Darren Atkinson

Train 2000 of our officers in crisis de-escalation strategy, mental health awareness and non-lethal intervention and other de-escalation methods. Every station, every shift - would have trained officers to sub into a crisis or confrontation to reduce the unnecessary use of force. Increase the size of the force and modernize with new technology that targets organised crime. I oppose any future plans to decriminalize possession of 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA in the City of Toronto. Meet with officers and walk the beat

Chloe-Marie Brown

1. Divert police funding to Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams (MCIT), Streets to Homes (S2H), crime analysts and peacekeepers to manage non-law enforcement emergencies and deploy culturally responsive de-escalation for persons with disabilities, racialized communities, and to divert more non-violent offenders away from cyclical incarceration 2.Help police services modernize threat response solutions to outpace attacker strategies 3.Improve community emergency response and management systems 4.Improve multi-level response with other governments

Drew Buckingham

I have my opinions. I could talk about community policing, police in kiosks instead of divisions, moving towards progressive policing using a decentralized approach. Rebuilding trust with all the citizens of this city. However, as important as an issue as this is, it is also not my major concern. Finding immediate ways of reducing child poverty is my priority. Reducing the number of hungry children in this city to zero is my priority. Locating the systemic and institutionalized cause of child poverty and eliminating them is my priority.

Sarah Climenhaga

Crime prevention must not be placed solely on the shoulders of the police, it is the responsibility of us all. We prevent crime when we make sure all residents have recreational and employment opportunities, and support for addiction and mental health. I want to discard old us against them attitudes when it comes to crime. The way forward is through regular communication between police and the communities they serve, the cultivation of strong communities, and bridge building relationships of trust and respect between officers and residents.

Phillip D'Cruze

The strategy right now that was changed 8 years ago is not working. We need to return to what was working before by consulting with professionals in this field, plus having community members of the various wards for their input. Not high dignitaries but everyday citizens. They live it so they would know it. Let's get young adults more involved with their communities by offering incentives and projects, show them that they can make a difference.

Cory Deville

The system cannot promote safety until residents & communities feel safe and confident within both the system and the officers that uphold it. We need to prioritize emotional intelligence into the fabric of how police are recruited, trained, evaluated, retained and promoted. This needs to occur in a manner that promotes & rewards transparency in process, immediately actionable corrections for police misconduct, and creates an environment that pursues community safety from the perspective of non-lethal deescalation by qualified officers.

Isabella Gamk

I believe the Toronto Police Services do not need War Horses in this day and age and I would cut their budget and use the money cut for Average Market Rent Housing initiatives. The police could use ebikes and bicycles instead of War Horses.

Robert Hatton

The City is poised to appoint a new Chief of Police. The decision is very important, because the Chief sets the tone for the force: to treat people with respect, to be cautious about the use of force, and to be open to change. Also, gun violence has not diminished under the current administration. We can continue to hope that others stop the infiltration of guns, or we can invest in communities so that our citizens believe they can achieve respect and success as part of society and reject a violent lifestyle.

Soaad Hossain

The next Mayor should change the approach to policing so that it works the way that it should and reflects Toronto Police's motto - their motto being "To Serve and Protect". To accomplish this, the next Mayor will need to work with Toronto Police and relevant parties such as non-profit organizations and safety advocates. The reason why they should make such a change is to help communities feel like they can trust the police and can go to them when they need assistance, and to help improve the relationship between the police and the public.

Khadijah Jamal

No more guns. I will go door to door if I have to, but only those with a professional reason to carry a weapon will be permitted (ie. law enforcement or military).

Tony Luk

Create and expand educational sensitivity programs and de-escalation strategies that all police personnel must attend. I would also expand the existing “neighborhood watch programs” and make them more efficient throughout the city. Our police should get to know their neighborhoods better and get outside support for addiction and mental health issues. The present police slogan “to save and protect” must become a reality by more officers walking a police beat and getting to know people in their neighborhoods.

Gil Penalosa

The City needs a more holistic approach to safety. I will put more funding into addressing the roots of violence: poverty, homelessness, mental health issues, addiction, racialization. People experiencing mental health crises, addiction, or homelessness will be met with a social worker there to help, not punish. At-risk youth will be provided with job skills, counselling, and spaces to socialize. Renters facing unlawful eviction will be provided with legal support. These initiatives will not only make people safer, but will save the City money.

Stephen Punwasi

Our plan starts with ensuring social services are funded, so people can get help. We tend to wait until these problems boil up and turn into one where the police are involved. Prevention is much better and more cost-effective than emergency mitigation. Our plan includes establishing a non-police entity to respond to non-criminal calls. This also allows our force to focus on more serious crime. We also plan to foster beneficial ownership at a municipal level. Opacity produces hotbeds of organized crime, and transparency sends it packing.

John Tory

I am committed to developing non-police alternatives and addressing the root causes of crime so that the police can better focus on preventing and fighting crime. I led City Hall in adopting a comprehensive approach to stopping gun violence that includes supporting police as they fight gun violence in our communities and investing in kids and families to address the root causes of gun violence.

Reginald Tull

We have to build a strong relationship with the police and the communities, and I believe that we must support our police and allow them to diligently do their jobs. At the same time we must hold those in position of authority responsible for any misuse of power (which also includes landlords and employers). We must build a trust between the community and the police, and this requires transparency. I am a full supporter of our police force and we must be tough on crime, especially violent crimes.

Jack Yan

Toronto's current lax approach to crime has resulted in skyrocketing violence in the city. According to TPS data, shootings are up 131% over the past seven years. This deterioration of community safety is the direct result of our timid approach to crime which has emboldened career criminals. As the Mayor of Toronto, I will stamp out crime by reinvigorating the TPS through better training, less bureaucracy, and the introduction of performance linked bonuses. Torontonians will be served only by officers capable of upholding the law.