Protests prompt 3 city councillors to call for 'fair and transparent' police investigations

Three Toronto city councillors are callingon the province to ensurepolice services and investigations are fair and transparent, as activists continue to protest againstthe fatal police shooting of a black man in the city last year.

MikeLayton,KristynWong-Tam, andGordPerks have drafted a motion, whichwill be submitted to city council on March 31. Ithas been posted onCoun.Layton's website.

It's in response to what the motion calls "a growing movement in Toronto" pushing for a review of"the provision of police services and the work of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU)," which investigates incidents involving police where civilians are killed or injured.

The motion summary states:"Black Lives Matter, community outreach workers and mental health agencies have all been speaking out and telling us that people are not being treated justly."

• Black Lives Matter protesters demand answers as group moves to Toronto police HQ
• Black Lives Matter protest continues at Nathan Phillips Square

This past week, members of Black Lives Matter Toronto held protests at Nathan Phillips Square and infront of Toronto Police Headquarters over a decision by the SIUnot to recommendcharges againstthe Toronto police officer involved in the shooting death of Andrew Loku in July of 2015.

The threecouncillorswant city council to ask"the Premier,the Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism and the new Anti-Racism Directorate, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to review the followingwith an anti-black racism and anti-racism lens":

• The waypolice services are provided inToronto; and ...
• How the Special Investigations Unit dealscases that involve peoplefrom "racialized communities."

The councilors' want the review process to include public consultationwith the affected communities.