Gerry McNeilly, Ontario’s independent police review director, announced that Toronto police use-of-force guidelines will be investigated starting at the end of February, 2014. The review will look at the most recent Sammy Yatim case as well as the outcomes of the triple inquest into the deaths of Sylvia Klibingaitis, 52, Michael Eligon, 29, and Reyal Jardine-Douglas, 25. Klibingaitis, Eligon, Jardine-Douglas were individuals with mental health issues who were fatally shot by police.
This is the third investigation into police use-of-force that has been launched since the Yatim shooting occured in the summer of 2013.
This is the third investigation into police use-of-force that has been launched since the Yatim shooting occured in the summer of 2013. The Ontario Ombudsman, Andre Marin, is looking at de-escalation techniques being used at the provincial level and an internal investigation by Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci is being conducted for the Toronto Police Service (TPS).
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) will also look at public complaints, videos and images, as well as policy and training documents, interviews and forensic evidence.
CMHA Ontario encourages police and mental health agencies within communities to collaborate and find effective solutions when it comes to police interactions with people experiencing a mental health crisis. To help inform this issue, CMHA Ontario is providing submissions to each of the three ongoing reviews/investigations.
The OIPRD is accepting written submissions from the public and other stakeholders who are involved in this issue by April 4, 2014. Submission guidelines and a list of topics that are relevant to the review can be obtained by emailing the OIPRD at OIPRD@ontario.ca.