DEPUTATION TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOARD

2012 SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT: Priority: Focusing on People with Distinct Needs By Miguel Avila

June 20, 2013

Dear Board Members:

The purpose of this report is to provide an overall progress of the T.P.S Priority Strategies. Today I would only focus on Page 14 of the report. The priority of the T.P.S with people with distinct needs mainly people living with Mental Illness, a topic of great importance to me since I live with both a Mental Illness and Physical disabilities. As you may remember in April 2012 several community members included myself were here to tell the board that immediate action needs your attention when T.P.S officers interact with people with mental illness. Following the deputations, the Board had a discussion and approved the following Motions: 1. THAT the Board receive the report from Chief Blair and the presentations provided by Deputy Chief Federico and Ms. Capponi; 2. THAT the Board receive the deputations and the written submissions and that copies be forwarded to the Chief of Police and the Boards Mental Health SubCommittee for review and any comments or recommendations be provided to the Board, if appropriate; and contd 3. THAT the Board request the Chief of Police to review our model of how police officers/dispatchers respond to people suffering mental illness, this review is to include: a) review of successful models globally; b) consultation with stakeholders; and c) consultation with academia and medical practitioners. Since that day the Board has launched a campaign to educate T.P.S officers in the issue of Mental Issues. Particularly at the Police College in South Etobicoke and a video is circulated for T.P.S Officers in other divisions to learn about the best techniques to approach people with Mental Illness.

For the record two (2) individuals suffering from Mental Illness had died in Toronto recently: In both cases the identity of the individuals are unknown at this time since the S.I.U is currently investigating. The first deceased individual, a male died at a cross roads in Scarbourgh last April 26 2013 , he was wielding a machete and appear to be totally mentally disturbed, He died because the lack of training received by officers, they choose to shoot to kill. There was no presence of the M.I.C.T The T.P.S officers opted for the decision to kill the mentally disturbed individual ( See attached Clipping) The second deceased individual also a male was found to be a T.C.H.C resident from Adanac Dr in Scarborough last June 07 2013. He was also wielding a knife and was showing signs of being mentally disturbed. Again there were no M.C.I.T present at the scene and the officers who responded to the 911 call shoot the individual three (3) times. ( see attached clipping) Of course the S.I.U is currently investigating both cases. The S.I.U is supposed to offer civilian oversight. It's staffed by ex-Police Officers and it's not holding the T.P.S accountable. Unless there is an effective mechanism for holding police officers accountable, unnecessary shooting deaths will continue, as this situation continues The board is still awaiting the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional

Services of Ontario to let the Minister herself known the frustration of the Community in relation to the S.I.U. RECOMMENDATIONS: I have three (3) recommendations to the board: My Firs recommendation, M.C.I.Ts need to be permanent visible and available, whenever dealing with calls of people suffering a Mental Crisis. Last Sunday at 220 Oak St. a T.C.H.C property some one call 911, ( the time of the incident 1:32 p.m) ,I saw four (4) rushing to the 911 call and waited to see the Nurse from St Michaels Hospital .. There was no nurse anywhere, a Nurse who is suppose to be with an officer to respond to 911 calls. It happened that I was walking my dog at the time so I have the chance to witness the whole process in front of my eyes. One of our residents a female of T.C.H.C had experienced a mental crisis and was throwing objects out of her balcony, the time of this call happened between the hours of service between 1:00 pm and 11:00 pm again the advise Crisis teams need to be
responsive to the diverse communities that make up Toronto . Can you imagine what could have happened if I wasnt there to beg the officers attending the call to act with compassion and not to shut down the Female resident? The female was subdued and was taken to St Michaels Hospital for treatment.

My Second recommendation to the Board , resend a second invitation to the

Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services of Ontario Madeleine Meilleur to be at the next Board Meeting to listen to the Citizens of Toronto (besides the other outstanding issues such a professional standards of the T.P.S officers ) to listen our concerns in connection the S.I.U composition and return credibility to the work of the T.P.S. Yes that include permanent termination of T.P.S officers for not complying with training in relation to handle People with Mental Illnesses.

My third and last recommendation include individuals who can champion for people of mental illness and addictions, in the new Task Force composition that this Board T.P.S and the T.C.H.C has created. Absent is a very important component of the task force a T.CH.C resident. The Task Force aims at reducing crime and increase safety and who is looking after people with Mental Illness and Addictions well being? Are we supposed to shot to kill as the alternative to deal with People with Mental Illnesses and addictions ? For the record, I was in attendance yesterday to the T.C.H.C board and it was finally revealed something I knew for a long time. They dont have an exact number of people living with Mental Illnesses and Addictions at T.C.H.C. It is time we get to work to help people and not shot them down.

Yours truly,

Miguel Avila

Attachments links: http://www.cp24.com/news/siu-investigating-after-man-shot-killed-bypolice-in-scarborough-1.1255465

and http://www.citynews.ca/2013/04/26/man-shot-dead-by-police-inscarborough-being-probed-siu/