Head of Toronto police union warns members about 'subjective anti-racism lens'

The head of the Toronto Police Association is warning front-line officers that their actions could be “subject to review through a subjective anti-racism lens” and to take “all precautions necessary” to avoid being exposed to “undue jeopardy.”

In a letter sent to the 7,000 members of his union on Tuesday night, Mike McCormack referenced the recent implementation of provide-wide regulations on street checks as well as a motion that was passed unanimously at city council, calling for a review of the Special Investigations Unit through “an anti-black racism lens.”

“Be aware that even if you carry out your duties lawfully, to the best of your ability and training and requirements of law, your actions may be subject to review through a subjective anti-racism lens,” McCormack writes. “The association questions how our members can effectively carry out their duties if they don't have the confidence and support from the TPSB, city council and the province.”

McCormack’s letter comes amid ongoing tensions over the result of an SIU investigation that cleared Toronto police of wrongdoing in the shooting death of Andrew Loku.

The mentally ill man was shot and killed last July while allegedly wielding a hammer inside his apartment.

Following news that the officer who fired the fatal shots wouldn’t be charged, the Toronto chapter of Black Lives Matter staged a 15-day protest outside police headquarters to protest the result of the SIU investigation and to raise attention around the issue of police brutality, specifically as it pertains to the black community.

At one point Premier Kathleen Wynne told the protesters that she believes that there is “systemic racism in our society,” outraging McCormack.

“Continue to do your job as best you can in accordance with the law, recognizing that legislation/policy changes may severely impact your ability to provide effective policing and expose you to unnecessary risk. Ensure that you take all precautions necessary to avoid exposing yourself to undue jeopardy,” the police union boss wrote in his letter on Tuesday.

Mayor John Tory has previously told CP24 that there are some “very serious issues” that have been raised by Black Lives Matter protesters. Tory, however, has said that he will only meet with the group behind closed doors and not in public as they have requested.