Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans is refusing to suspend the controversial practice of street checks, also known as carding, despite a vote from her board asking her to do so.
This afternoon the Peel Police Services Board voted 4-3 in favour of putting street checks on hold while a further review is conducted but Evans subsequently informed the board that she would not ask her officers to halt a practice that she views as an important tool in solving crimes.
The ultimate decision on carding was left to Evans because of language in the Peel Regional Police Services Act which prohibits the board from interfering in operational matters.
“As the chief indicated at the meeting she respectfully declines. Because it is operational it is the chief’s decision,” Peel Regional Police spokesperson Dan Richardson told CP24.com late Friday afternoon.
Crombie and Jeffrey had sought suspension
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey had moved to put carding on hold due to concerns that the practice, wherein police stop and collect information from people who are not under arrest, disproportionately targets people of colour.
In fact, one recent Toronto Star report based on six years of data found that black people accounted for 21 per cent of street checks conducted in Brampton and Mississauga despite census data that suggested the group only make up about nine per cent of both cities.
In a press release sent out on Friday afternoon, Crombie said she believes “there are serious issues about street checks that need to be addressed.”
Crombie, however, said she is encouraged by Evan’s commitment to hold annual public meetings in Mississauga and Brampton that will allow Peel Regional Police to better engage the public on street checks.
“Let me reiterate how important it is that we provide our front line police officers with the tools they need to do their jobs, but at the same time we must protect the rights and freedoms of all residents, despite race, religion or ethnicity,” Crombie said.
The Ministry of Community Safety is currently in the process of creating Ontario-wide regulations on street checks and Richardson told CP24 that Evans will “continue to work with the province” as part of that process.
A review of street checks is also currently underway in Peel Region.
Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.
