Toronto’s police chief to make ‘major announcement’ on use of force

TORONTO – Toronto’s police chief is set to make a “major announcement” this afternoon on the use of force by police and how they deal with people who are emotionally disturbed.

Bill Blair is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m.

It comes a day before representatives for the families of seven people killed in police shootings are set to call for action to prevent other fatal police encounters.

The family of Sammy Yatim, 18, who died last month after being shot by police on an empty streetcar, is scheduled to be among those appearing at a news conference.

Yatim’s death sparked public outrage after it was captured on surveillance and cellphone videos in which nine shots can be heard.

The Special Investigations Unit is looking into the circumstances of Yatim’s death and Blair has said he would be conducting a separate probe to see if police procedures and training were followed.

Const. James Forcillo has been suspended and the Toronto Police Association president has urged the public not to jump to conclusions.

Following Yatim’s death, Blair said he understood the public had many questions about police conduct.

“I recognize that there is a need for answers and that the public quite rightfully expects that the matter will be thoroughly investigated. I want to assure you all that this will be done,” he said at the time.

“The public also has a right to demand that the Toronto Police Service examine the conduct of its officers to ensure that its training and procedures are both appropriate and followed. This will be done.”

Ontario’s ombudsman has also launched an investigation, probing what kind of direction the provincial government provides to police for defusing conflict situations.

Andre Marin has said Yatim’s shooting raises the question of whether it’s time for Ontario to have consistent and uniform guidelines on how police should de-escalate situations before they lead to the use of force.

Many coroner’s inquests into similar deaths over the past 20 years have made recommendations that are almost “carbon copied from each other,” he said, such as increasing police training.

A coroner’s inquest into similar police-related deaths will also get underway this fall.