The Toronto Police Services Board is increasing transparencyon how the force handles accusations that officers have lied under oath.

Police Chief Bill Blair has been directed to regularly report cases in which a judge has found that officers deceived or misled the court, through a public document released annually by the professional standards division.

The report will include a categorization of the comments made, steps the force has taken in response, and the resolutions reached.

At a board meeting Wednesday, members voted to approve a report by chair Alok Mukherjee that, including asking the chief to submit a written report clarifying the process for responding to accusations of officer dishonesty.

The action follows a Star series titled Police Who Lie, which highlighted 100 cases across the country in which judges have suspected police dishonesty.

In the wake of the series, Attorney General John Gerretsen announced an investigation into whether there were appropriate mechanisms or policies in place for reporting those allegations to authorities.

A memorandum from the Attorney General’s office in January formalized a process for the Crown to report cases when a judge finds an officer has lied under oath or there is other evidence to believe police deception has occurred. A Crown attorney forwards an incident to the Director of Crown Operations for review, which then decides whether to relay the matter to the appropriate police service.

On Wednesday, Blair maintained that Toronto police have always had a process in place for responding to accusations of dishonesty, which he said they take “very seriously.”

“We immediately commence investigation,” Blair said. That investigation can lead to charges under the Police Services Act, which can result in an officer losing their job, or in criminal charges. Those incidents are reported to the board as well as the outcome, Blair said.

The police board also plans to invite the provincial minister of safety and correctional services to attend a future meeting to answer questions on the administration of discipline under the Police Services Act.

The recommendations come days after Blair sent a video message to 8,000 officers slamming those whose misconduct — including lying under oath — he said diminishes the reputation of the majority.

“I want to send a very clear message, and did send a clear message, to my people,” Blair told reporters outside the board meeting Wednesday. “We’re not going to permit individuals to abuse their authority, to hide behind the badge, to engage in misconduct that undermines the great work being done by so many.”

When asked about the timing of his message, the chief said there were “a couple of things that have transpired,” but would not elaborate.

His video message, seen by a reporter, included two incriminating clips: One, taken from a police dashboard camera, shows Const. Christian Dobbs repeatedly striking Toronto cook Raymond Costain in front of the King Edward Hotel three years ago. A provincial court judge ruled this month that officers on the scene used excessive force and two turned off their cruiser cameras in an attempt to conceal the abuse.

The second clip, not seen by a reporter, is said to show a group of officers using “sexist, racist and profane language.”

While critics have called for action to back up his strongly worded statement, it’s not yet clear what steps Blair will take to punish or discourage further bad behaviour.

“It’s always, always been critical,” Blair said of the scrutiny officers face when accused of misconduct, including lying on the stand.

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“We take an oath on the stand to tell the truth. And that has always been not only a legal requirement, but a moral requirement.”

Correction - March 28, 2013: This article was edited from a previous version.

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