Not enough done to deal with the reality of anti-black racism in policing

BY PAUL JUNOR

On Monday, August 10^th, 2020 the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its second report based on its inquiry into racial profiling. It pulled from Toronto Police Services (TPS) data from the years 2013 to 2017.

The report found that blacks have a higher chance of being: arrested, charged, shot and killed by police. Eric Chadha, OHRC’s interim chief commissioner stated that, “The time for debate about whether systemic racism or anti-black racism exists is over.”

Professor Scott Wortley of the University of Toronto analysed the data. It was conclusive that blacks are often stopped and detained without legal justification, searched unnecessarily, arrested without warrants and face further charges. He emphasizes that there is an urgent need for “Significant reform as black people were ‘grossly’ over-represented in policing use of force and arrest incidents.”

Chadha notes further that, “It is incumbent upon us all to envision the practices, the policies, the procedures and importantly the perceptions that shape policing in our city. The disparities in the commission report are more than just statistics. They are black lives and Black Lives Matter.” Chandra hopes that this report, coming at such a critical time, will catalyse real action to promote social changes to policing.

Laura Mae Lindo, Chair of the Ontario NDP Black Caucus and Anti-Racism Critic released a statement titled, “Ontario government must act on OHRC Report and finally address anti-black racism in policing.” She calls on the PC-government to respond immediately to the report. She states, “How many more reports does Doug Ford need before he takes real action against systemic anti-black racism? How many more moves need to be derailed? How many more deaths?” A call is being made on the government to act immediately to address long-standing concerns.

MPP Lindo is particularly concerned that the provincial government has not done enough to deal with the reality of anti-black racism in policing. In response to the OHRC’s report on Monday, August 10^th, 2020 Premier Doug Ford stated, “I think it’s so important that we continue working with the black community and helping them anyway we can. That’s what our government is doing. I reach out to the community always. I go right into the community and talk to them and listen to their concerns.” This is not enough for many in the black community, as it is simply mere talk and no action. Many community activists and concerned members want concrete and specific actionable steps.

Lindo states further in her statement that, “Ontario deserves a government that takes systemic racism seriously, invests in our community and service and actually wants to ensure that black families are safe, and live in a province where they are treated with dignity and respect.” She speaks to the human rights implications of the OHRC’s report. It is really about creating a society that is truly inclusive, respectful, tolerant, equitable, fair and safe.

Racial justice lawyer, Anthony Morgan who is manager of the three City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit states,

“We don’t have an information problem, we have an accountability problem when it comes to policing within this city.” He notes that it will be up to public policy makers to ensure that they enact fundamental human right changes in Toronto’s criminal and justice systems that are reflective of the OHRC’s report. This is long overdue.