For Immediate Release
June 12th, 2015
Mayor Crombie, Police Services Board, Call for Full Review of Street Checking
Mississauga, ON — “I am pleased that the Peel Regional Police will undertake a full public review of the practice of carding or “Street Checks” in Peel Region to inform residents about the practice and make necessary changes to ensure the rights and freedoms of all residents are respected,” said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie
Mayor Crombie made the comments following a meeting of the Peel Police Services Board, which voted unanimously to hold a full review of Street Check practices by Peel Regional Police. This review will include consultations with key community stakeholders to ensure that as Peel Police Officers undertake their responsibilities they ensure that the rights and freedoms of every resident are respected.
“There have been significant concerns raised about the practice of carding, specifically who is being stopped, the collection of data, and the length that data is being retained,” said Mayor Crombie, who was elected to serve on the Peel Police Services Board at the beginning of the 2014-2018 term.
“It is important that we provide our front line officers with the tools they need to do their job, but at the same time we must always, first and foremost, protect the rights and freedoms of all residents, despite race, religion or ethnicity.”
“Everyone in the community must feel safe, but no one should feel targeted,” added Mayor Crombie, who introduced and moved the motion, which was seconded by Brampton Mayor, Linda Jeffrey, during today’s Police Services Board Meeting.
“We continuously review all of our policies and procedures and this is no different. We’ve heard from residents across Peel Region that are concerned about the practice.
“If there are problems, we will fix them.”
“Our job as Police Service Board members is to ask the tough questions of the police, while at time ensuring officers have the appropriate resources to fulfill their responsibilities to keep residents and neighbourhoods safe, and to keep themselves safe while on duty,” Crombie concluded.
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