Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

eports its findings to the Attorney General. 53 In contrast, the Chief of Police gives his
report to the TPSB, along with any action taken or recommended as a result of the
incident. 54 This is known as the Chief of Police’s section 11 report, in reference to the
provision number in the regulation. As noted in Chapter 2 (Mandate, Independence,
Scope and Methodology), this Review was commissioned by Chief Blair in connection
with his obligations under section 11 relating to the incident involving Mr. Yatim, but
this Report does not address the circumstances specific to that particular event.
F. Comparison to other police services
59. Several North American police services have implemented performance
monitoring strategies, including early intervention systems. In Las Vegas, the Early
Identification and Intervention Program is a non-disciplinary tool that requires
supervisors to input data into a “dashboard” that helps identify incidents and patterns
that may result in diminished work performance. Front-line supervisors review their
subordinates’ dashboards monthly to identify any red flags based on performance
indicators and thresholds established by a central committee. Supervisors may
intervene to ensure a member whose performance raises a red flag receives any
necessary support, training or other assistance. The goal of the program is to reduce
liability and risk exposure to the employee and the department as a whole, while at the
same time ensuring supervisory accountability. 55
60. Similarly, the Los Angeles Police Department has developed a data-based early
intervention system aimed at identifying and correcting behaviours that are likely to
lead to misconduct. The LAPD’s Risk Management Information System gathers data on
a daily basis regarding, among other things, every individual officer’s arrests, crime
reports, citations issued, pedestrian and vehicle stops, complaints, uses of force, vehicle
pursuits or collisions, commendations, weapon qualifications, and attendance. This data
is then compared on a daily basis against thresholds established by standard deviations
from their peer group within the service. Supervisors are automatically notified of
officers whose activities deviate too far from the mean, and they are authorized to take
remedial action to correct the behaviour. 56
61. Rather than having a disciplinary or punitive purpose, such early intervention
systems assist police services in monitoring and, if necessary, remediating the
performance, skills and readiness for duty of all officers. The systems are based on
institutional learning about the behaviours that have previously resulted in misconduct
or workplace health concerns. At the same time, they are forward looking in purpose,
aimed at preventing unnecessary harm to police officers or members of the public and
ensuring compliance with legislation and policies.
53
Id., s. 11(4).
54
Ibid.
55
Las Vegas, Partners, supra note 7 at 208.
56
David R. Doan, Deputy Chief (ret), Los Angeles Police Department, “Managing Risk Through Technology: Officer Early
Intervention Systems” (Presented to the 37th Annual I.A.C.P. Law Enforcement Information Management Training Conference &
Technology Exposition, Scottsdale, Arizona, 23 May 2013).
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