On Monday, August 12, 2013, I announced that I had asked the Honourable Dennis O'Connor, Q.C, to assist me with an internal review of the Toronto Police Service use of force in dealing with emotionally disturbed persons. This review will be conducted in support of my statutory responsibility under the regulations of the Police Services Act. Specifically, I have asked Mr. O'Connor to review our policies, procedures, and training, as well as the equipment used by members of the Toronto Police Service, and to conduct an international review of best practices to provide me with advice and make recommendations on how we can improve our response to these difficult and dangerous situations. These recommendations will be made public.
My request of Mr. O'Connor is in the nature of a forward-looking review that will lead to improvements in the policies and procedures that guide our officers, the training that provides them with the skills and competencies to respond effectively, and the equipment that will enable them to resolve these critical incidents safely.
As I made clear on Monday, I have not asked Mr. O'Connor to investigate or make factual findings about past incidents. That is the responsibility of the Special Investigations Unit and our courts. Mr. O'Connor's role is not judicial in nature; rather it is to advise me with respect to the internal review described above.
I raise this issue because of Mr. O'Connor's association with the law firm of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP ("BLG"). After his retirement from the Court of Appeal, Mr. O'Connor returned to his former law firm, now BLG. As is well known, BLG has acted for the insurers of the Toronto Police Service in civil suits, some of which include allegations of the wrongful use of lethal force. Currently, lawyers at BLG are acting on a number of such matters.
Mr. O'Connor and I are satisfied that his association with BLG will not, in any way, impair his ability to give me sound advice on the matters I have asked him to review. Mr. O'Connor's experience as a lawyer, judge and public inquiry commissioner make him ideally suited to assist me in this very important matter.
My request of Mr. O'Connor is in the nature of a forward-looking review that will lead to improvements in the policies and procedures that guide our officers, the training that provides them with the skills and competencies to respond effectively, and the equipment that will enable them to resolve these critical incidents safely.
As I made clear on Monday, I have not asked Mr. O'Connor to investigate or make factual findings about past incidents. That is the responsibility of the Special Investigations Unit and our courts. Mr. O'Connor's role is not judicial in nature; rather it is to advise me with respect to the internal review described above.
I raise this issue because of Mr. O'Connor's association with the law firm of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP ("BLG"). After his retirement from the Court of Appeal, Mr. O'Connor returned to his former law firm, now BLG. As is well known, BLG has acted for the insurers of the Toronto Police Service in civil suits, some of which include allegations of the wrongful use of lethal force. Currently, lawyers at BLG are acting on a number of such matters.
Mr. O'Connor and I are satisfied that his association with BLG will not, in any way, impair his ability to give me sound advice on the matters I have asked him to review. Mr. O'Connor's experience as a lawyer, judge and public inquiry commissioner make him ideally suited to assist me in this very important matter.