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How can we tackle racism in Canadian policing?

Three shocking reports published this week give us a glimpse into the issue of racism in two Canadian police forces.
CBC Radio ·
Gerry McNeilly, Ontario's Independent Police Review Director, released his report into allegations of systemic racism within the Thunder Bay Police Service on Wednesday, and has made dozens of recommendations. (CBC)
Not one, but three reports were released this week on the state of race and policing in Canadian cities, and all of them scathing in their conclusions.

In Thunder Bay, Ont., police are under intense scrutiny over relations with Indigenous people after two separate reports suggested the police service is rife with institutional racism. 

In Toronto, police are also under criticism after the Ontario Human Rights Commission released stats showing that black people are "grossly over-represented" in violent interactions with city police.

Sadly, the result of these reports aren't new revelations. They only confirm what black and Indigenous people have reported for some time. Nor are Thunder Bay and Toronto unique among  Canadian cities, as many police forces wrestle with complaints of police discrimination. 

Whether you believe in institutional racism exists among police forces or not, trust is broken in Canada's justice system.

Our question: How can we tackle racism in Canadian policing?

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