Words aren’t enough

If well-meant words equalled transformative action, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders would be firmly on the path to delivering lasting reform. The heartfelt speech he delivered on Wednesday as he was officially sworn in hit all the right notes, promising “bold steps” at a time when policing is widely seen as “seriously flawed and too expensive.”

But it will take more than fine words to fix those flaws while also generating real savings. Saunders will ultimately be judged by the results he produces. And serious obstacles remain in the way of meaningful progress.

At no point in his speech did Saunders mention “carding,” although he did make oblique reference to what’s at stake in this controversial practice of having police stop people to ask intrusive questions.

“We have to ensure that our community engagements become smarter, surgical, that they are informed and guided by the latest and most accurate intelligence,” Saunders said. “We will do our best to minimize the social cost of our investigative efforts.”

Yes, but how? People with black or brown skin tend to be carded at a disproportionate rate, raising serious concerns about racial profiling.

Saunders is on record as saying he intends to retain carding while minimizing its “collateral damage.” But it’s unclear how he would change this widely criticized practice. His predecessor, Bill Blair, succeeded in gutting a series of reforms passed last year by the Toronto Police Services Board. Saunders still needs to explain what exactly he would do differently.

Toronto’s new chief was more specific on how he might find savings in a police budget that has swollen to more than $1 billion. Part of his plan involves having civilian staff take on more work.

“We will look at every job currently done by a police officer (and ask) can it be done just as well with a properly trained civilian,” Saunders said.

This has real potential, especially if the goal is to look beyond simply transferring more office jobs to civilian staff and embarking on truly bold measures. We urge Saunders to consider having sworn municipal “special constables” direct traffic and do other community safety chores that don’t require the full authority of a police officer. That’s what’s done in Vancouver.

Saunders said he would explore new “shift systems and deployment models” in an effort to provide better police coverage at less cost. And he pledged to pursue use of round-the-clock traffic cameras, freeing officers from pulling over speeders and other scofflaws and writing tickets

That makes a lot of sense. But provincial approval is required to deploy such technology, as well as for other potential reforms such as widespread use of cheaper special constables. Co-operation from Toronto’s often-truculent police union would also be needed.

All this complicates the task confronting Saunders. But the incoming chief can rely on an immense store of public goodwill. Torontonians share his goal of keeping this a safe and livable city. All should hope that he succeeds.

Police Chief Mark Saunders should be judged by his actions