A Path Forward: Report of the York Regional Police Services Board Anti-Black Racism and Building Community Trust Committee

Professor Akwasi Owusu-Bempah presented the report of the Anti-Black Racism and Building Community Trust Committee (“the Committee”) to the Board in November 2022. The report addressed recommendations brought forward after the consultations with members of the Black communities in York Region. A total of fifty-one recommendations were proposed for change, and eight recommendations were specifically directed to the Board and reviewed by this Committee. The Committee was formed in the spring of 2021 and comprised two members of the Board and the Executive Director, two members of York Regional Police and two members of the community. The Committee relied on a collaboration with York Regional Police in acquiring data, resources and documentation with information which supported the Committee’s mandate in meeting its goals and objectives. The key areas addressed are anti-racism and the governance role of the Board, accountability, transparency, race-based data, consultation, training, evaluation and measurement and budget. Work has been done by both the Service and the Board to address diversity broadly and to work to meet the needs of York Region’s racialized communities. The overarching goal of the report is that the Board must play a key role in advancing anti-racism and equitable policing at the Service level through a comprehensive anti-racism strategy that is data-driven and which guides the Service and incorporates changes to policy and the business plan.