Toronto Police Association endorses Conservative Party of Canada, against Police Board policy

We asked the leading contenders for Prime Minister for their position on the policing and public safety issues that matter the most to our members and the communities we serve. As you head to the ballot box next week, consider these responses. It is clear to us there is only one Party that has maintained a strong position on public safety issues and proactively supported police services. While our vote is with @PierrePoilievre and the @CPC_HQ, we will work with whoever leads the next government and we will hold them accountable as we continue to advocate for our members and the public.

Source

Political endorsements prohibited by Toronto Police Service Board’s policy

Toronto Police Service Board’s policy Political Activity of Police Officers states that members of the Toronto Police Association, including its President, are subject to the Police Services Act (now the Community Safety and Policing Act) and are therefore prohibited from endorsing or opposing candidates in an election:

Members of the Toronto Police Association and/or its Executive are subject to the Police Services Act and its Regulations and are, therefore, like every municipal police officer, prohibited from endorsing or opposing candidates in an election.

It is the policy of the Toronto Police Services Board that: 

1. The endorsement or opposition of political candidates by municipal police officers is prohibited by the Police Services Act and its Regulations; 
2. Members of the Toronto Police Association or its Executive are subject to the Police Services Act and its Regulations; 
3. The Chief of Police will communicate with the Toronto Police Service each time an election campaign commences to reiterate that police officers are prohibited from using their status as police officers to endorse or oppose candidates during an election; and 
4. The Chief of Police will discipline any police officer who contravenes this policy.

The Police Board affirmed this position in 2010 under the Police Services Act, before the Community Safety and Policing Act was implemented.

Take action

• Violations of Police Board policies should be reported to the municipal Police Services Board.
• Violations of the Canada Elections Act should be reported to the Commissioner of Canada Elections
• Violations of the Community Safety and Policing Act should be reported to Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA)