Toronto to weigh in on proposed police carding policy

Toronto residents can have their say on a proposed police carding policy on Tuesday night before the plan goes before the Toronto Police Services Board on Thursday.

The Board is developing a policy on carding, or “street checks,” after numerous complaints from the community — most of them having to do with race.

Carding is the controversial practice of stopping citizens and documenting personal details without arresting or charging them. The Black Action Defence Committee filed a class-action complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario in February, alleging racial profiling.

The Board agreed that the potential for racial profiling is “significant” and said they will be developing an official carding policy.

Many of those who are stopped by police officers aren’t told they are not under arrest and are free to leave. They also are not told they don’t have to answer any questions. If approved, the new policy would require officers to tell the people they can leave at any time.

The Board is also calling for bias-free officer training.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at police headquarters, located at 40 College St.

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