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Toronto Police Service Board

Established in 1834, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) is the police force servicing Toronto and includes approximately 8,000 full-time and part-time uniform and civilian members. TPS members include frontline police officers, criminal investigators, community response officers, parking enforcement officers, communications operators, court officers, civilian specialists, and support staff.

The Toronto Police Service Board's mandate is legislated by the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) and, includes general management and setting of policing policy. Generally, the board's role in shaping the structure of policing is very broad, limited by legislation only in the realm of day-to-day operations.

Board responsibilities

The board is responsible for:

• the administration of the police service
• ensuring that adequate and effective policing is provided in Toronto
• establishing policies, strategic plans, and annual reports as prescribed under the Community Safety and Policing Act
• employing members of police service
• adopting a diversity plan for members of the service
• conducting an annual review of the chief of police’s performance
• monitoring the chief of police’s handling of discipline
• ensuring police facilities comply with prescribed standards
• giving directions to the chief of police in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act and regulations made under the act.

Board size and composition

The board consists of 7 members composed of:

• the Mayor or designate appointed by Council
• 2 members of Council
• 1 public member appointed by City Council
• 3 public members appointed by the Province of Ontario

Chair and vice chair

Under the Community Safety and Policing Act, the board elects its chair and vice chair from amongst its members.

Term of office

The term of office for the City's public member is four years; however, the term cannot exceed the term of office of the City Council that appointed the member. Such a member may continue to sit on the board as a member until the earlier of:

• Six months after the expiry of their term, or
• The day the member’s successor is appointed.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for appointment to the board, the public member must meet the eligibility requirements in the City's Public Appointments Policy.

Under the Community Safety and Policing Act, persons are ineligible for appointment to the board if they are:

• a judge
• a justice of the peace
• a member of a police service, a special constable or a First Nation Officer
• anyone who practices as a criminal law defence counsel or prosecutor
• a director, officer, employee of a policing provider
• a former member of the Toronto Police Service
• a former member of a police service if it has been less than a year since the person ceased to be a member of that police service

Qualifications

The Community Safety and Policing Act requires that the body appointing board members considers:

• the board is representative of the area it serves, having regard to the diversity of the population in that area
• any prescribed competencies (listed below)
• any applicable diversity plan

The City's public member of the board should demonstrate some of the following qualifications:

• an interest in, and commitment to, public safety and responsible police governance
• an understanding of the police community, its values, and its needs
• superior skills in leadership and management
• administrative and budgetary experience
• dedication to public service and the community
• skills in conflict management, negotiation, and mediation
• an ability to set organizational goals and priorities
• a flexible schedule to meet time commitments of the position

In addition, under the Community Safety and Policing Act, the appointing body is required to consider an appointee’s police record check results that were prepared within the past 12 months before appointing him or her as a member of the police service board.

Meetings

The Community Safety and Policing Act requires the board to hold at least four meetings each year. The board generally meets once per month. In addition, public members attend community meetings and ceremonial and other special events.

Remuneration

• The chair receives an annual retainer of $90,963
• The vice chair receives an annual retainer of $13,750 and a per diem payment of $350 to a maximum remuneration of $22,500
• Members receive an annual retainer of $8,750 and a per diem payment of $350 to a maximum remuneration of $15,750

Related links

• Toronto Police Service Board website
• List of Province of Ontario Appointees to the Board
• City of Toronto agency overview for the Toronto Police Service