ABOUT

What is the Community Assessment of Police Practices?
The Community Assessment of Police Practices (CAPP) is a community-based research initiative that is examining community satisfaction with police-community interactions in the City of Toronto.

Why does CAPP exist?

In recent years, community consultations conducted by the Toronto Police Services Board have identified concerns about the manner in which police officers interact with community members. Recent police data has shown that certain communities such as the Black community experience more frequent stops and ‘carding’ by Toronto police officers. The Community Contacts Policy was revised in April 2014 to respond to such concerns. Our current research will examine if the revised policy is addressing the concerns raised about the previous policy. The findings will provide information to police and communities with the aim of improving policing.

What are CAPP’s Values?

• We believe that all Torontonians have the right to live, work and play in their community while being treated fairly by their police services.
• We believe that when community members see the police as fair and impartial public servants who are dedicated to the task of protecting people and property, there is greater public trust in the police.
• We believe that a positive and cooperative partnership between the police and the community is one that is based on a fair balance between the need to ensure public safety and the protection of individuals’ legal rights.

What is CAPP’s Research Approach?
CAPP is committed to a participatory action research approach that seeks to fully involve community members in deciding what to research, how to carry out such research, and what to do with the research findings. A Community Advisory Committee that includes diverse community stakeholders oversees CAPP, and our Research Team includes community and academic researchers, university students and local community residents.

Check out our Get Involved page to see how you can contribute.

How will CAPP use the Findings from the Summer 2014 Research?
CAPP will share the findings with the Toronto Police Services Board. As a Community-Based Research initiative, CAPP will also share the findings with the public and work with the community to take action that responds to the findings.