2020 RBDC Findings Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

  • What is the purpose behind this work? Why is Toronto Police collecting this data?
  • Why is this work important?
  • Why did the Service look at the enforcement action population as a comparison for use-of-force and the arrest population as a comparison for strip searches, instead of the general population?
  • What are some important facts we should know?

RBDC Analysis Framework

  • What is Systemic Racism?
  • Are there legal requirements for TPS to collect, analyze and report race-based data?
  • Why is TPS collecting officer perception of a person’s race?
  • How can you be sure that the data is entered properly and accurately?
  • What if the officer’s perceived race is different from how someone self-identifies?
  • What is a racial disparity? What is a disproportionality?

Engaging Communities and Members of the Service

  • Have communities been a part of the process?
  • How have Indigenous members of communities been engaged?
  • Will communities continue to be engaged and involved in the Strategy?
  • How were front line officers engaged in the process?

Analyzing and Reporting Data

  • Who analyzed the data?
  • What were the major considerations when analyzing the data?
  • How is the analysis an accurate reflection of policing since the majority of police interactions are reactive and driven by 911 calls for service?
  • Are recent operational changes reflected in the analysis (e.g. changes to Strip Search procedures in 2020)?
  • Are you comparing outcomes to the resident population or will you take into account who police interact with in order to understand differences by race?
  • What was done to address the data limitations in the first phase of this strategy?
  • How do the findings of this report compare to other police services in Ontario? Is everyone doing the same analysis?
  • Will the Service report all findings, not just negative ones but also results that show areas where we may be doing well?
  • Will this analysis be continued for years to come?

Use of Force

  • Why is firearm pointed considered as serious as firearm discharged?
  • When is an officer required to submit a Use of Force Report?
  • For this analysis, what types of force were analyzed and how were they categorized?
  • What is a Use of Force Report?
  • What are the main findings of the Phase 1 of data analysis on use-of-force?
  • By how many times were Black, East/Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern and Latino people were overrepresented in reported use-of-force incidents compared to their presence in enforcement action?
  • Among those who experienced a use-of-force in 2020, which race experienced the highest types of force?
  • How often are police officers in Toronto using force against people?
  • Which calls for service were most often associated with a use-of-force?

Strip Searches

  • How many people were strip searched in 2020?
  • What are the different types / levels of searches?
  • What are the main findings of the 2020 data analysis on strip searches?
  • What changes took place to strip search policy and procedures?
  • How much did strip search rates drop following changes in policy and procedures?
  • How much were disparities reduced as a result of the update to the Search of Person Procedure?

What's Next?

  • What solutions will the TPS be putting forward to improve upon these findings?
  • How will the public know what changes are being made and if they are working?
  • What are the “other interactions” that will be included in Phase 2?

Protecting Privacy and Data Access

  • How is TPS protecting personal privacy and confidentiality of individuals about whom the data is collected?
  • Is TPS using race and identity-based data to identify individual officers?
  • How is TPS analyzing the data it collects under this Strategy?
  • Who has oversight over the data and how it will be protected and used?
  • Will the public have access to race and identity-based data?

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