Maureen Prinsloo - Police Services Board Chair
1997 was a year of tremendous municipal change. We saw approval of the amalgamation of six cities and the regional government into one new City of Toronto. There was also significant change in Board membership in 1997.
Provincial appointees, Laura Rowe and Massey Lombardi completed their terms and were replaced by Jeff Lyons and Emilia Valentini, who have been appointed until the year 2000. In December, the Board saw the departure of Alan Tonks, Chairman of Metro Council and Lois Griffin, Metro Councilor and Board Vice-Chair. On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank the outgoing members for their support and dedication. I also want to wish the new Board members success in facing the challenges ahead.
The Metro Toronto Police Service also continued to hire new police officers. In 1997, 54 new police officers were hired. This complements the 294 hired in 1996. This hiring was part of an overall human resources strategy that will result in the strategic hiring of police officers over the next ten years.
A review of the internal discipline system of Metro Toronto Police was completed during 1997. External counsel found that the discipline process currently in place was unpredictable and inefficient. Accordingly, the Board adopted recommendations aimed at developing mechanisms and policies geared to restoring confidence in the process, thereby making it more effective for all parties.
The province approved changes regarding the way complaints against police officers are handled. All complaints will now be handled internally. The challenge facing the Board and the Service is to show both the community and our officers that the new complaints process is both fair and accountable.
Community outreach was a key Board accomplishment in 1997. The Board approved funding to divisional Community Police Liaison committees.
The Board also hosted a conference for members of Community Police Liaison Committees that drew over 125 people. As the Service moves toward community based policing, it is important that we have strong community committees working with the police to identify local problems and create neighbourhood solutions.
The Board became more accessible with the creation og an Internet Web site (www.torontopoliceboard.on.ca). Information can be found on when the Board meets, the Boards mandate, background on Board members and how to get appointed to the Board. The Boards public agenda and minutes are also contained on the internet site.
As Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, I enjoyed working with the Board members and staff. We fulfilled our governance role.
I believe that the accomplishments of the Board, the Chief, Command Officers and Service staff will ensure that the Metro Toronto Police Service continues to be an innovator in policing.
