13-18 Anonymous Reporting of Discreditable Conduct

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

The Toronto Police Service (Service) recognizes that it is in the public interest to foster and maintain confidence in the honesty and integrity of the Service and its members. In order to achieve that goal, s. 1.3 of the Service Standards of Conduct (Standards of Conduct) directs members to report acts of discreditable conduct to a supervisor, a Unit Commander or the Unit Commander – Professional Standards (PRS) as soon as practicable. Further, s. 1.4 of the Standards of Conduct prohibits any acts of reprisal against any member who, in good faith, reports a breach of Service or Legislative Governance or an act of misconduct.
The Service also recognizes that there may be circumstances where members may be reluctant to identify themselves when reporting discreditable conduct. Therefore, PRS can receive information anonymously on a dedicated telephone line. The telephone number 416–343–7090 is available between the hours of 0800 and 1600 each business day.

Question 2

Procedure- General - The Anonymous Reporting of Discreditable Conduct Program (Program) allows for the

Answer 2

anonymous, good faith reporting of criminal activity or misconduct

Question 3

Procedure- General -This Procedure is not intended to replace the legislated criteria established in the Police Services Act, or the steps outlined for internal complaints governed by Chapter 13. Rather, this Procedure is intended to

Answer 3

supplement the foregoing and provide an avenue for members who want anonymity in relation to the information they may possess. To this end, the Service has introduced the Program to receive this information.

Question 4

Procedure- General -Before considering the use of the anonymous reporting system, members should be cautioned that the Service cannot guarantee

Answer 4

total anonymity from outside sources. In particular the courts may supersede any privilege extended by the Command to members. However, the Crime Stoppers Program can claim privilege from disclosing information based on a Supreme Court of Canada decision.

Question 5

Investigative Responsibility - Investigation of incidents containing information received through anonymous reporting SHALL be

Answer 5

exclusively assigned to members of the PRS.

Question 6

Protections - A member is prohibited from disclosing any information received from anonymous reporting that might

Answer 6

identify or tend to identify a person who made the disclosure, unless authorized to do so.

Question 7

Protections - Professional Standards investigators hold a supervisory rank and therefore a member utilizing the anonymous reporting process SHALL be deemed to be

Answer 7

in compliance with s. 1.3 of the Standards of Conduct.

Question 8

Member - When anonymously reporting information pertaining to an act of misconduct by another member, may report the information by way of the

Answer 8

dedicated telephone line at 416–343–7090.

Question 9

Member - Unless authorized to do so, SHALL not disclose any information received from

Answer 9

anonymous reporting that might identify or tend to identify a person who made the disclosure

Question 10

Member - Upon receiving a request for disclosure of information contained in a TPS 909 SHALL immediately direct the request to the attention of the

Answer 10

Unit Commander – Legal Services.

Question 11

Member – Professional Standards - When receiving information through anonymous reporting SHALL complete a

Answer 11

TPS 909.

Question 12

Investigator/Case Manager – Professional Standards - In addition to those duties specified in Procedures 13–02, 13–03 and 13–09 SHALL

Answer 12

 ensure the completed TPS 909 is not photocopied
 ensure the completed TPS 909 is placed in the unit file
 not remove the TPS 909 from the unit file unless directed by a court order
 refer to the information source in any subsequent reports, documents or records as the “anonymous police informant”

Question 13

Definitions - Misconduct

Answer 13

means any conduct that is contrary to or a breach of any Legislative or Service Governance or the Police Services Act.

Question 14

Definitions - Service Governance includes:

Answer 14

 Police Services Board Policies and By-laws
 Toronto Police Service Collective Agreements
 Standards of Conduct
 Service Governance Definitions
 Policy and Procedure Manual
 Routine Orders
 specialized manuals issued by the Chief of Police
 unit-specific policies issued by their Unit Commander
 CPIC messages, and
 directions from a superior.