Statement: OHRC's Framework for the Province to Address Systemic Racism in Policing

The existence of systemic racism in policing represents a serious threat to the ability of Ontario’s police professionals to deliver effective, fair, and accountable policing services to the people of Ontario. On June 5, 2020, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) issued a public statement stating that systemic racism exists in policing, that it is never acceptable, and that police leaders must do more than talk about systemic racism. They must take action to eliminate any and all forms of racism:

“Racism, in any form, is evil. Recent demonstrations across North America have made it clear that racism – and specifically systemic racism – is an evil that continues to plague our society. As police professionals, we must be clear in denouncing it and fighting against racism, which drives a wedge between our dedicated police members and the public each of us has taken an oath to serve. We must also acknowledge that there is still work to be done to eliminate systemic racism in our own organizations and in our processes.”

The full OACP statement is available here.

The OACP has been consulted by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on the Framework for the Government of Ontario to Address Systemic Racism in Policing. As Ontario’s police leaders, the OACP supports the Framework’s goal of fostering a collaborative approach to ensuring systemic changes within policing.

The Framework sets out 10 actions that the OHRC believes should be championed through inter-ministerial cooperation to address systemic racism in policing. While these 10 actions will require an ongoing dialogue with the OHRC, the OACP believes the Framework offers a positive starting point for the needed discussions among government, policing, and other stakeholders who share the common goal of positive changes within policing that advances the elimination of systemic discrimination within our profession.

Issued: July 29, 2021