, knowing they can provide context, insight and perspective that helps de-escalate or resolve a situation.
Hosted by the Community Partnerships & Engagement Unit, the conference was designed to provide community consultants with information, resources and support to assist with ongoing efforts to enrich neighbourhoods.
For police to truly serve and protect communities, the lines of dialogue must remain open, Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said at the event.
“That is why your contributions to our Community Police Consultative Committees, our Community Police Liaison Committee and the Chief’s Youth Advisory Committee are so important,” she said. “Your input on training, recruitment, professional standards and officer engagement not only helps us improve but helps us identify blind spots. The goal of this conference is to strengthen relations that we have built and continue learning from one another. It is also an opportunity to engage with experts from across major fields and deepen the conversations that shape how we work. These interactions are vital to our community safety and well being.”
Superintendent Anthony Paoletta thanked the consultative members for their contributions.
“Your dedication and your energy are inspiring and absolutely essential for community policing initiatives,” the CPEU Commander said. “You build strong relationships with our members and the communities we serve and your efforts to improve community safety and well being in Toronto are appreciated. Your engagement here today is not just important, but vital. It empowers us to share ideas to work together towards safer neighbourhoods…The spirt of collaboration is what makes our consultative committees thrive and what drives success of all our initiatives across the service.”
Speaking on behalf of the Toronto Police Service Board, Deputy Mayor Amber Morley said the partnership is a key element of the community-based policing model that the Service is committed to.
The conference’s theme was ‘Crime Analysis: An Examination of Crime Prevention & Reduction Strategies.’
“This theme speaks directly to the importance of data-informed decision making and public safety,” said Morley. “It is about understanding the patterns, the root causes and the opportunities for intervention so that we can work smarter and more collaboratively to stop crime before it happens.”
She acknowledged the CPC members dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment to community safety.
“You have shown what it means to truly include the voice of the public and the work of policing,” she added.
Learn more about volunteering with the Toronto Police Service.
