News Release

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2007

New System Means Increased Confidence And Respect Of Public And Police

TORONTO — Legislation passed today will create a new police review system that will have the support and confidence of both the police and the public, Attorney General Michael Bryant said today.

[ Audio ] "We are creating a police review system that has the confidence and respect of the public and the police," said Bryant. "We are providing the public with a significant new standard of police accountability, while not interfering with the good work being done by Ontario's police services."

The Independent Police Review Act, 2007, passed by the legislature today, establishes a police complaints system administered by a new civilian organization and led by an Independent Police Review Director. The new system is expected to be in place in approximately one year, once the director has been hired.

"Citizens and police want a police complaints system in which they can have confidence," said Chief Terry McLaren, President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. "This legislation will help strike the right balance between the needs of the public and the police in terms of dealing with complaints."

"As an organization committed to excellence in policing, we believe that this act strikes the right balance between protecting the rights of police officers and maintaining public confidence in the civilian oversight system," said Bob Baltin, President of the Police Association of Ontario.

In 2004, the McGuinty government appointed the former Chief Justice of Ontario's Superior Court of Justice, the Honourable Patrick J. LeSage, to conduct a review of Ontario's police complaints system. After extensive study, Mr. LeSage made a number of recommendations, including one that called for the creation of an independent civilian review body.

"We commend the government for appointing Mr. LeSage to study this important issue, and for making his recommendations a reality through the Independent Police Review Act, 2007," said Sri-Guggan Sri-Skanda-Rajah, President of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations. "Proper review and complaint mechanisms are essential to ensure accountability, trust and respect between the public and police. We believe the act goes a long way towards providing such mechanisms."

[ Audio ] "I would like to thank Mr. LeSage for dedicating his time and expertise to conducting the review which resulted in this new system," said Bryant. "His well thought-out recommendations are the foundation of this new system, one that we believe is both fair and effective for all Ontarians."

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