DESI FORUM
WHEN A COP FACES DISCRIMINATION
Representative image. Image credit: JEAN GREGOIRE on Unsplash.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), Peel Regional Police (PRP) and Peel Police Services Board (PPSB) announced the development of initial recommendations to help address systemic racism and discrimination in Peel Regional Police.
The work is a result of collaborative and dedicated work between PRP and OHRC beginning in 2020, to develop and implement strategies to identify and address systemic racism in policing.
The recommendations are based on leading practices for dismantling systemic discrimination within institutions, and feedback received from community members during consultations with Peel residents in 2022 and early 2023.
The recommendations have been shared with PRP’s community-led Anti-Racism Advisory Committee (ARAC) for input to ensure that they are impactful and will lead to better outcomes for everyone in Peel Region.
After ARAC’s input on the recommendations, community groups and individual members of the public will be invited to share their views to help finalize binding recommendations later this year.
PRP and PPSB have agreed to implement recommendations that respond to the seven principles from the OHRC’s racial profiling policy by:
• Acknowledging racial discrimination in PRP service delivery.
• Establishing a process for increased accountability at every level of the organization.
• Continuing to expand the development of civilian-led mental health crisis response services.
• Including a multi-year action plan with timelines to help address systemic racism in policing in Peel.
PRP, PPSB and the OHRC will continue to work towards consensus on recommendations that will create legally binding commitments that PRP will implement to change the landscape of policing in the community.
“Today is an important step forward in the Human Rights Project,” said Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission. “The OHRC is encouraged by Peel Regional Police’s commitment to human rights-centered work in dismantling systemic racism. We look forward to reaching legally binding commitments that will be informed by the lived of experience of Peel communities to enhance accountability and address systemic racism in policing services and employment practices.”
“Peel Regional Police is committed to being the most progressive, innovative, and inclusive service in Canada,” said Nishan Duraiappah, Chief of Police, Peel Regional Police. “We are proud of our collaboration with community partners, the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Peel Police Services Board in bringing forth these recommendations. We will continue to work with our communities and take the actions needed to strengthen public trust and accountability in our service.”
“The joint efforts of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Peel Regional Police, and the Peel Police Services Board have resulted in the development of recommendations that reflect best practices and community input,” said Sumeeta Kohli, Vice-Chair, Peel Police Services Board; Chair, Governance and Human Rights Committee of the Board. “We are grateful for the valuable contributions from Peel residents and the expertise of Peel Regional Police’s community-led Anti-Racism Advisory Committee. The Board is committed to implementing the proposed recommendations and ensuring a multi-year action plan with timelines that enhances accountability, addresses systemic racism, and fosters trust in our policing services. This is an important step forward in the Human Rights Project, and we remain dedicated to creating lasting change in Peel Region.”
A few quick facts:
In 2020, OHRC, PRP and PPSB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing to development and implementation of legally binding remedies to identify and address systemic racism in policing, promote transparency and accountability, and enhance Black, other racialized and Indigenous communities’ trust in policing throughout Peel Region.
The MOU is known as the Human Rights Project.
Recommendations shared with ARAC cover a wide range of initiatives and the use of de-escalation strategies.