Faith Leaders Help Build Trust in Policing
Faith is not only a source of support for individuals in times of personal struggle, but it also provides strength and unity for communities facing hardship, said Toronto Police Service (TPS) Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue at the Canadian Black Clergies & Allies Prayer Breakfast on November 4.
“In communities affected by gun violence, we have seen the power of prayer walks, including how they can help build trust and restore a sense of safety and security,” she said.
Last month, Chief Myron Demkiw and Chaplain Wendell Gibbs were among many TPS and community members who took part in the annual Prayer Walk in 32 Division.
“I know many of you here today participated in a prayer walk in other parts of the city, side by side with our members and Divisional leaders,” Pogue said. “It was good to see some of you there, and many others representing different faiths and cultures across all 16 Divisional communities. In one of the most diverse cities in the world, it is essential to keep coming together and building bridges with each other.”
The TPS chaplains’ program is an integral and vital part of faith in the Service.
The chaplains reflect a diversity of faiths and backgrounds, combining for over 500 hours of volunteer service last year ministering to TPS members. The program plans to expand to more faiths including a First Nations Elder.
“We recognize that partnering with police may not always be a comfortable, convenient or a popular choice,” said Pogue. “We deeply appreciate you and your commitment to helping us be better. Improving trust in the Toronto Police Service continues to be one of our top priorities, and we reaffirm our commitment to listening and to working in partnership with all of you. And as we’re doing this work, we must continue to acknowledge the unique histories and experiences of Black communities in Toronto. Thank you again to the Canadian Black Clergies and Allies, and the collective effort of our faith leaders in helping to bridge the gap for greater unity in our Community.”
“This is a theme we have adopted for our community partnering endeavours. We are united in wanting the same for our city, for it to be safe. We want our city to be safe from gun violence and all violence, safe from hate and safe for everyone. So, let’s continue to build strong communities where people feel supported. And let’s continue to pray for law and order in our communities, for protection over our community members, for healing, and for the safety and protection of all Toronto Police Service members.”
The CBCA emerged in 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd murder in Minnesota.
“We want to bring peace and trust in policing,” said Bishop Ransford Jones. “We believe that a vibrant, balanced voice of the Black clergy and allies is important to change the temperature and improve relationships with law enforcement and our community."
Every month for the last two decades, Toronto Police Neighbourhood Officers in 23 Division and Black faith leaders have walked through Etobicoke, meeting community members and engaging them in prayer.
“We must continue to pray, to march together act together,” said Jones.
Since 2024, a Prayer Walk is held in every Division.
The Prayer Walk is an extension of the Etobicoke Strategy led by Reverends Carmen Lewis and Andrew King.
“When we started this walk 20 years ago, the young people ran away from the police when we walked into the Etobicoke community,” Lewis said. “They didn’t want to engage. Now two decades later, there has been just one homicide in 23 Division this year.”
