Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

(a)
(b)
Consistency: whether appropriate consequences are consistently
applied to penalize inappropriate behaviour by officers in
connection with people in crisis;
Appropriate Penalties: whether officers who demonstrate conduct
inconsistent with the role of a police officer are appropriately
disciplined, including through suspension without pay or removal
from their positions when appropriate;
(c) Supervisory Responsibility: whether there are appropriate
disciplinary consequences for supervisors who fail to fulfil their
duties to identify and rectify weaknesses in training or performance
by officers subject to their oversight;
(d)
(e)
Use of Force Reports: whether the information recorded in previous
Use of Force Reports could be used in determining the appropriate
level of discipline in particular incidents involving excessive use of
force; and
Legislative Reform: whether the factors listed above require the
TPS to work with the provincial government to modify legislative or
regulatory provisions.
Rewards
RECOMMENDATION 30: The TPS create incentives for officers to put mental
health training into practice in situations involving people in crisis, and to reward
officers who effectively de-escalate such crisis situations. In this regard, the TPS
should consider inviting community organizations or other agencies to
participate in determining division-level and Service-wide awards for exceptional
communications and de-escalation skills.
Performance reviews and promotion
RECOMMENDATION 31: The TPS consider revising the process for
performance reviews and promotions to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
establish an explicit criterion that experience with people in crisis
will be considered in making promotion decisions within the
Service;
place a greater emphasis on crisis de-escalation skills such as
communication, empathy, proper use of force, patience and use of
mental health resources; and
determine the appropriate use of information contained in Use of
Force Reports in assessing an officer’s performance and suitability
for promotion or particular job assignments.
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