Turns out the Toronto Police are no longer taking the position that former inspector Hank Idsinga was just trying to sell his book.
The Hank Effect has kicked in once again with the Toronto Police Service Board on Friday calling for an “independent inspection” into claims of antisemitism outlined in the former cop’s memoir.
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“Toronto Police Service Board chair Councillor Shelley Carroll announced today that the board has formally requested Ontario’s Inspectorate of Policing consider an expedited inspection relating to recent public allegations concerning antisemitism and broader organizational culture issues within the Toronto Police Service,” said a news release sent out by the councillor’s office.
Carroll had already told the Toronto Sun that she abhors antisemitism and said she was going to take the matter seriously.
Now she has taken it a step further.
“The board has heard clearly from members of Toronto’s Jewish community that these concerns need to be examined independently and credibly,” said Carroll.
Ontario’s Inspectorate of Policing has not had much time yet to comment. But it does fall within its purview.
Carroll feels this inspection is necessary.
“Residents should never have to question whether they’ll be treated fairly because of who they are or what community they belong to. People need confidence that policing in Toronto is professional, impartial, and free from bias.”
Called for third-party probe
This was something B’nai Brith Canada’s director of research and advocacy, Richard Robertson, called for immediately. He said the only way there would be any confidence in an investigation like this would be if it was run by a “third party.”
In his book The High Road: Confessions of Homicide Cop , Idsinga has a chapter highlighting what he called anti-Jewish sentiment, as well as anti-Black racism, coming from senior ranks.
At first, Toronto Police said: “Toronto Police will not comment on allegations being made as part of a book promotion.” They did send two detectives to his house with a letter asking Idsinga to come in for an interview with Professional Standards – something he turned down because this basically to him was the failed system trying to investigate itself.
But Carroll has made it clear she wants this probe to be independent.
“In its request, the board asked the Inspectorate to consider the following advice from community stakeholders: That there is an appointment of an external lead inspector, there are “expedited timelines” and an “examination of broader organizational culture and accountability issues where appropriate.”
A welcome decision
Michelle Stock, Centre of Israel and Jewish Affairs vice-president for Ontario, said, “We welcome the decision by the Toronto Police Services Board to formally request an independent inspection following engagement with the Jewish community. Public confidence in the Toronto Police Service depends on ensuring allegations of antisemitism are examined credibly, transparently, and without interference.”
Stock added, however, “throughout this process, the Jewish community must continue to be kept informed, officers must be able to raise concerns without fear of reprisal, and any recommendations to address systemic issues must be meaningfully implemented.”
Carroll made the important point there must be “confidentiality protections for participants; recommendations for corrective action if issues are identified, public reporting wherever legally permissible and consideration of impacts on community trust and public confidence.”
This is all a step in the right direction.
“Interesting,” said Idsinga upon hearing the news, adding he’s “glad Shelley is keeping on top of it.”
It’s certainly a better way to handle it than the original posture.
“The Inspectorate exists specifically to examine systemic policing concerns through an independent process grounded in expertise, accountability, and public confidence,” Carroll said. “That makes it the appropriate mechanism for this work.”
Rooting out antisemites or racists at the top of police service is vital work.