Joe Martino

Activist Post

The Toronto Police Services Board has just released its draft policy on street checks as they push for implementation. The practice is highly controversial for a number of reasons as this would give the right for police to stop citizens and document personal details without arresting or charging them.

The policy comes just a month after a class-action complaint filed by the Black Action Defence Committee with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, alleging that Toronto Police are involved with racial profiling. While personally I doubt they would ever admit it, it seems quite obvious that the police don’t treat every citizen equally. In New York street checks have been a huge problem as a great deal of racial profiling has gone on; and since cops are given quotas for street checks, arrests and tickets each month, it leaves the door open for even more shady behavior by cops. Click here for more about the NYPD’s street check program and the kid who exposed their involvement with racial profiling.

“For citizens who have done nothing wrong … it’s a breach of privacy… on the other hand, some kind of documentation system allows officers to retrieve information that can assist in investigations.” Frank Addario, a lawyer retained by the Toronto Police Board.

What about the right to remain silent?

Now Toronto police want the ability to stop random and innocent people to collect information and ID’s for their database?

Personally, if I had done nothing wrong, I wouldn’t want to be stopped, hassled and asked for information by police just so that they can fill their database. This leaves a lot of room for future hassle and even wrongful accusations. Many Toronto citizens already developed a lack of trust after what took place during the Toronto G20 summit where police were found abusing their power beyond points many citizens ever thought possible. Will this leave them feeling comfortable given the history?

But these are my thoughts, what are your thoughts on having a street check policy? Do you agree or not? Share your thoughts below.

You can read the draft here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/212340839/Tpsb-Community-Contacts-Policy-Draft-1

Hey, name’s Joe and you are currently engaged in what I’m passionate about, Collective Evolution, where this first appeared. I am a creator of CE and have been heavily at it for 4 years. I love inspiring others to make change and am excited to play an active role in making this all happen. Hands down the only other thing I am this passionate about is baseball. Email me: [email protected]