FAQ

The Police Services Act establishes the number of Board members in direct relation to the population of the area it represents.

The Board elects a Chair and Vice-Chair at its first meeting of each year. The timing and election of the Chair is legislated by the Police Services Act.

The Toronto Police Services Board is the only Board in Ontario to be headed by a full time Chair. This position carries a salary of $90,963. Despite the increasing complexity of the position, the salary has not changed since 1987.

City of Toronto Councillors are not compensated for their work on the Board; rather, this service is seen as part of their regular duties.

Since 2006, the remuneration for a citizen Vice-Chair is a combination of an annual honorarium of $13,750 plus a per diem payment of $350 with a cap on total remuneration of $22,500 (representing 25 per diem payments for attendance at board and committee meetings, and for required training days); and the remuneration for other citizen members is a combination of an annual honorarium of $8,750 plus a per diem payment of $350 with a cap on total remuneration of $15,750 (representing 20 per diem payments for attendance at board and committee meetings, and for required training days).

Board Members are governed by a code of conduct.

How to apply to be on the Police Services Board

There are a number of ways you can become a Board member.
You can get appointed to the Board by

1. the Province,
2. the City of Toronto,
3. being the City of Toronto Mayor or designate,
4. being a City Councillor and elected by your fellow Councillors to serve on the Board.

The Police Services Act sets out who will be members of the Board. In Toronto, it states that three members will be appointed by the provincial government; one member will be the Mayor of Toronto (or designate); two members will be City of Toronto Councillors and one member will be a citizen selected by the City of Toronto Council.

Board members are governed by a Code of Conduct which establishes a minimum standard of conduct for Board members. For example:

7. Board members shall discharge their duties loyally, faithfully, impartially and according to the Act, any other Act and any regulation, rule or by-law, as provided in their oath or affirmation of office.

8. Board members shall uphold the letter and spirit of the Code of Conduct set out in this regulation and shall discharge their duties in a manner that will inspire public confidence in the abilities and integrity of the board.

9. Board members shall discharge their duties in a manner that respects the dignity of individuals and in accordance with the Human Rights Code and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Canada).

13. Board members shall refrain from engaging in conduct that would discredit or compromise the integrity of the board or the police force.

The Toronto Police Services Board has developed a policy on complaints that requires all complaints about Board members to be reviewed by the Board in a prescribed manner.

Complaints should be in writing, signed by the complainant and be sent to the Chair, Jim Hart, Toronto Police Services Board, 40 College Street, Toronto, M5G 2J3.

The Board has specific legislated responsibilities:

• determines, after consultation with the Chief of Police, objectives and priorities with respect to police services within the municipalities.
• establishes policies for the effective management of the police service.
• recruits and appoints the Chief and Deputy(s) of Police and annually determine their remuneration and working conditions.
• establishes guidelines for the administration of the public complaints system and receive quarterly reports on the subject.
• negotiates collective agreements.
• approves the capital and operating budget.

The Board is accountable to both the community and to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC).

Under the Police Services Act, OCPC can inquire into and report on the conduct or the performance of a member of a Police Services Board. After conducting its investigation, OCPC can hold a hearing and if they decide that a member of a Board is guilty of misconduct or is not performing or is incapable of performing the duties in a satisfactory manner, OCPC can remove or suspend the Board member.

Complaints against Board members should be directed to the Chair of OCPC.