Actions speak louder than words: why the Toronto Police apology falls flat
Actions speak louder than words: why the Toronto Police apology falls flat
By Marcus Medford
New Canadian Media
The afternoon of June 15, I sat on the front steps of my house speaking to a Toronto Police officer. I was reporting an incident, he was taking my statement. The officer was courteous; he identified and introduced himself, made good eye contact, walked me through the procedure, talked to me about the body camera, and asked if I had any questions before we got started. We even shared a few laughs.
But I was nervous the entire time — I instinctively checked for his badge and what was on his police belt.
Earlier that day, Toronto’s interim Police Chief, James Ramer, apologized to the city’s racialized communities in response to a damning report released by the force itself. The report confirmed what racialized communities have said for decades, that systemic racism is prevalent within one of this country’s largest — and best-funded — municipal police forces.
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