Police Conduct

Torontonians were asked to indicate the scope of how many members of the Toronto police force did certain things on and off the job. The scope included a choice of one of “none, a few, many, most, all” for each scenario.



The following are the combined percentages of Torontonians who tbelieve how many Toronto police do the following:

• Two thirds (63%) believe that when charged with misconduct or a criminal act many/most/all Toronto police get preferred treatment compared to any civilian who did the same thing.

Four in 10 (37%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police officers, when charged with misconduct or act criminal act, get preferred treatment compared to any other civilian who did the same thing.

• A majority (54%) believe many/most/all Toronto police ignore an infraction committed by a fellow police officer on or off duty – like impaired driving.

Almost half (46%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police officers ignore an infraction committed by a fellow police officer on or off duty – like impaired driving.

• Half (51%) believe many/most/all Toronto police never really get punished for any wrongdoing they commit on or off the job.

Half (49%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police officers never really get punished for any wrongdoing they commit on or off the job.

• A significant minority (44%) believe many/most/all Toronto police unfairly and discriminately racially profile black and dark-skinned Torontonians.

A majority (56%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police officers unfairly and discriminately racially profile lack and dark-skinned Torontonians.

• Just over one third (35%) believe many/most/all Toronto police rough up suspects, especially if they are black/dark skinned or are from certain neighbourhoods, during arrests.

Two thirds (65%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police officers rough up suspects, especially if they are black/dark skinned or are from certain neighbourhoods.

• Only one third (33%) believe many/most/all Toronto police are adequately trained to deal with people who are having a mental health crisis.

Seven in 10 (67%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police officers are adequately trained to deal with people who are having a mental health crisis.

• Three in 10 (28%) believe many/most/all Toronto police lie in court or falsify notes to get a conviction.

Seven in 10 (72%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police lie in court or falsify notes to get a conviction.

• One in six (18%) believe many/most/all Toronto police plant incriminating evidence on someone to make an arrest.

Eight in 10 (82%) believe that only a few/none Toronto police officers plant incriminating evidence on someone to make an arrest.

The Toronto Police Union: Majority (72%) Believes Police Union Cares More About its Members than About Citizens and Policing

Almost the quarters (72%) of Torontonians believe the police union cares more about its members than it does about citizens and policing. There are very few demographic or geographic differences of opinion across Toronto on this matter, however those with higher income (77% $100,000 +), those in Old City of Toronto/Downtown (77%) and York/East York (77%) are more likely to share this view.

This compares with three in 10 (28% somewhat) who disagree with this perspective and are more likely to be living in Etobicoke (36%) and be lower educated (34%).

Torontonians split: (51% versus 49%) Believe Toronto Police Union has Credibility

Torontonians are split: half (51%) believe the Toronto police union has credibility when they speak out on behalf of the membership compared with the other half (49%) who don’t

Of those who believe the Toronto Police Union has credibility (51%), they are more likely to be those with children (57%), those with some post secondary education (56%), those who are lower income (55% earning less than $50,000 household income per annum) women (54%) versus men (48%), and younger Torontonians (54% aged 18 – 34).

Of those who don’t believe the Toronto police union has credibility (49%), they are more likely to be higher income (56% $100,000 + household income per annum), lower educated (55%), and living in York/East York (54%) and the Old City of Toronto/Downtown (53%.

Majority (76%) believe police get paid more than enough to do their job

Three quarters (76%) of Torontonians believe that police “get paid more than enough to do their job”. This view is most likely held by those who earn over $75,000 household income per year (82%), those in the Old City of Toronto/Downtown (82%), those with children (80%), those lower educated (80%), men (79%) versus women (73%) and those who are lower educated (80%).

In the alternate, one quarter (24%) of Torontonians disagree the Toronto police get paid more than enough to do their job. Those taking this position are more likely to be post secondary graduates (29%), women (27%), those earning less than $74,000 household income per year (29%) and those living in the Etobicoke (28%).