“The public remains concerned that the current police oversight system needs strengthening. This is why we are here tonight,” said Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Michael Tulloch at the first of 18 public consultations planned across the province within the next three months. Against the backdrop of high-profile cases of police-involved fatalities in Canada and across North America, calls for changes to police oversight in Ontario have reached a fever pitch, while public trust in police has sunk. “I am cautiously optimistic.” Among the biggest criticisms of the SIU is that it’s secretive about its decision-making; Tulloch has been instructed by the government to prioritize the issue of SIU transparency. The final report containing all recommendations must be delivered to the attorney general by March 31, 2017.

Source: thestar September 15, 2016 01:18 UTC