Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

24. Accountability: The TPS is increasingly embracing technological tools that reflect
a commitment to public accountability—most notably in the area of cameras (in-car
cameras, cameras in police cells, and a new initiative relating to body-worn cameras, as
discussed in Chapter 12 (Equipment)), as well as other recording devices such as lapel
microphones for front line officers.
25. Service: The TPS has an institutional focus on public service. One overt
illustration of this focus arose in the 1990s, when the name of the organization was
changed from the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force to the Metropolitan Toronto Police
Service, in order to reflect the greater emphasis on service. The motto of the TPS is “to
serve and protect.” The TPS Mission Statement describes the Service’s dedication to
delivering police services in partnership with its communities, and the TPS Vision
Statement expresses the Service’s commitment to delivering police services that are
sensitive to the needs of its communities, involving collaborative partnerships and
teamwork to overcome all challenges. The Vision Statement states that the TPS
measures its success by the satisfaction of its members and its communities. 5
26. Institutional leadership and continuous self-improvement: The TPS Vision
Statement expresses the Service’s commitment to “being a world leader in policing
through excellence, innovation, continuous learning, quality leadership and
management.” 6
27. The Service recently reaffirmed this vision, with particular reference to bias-free
policing that is respectful of human rights, in the Report relating to Phase II of the
Police and Community Engagement Review (PACER Report) that was publicly released
in October 2013. 7 The vision statement of the PACER Report is that “the Toronto Police
Service will be a world leader in bias-free police service delivery.” 8 The report confirms
that the Service “is continuously striving to find the right combination of strategies that
protect the public and promote human rights,” and that “it is critical for the Service to
continue to support its Members by providing the necessary tools and training required
for the delivery of police services in a bias-free manner.” 9
28. Honourable and professional conduct: As a para-military organization, the TPS
has a strong focus at a formal level on ensuring honourable and professional conduct.
This is manifested in a number of ways, including through the TPS Standards of
Conduct and the disciplinary system that enforces the standards. Within the Foreword
from the Chief of Police that is included with the Service Governance documentation
that is provided to TPS members, the paramount importance of honour and
professionalism is succinctly summarized:
5
Id. at 7.
6
Ibid.
7
Toronto Police Service, The Police and Community Engagement Review (The PACER Report): Phase II – Internal (Toronto, ON:
Toronto Police Service, 2013), online: Toronto Police Service Board [TPS,
PACER Report].
8
Id. at 5.
9
Id. at 4, iv.
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