SIU’s racial data collection praised as ‘first step’
Some say data will help end misconduct against vulnerable communities
Key figures in two high-profile Peel police shootings this year say they welcome news that Ontario’s police watchdog will soon begin collecting racial data as part of its investigations.
“It’s a first step in acknowledging that there is a problem,” said Chantelle Krupka, a Black Mississauga mother who was shot by a rookie Peel police officer outside her home on Mother’s Day. “We can start right now with these cases. They should not ignore them.”
“I want them to use this data in such a way that they can start holding people more accountable,” added Hassan Choudhary, the nephew of Ejaz Choudry, a 62-year-old Malton man who was shot dead by Peel police during a mental-health crisis in June. “We now have to use this data to keep police officers in check,” he said.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit this week said it will start collecting racial data from complainants — people who have been seriously injured or who allege sexual assault against an officer, or relatives of those who have died — on a voluntary basis starting Oct. 1. The agency says it will also collect data from officers under investigation. The announcement comes the day after a pair of Ontario Human Rights Commission reports found Black people have been far more likely to be arrested, charged, injured and killed in interactions with Toronto police.
Despite making up just 8.8 per cent of the city’s population, Black Torontonians represented almost a third of a selection of charges that involved a high degree of officer discretion, and about 29 per cent of use-of-force cases investigated by the SIU.
In a statement, SIU director Joseph Martino said the reports reinforce the importance of collecting race-based data.
“The systematic collection, analysis and public reporting of this data will do much to help public and police better understand policing and policing oversight issues, including issues relating to systemic antiBlack and anti-Indigenous racism,” he said.
Peel Regional Police have come under particular scrutiny over several incidents in which its officers have injured or killed people of colour in recent months.
Other recent cases include the shooting death of D’Andre Campbell in April and the death of Clive Mensah, a mentally ill man who died after he was Tasered by Peel police near his home last November.
“Systemic collection and reporting of this data is a fundamental first step to ending disproportionate police misconduct against Black, Indigenous, and other vulnerable communities,” said Mensah’s lawyer Emily Lam.
Referring to the human rights commission report this week, Lam said the numbers on race and policing “are disturbing,” adding that “without both data collection and strict accountability measures, these numbers will not change.”
Collecting more demographic data, including on race, was a key recommendation in the landmark 2017 Independent
Police Oversight Review, led by Justice Michael Tulloch.
The SIU has charged Valerie Briffa, the former Peel officer who allegedly shot Krupka, with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and careless use of a firearm over the incident. Briffa has since resigned from Peel police.
The SIU continues to investigate Choudry’s death. The officer accused of shooting him has him refused to be interviewed by the SIU.
Under the Police Services Act, a “subject officer” cannot be legally compelled to present themselves for an interview with the watchdog.
“Data always tells the story,” said Sophia Brown Ramsay, executive director of the Black Community Action Network of Peel. “Our community has needed this for a long time, so that we can make the proper changes that we need for people of colour.”