The arrest and ongoing murder investigation of Bruce McArthur has understandably seized enormous public attention during the past few weeks and months. For Toronto’s LGBTQ community, where McArthur appears to have concentrated the crimes of which he is now accused, it has been a particularly difficult time.

Even as the investigation continues — led ably by experienced members of the Toronto Police Service’s homicide unit — questions arise about these crimes, the historical response that was offered, the breadth and rigour of the procedures in place when it comes to such cases and relations between the police service and the community.

These are legitimate questions and there must be a process to provide the public with clear and accountable answers. Indeed, I first raised the suggestion of an external review in late February with the mayor and the chair of the Toronto Police Services Board because I had personally reached the conclusion that key questions could not be credibly answered without such a process. I have gone so far as to suggest such a review must consider not only investigative processes but also systemic issues of bias.

For all these reasons, I strongly support the motion submitted by Mayor Tory to be considered at Thursday’s meeting of the Police Services Board concerning the need for an independent and external review of matters related to missing persons.

I want the community and the public to know that the command leadership of the Toronto Police Service stands firmly behind this push for an external review.

Similarly, I want the public to know that such a move would come on the heels of other, important actions we have also taken.

For example, last month I ordered a Professional Standards review of the Tess Richey and Alloura Wells cases, where important questions about those investigations have been raised.

In addition, a robust community plan has been launched including in-person presentations by Deputy Chief of Police Barbara McLean and LGBTQ liaison officer Danielle Bottineau. It is my hope that such efforts can help to foster closer ties with the community and build an even more constructive relationship going forward.

Perhaps most important of all, we are in the process of finalizing plans for a dedicated Missing Persons Unit within the Toronto Police Service. According to our numbers, there are 3,300 such reports currently on file in our city.

A dedicated unit will be aimed at delivering high-priority investigatory efforts to both historic cases and new reports. This is an area where action need not — and should not — await additional consideration.

Alongside these steps, an independent, external review will offer a comprehensive accounting of decisions made, actions taken and policy gaps that might exist in a wide range of areas. Such information will not only help to fortify public confidence in the Toronto Police Service, it will help to deliver practical improvements to our policing efforts. Most critical of all, it will give the public answers.

To consider key questions of mandate, purview and terms of reference, the mayor has proposed that a working group be established under the auspices of the Police Services Board. Here again, I want to voice my support for the mayor’s approach.

As chief of police I believe we must place the highest possible priority on the completion of the investigation and prosecution of these crimes. At the same time, key questions concerning policies and our relationship with the community should be addressed as soon and as possible.

I do not believe these are inherently incompatible objectives and trust that the working group will be able to draw upon qualified experts and the community itself to reach well-balanced recommendations.

On a final note, I want to underscore the importance of having these reviews report publicly. Some have suggested a desire on the part of the police service — or even me personally — to oversee this process of review. This has never been my intention.

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More than anyone, I recognize that an external review that reports publicly will offer the greatest measure of public confidence. Inviting such scrutiny is something I welcome and am eager to support.

Mark Saunders is chief of the Toronto Police Service.