The Regional Municipality of York Police Service Board

Minutes of the Public Meeting

Subject to Board Approval

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Electronic and In-Person Meeting
Board Members:
  • S. Pellegrini, Chair, 
  • L. Jackson, Vice Chair, 
  • W. Perchal, 
  • L. Fazel, 
  • and J. Taylor 
Staff:
  • A. Basant Sisavang, Executive Director, 
  • J. Kogan, Board Manager, 
  • R. Kelly, Policy Analyst, 
  • M. Ryan, Administrative Assistant, 
  • J. MacSween, Chief of Police, 
  • A. Almeida, Deputy Chief of Police, 
  • C. Hammond, Deputy Chief of Police, 
  • K. McCloskey, Deputy Chief of Police, 
  • J. Channell, Executive Director, Financial Services and Administration, 
  • J. Fraser, General Counsel, Legal Services, 
  • V. Aguiar, Executive Director, People, Wellness and Talent, 
  • and D. Kuzmyk, Regional Solicitor and General Counsel 

The Board Chair called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

The Board Chair made the following remarks:

“On behalf of the Board, we acknowledge that York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations.

Today this area is home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land. We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community.”

  • Moved ByVice Chair Jackson
    Seconded ByMr. Perchal

    That the Board confirm the minutes for the public session of the meeting held on March 26, 2025, in the form supplied to the members.

    Carried

Inspector Steer and Sergeant Ho presented the 2024 Annual Use of Force Report to the Board. In 2023, York Regional Police (YRP) began working collaboratively with the Ontario Police College and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to improve data validation procedures and increase transparency to YRP's application of force. This unique partnership allows YRP to access the organization's use of force data directly from the Ministry following its review and verification processes.

In 2024, York Regional Police officers responded to 405,726 calls for service. Of those, 269 incidents, involving 372 subjects, led to the application of force. YRP encountered 254 armed subjects, including 181 subjects who were armed with a firearm, 55 subjects who were armed with an edge weapon, 12 subjects who were armed with a blunt force object and six subjects who utilized a vehicle as a weapon. YRP’s use of force incident rate sits at 0.066 percent, well below the Canadian national estimate of 0.10 percent. Between 2020 to 2024, YRP has seen a 188 percent increase in firearm-related encounters. In 2024, de-escalation methods were used in 90.8 percent of use of force incidents, over five percent more than in 2023. This improvement is a result of officer training to enhance officer capabilities. YRP’s use of force incidents remains the lowest in the GTA despite the increases in interactions with armed subjects.

  • Moved ByMr. Perchal
    Seconded ByMr. Fazel

    That the presentation be received. 

    Carried

None

  • Moved ByVice Chair Jackson
    Seconded ByMr. Perchal

    That the Board receive the correspondence from Ryan Teschner, Inspector General of Policing of Ontario, dated April 1, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved ByVice Chair Jackson
    Seconded ByMr. Perchal

    That the Board receive the correspondence from Crime Stoppers of York Region regarding the 2025 Crime Stoppers of York Region Appreciation Dinner, dated April 15, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved ByMayor Taylor
    Seconded ByMr. Fazel

    That the Board receive the following recommendation contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

    1. That the Board receives this report for information.

    Carried
  • Moved ByMayor Taylor
    Seconded ByMr. Fazel

    That the Board receive the following recommendation contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

    1. That the Board receive this report for information.

    Carried
  • Moved ByVice Chair Jackson
    Seconded ByMr. Perchal

    That the Board adopt the following recommendations contained in the Report of the Executive Director:

    1. That the Board approve the following disbursements from the Board’s Public Relations Fund, as detailed in this report:
      1. $5,000 from the Board’s Public Relations Fund in support of Ontario Women in Law Enforcement; and
      2. $10,000 from the Board’s Public Relations Fund in support of the Canadian Association of Police Governance; and
      3. $10,000 from the Board’s Public Relations Fund in support of the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards.
    2. That the Board approve that future support of the OAPSB and CAPG police governance events be included in the Board’s operating budget.
    Carried
  • Moved ByMr. Perchal
    Seconded ByMr. Fazel

    That the Board receive the following recommendation contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

    1. That the Board receive this annual report pursuant to Use of Force Board Policy No. 01/14.  

    Carried
  • Moved ByVice Chair Jackson
    Seconded ByMr. Perchal

    That the Board adopt the following recommendations contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

    1. That the Board approve the direct purchase from Cummins Canada ULC of generator maintenance and repair services for a total cost of $320,215.00 excluding Harmonized Sales Tax; and
    2. That the Chief of Police be authorized to award and execute the contract on behalf of the Board, subject to the approval of The Regional Municipality of York’s Regional Solicitor or designate, as to form and content; and
    3. Exercise the optional renewals at the sole option of the Chief of Police, subject to the contractor’s satisfactory performance, as determined by the Chief of Police.
    Carried
  • Moved ByVice Chair Jackson
    Seconded ByMr. Perchal

    That the Board receive the following recommendation contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

    1. That the Board receive this annual report and forward the attachment, Ontario Solicitor General, Annual Report Template, to the Ministry of the Solicitor General in accordance with O. Reg. 182/19.

    Carried
  • That the Board convene in Private Session for the purpose of considering confidential items pertaining to legal and personnel matters in accordance with section 44(2) of the Community Safety and Policing Act.

    The Board met in Private Session at 10:24 a.m. and reconvened in the Public Session at 11:24 a.m.

  • Moved ByMr. Perchal
    Seconded ByMr. Fazel

    That the Board rise and report from the Private Session.

    Carried
  • Moved ByMayor Taylor
    Seconded ByVice Chair Jackson

    That the Board adopt the following recommendations contained in the Reports of the Chief of Police:

    People, Wellness and Talent

    1. That the Board confirms the hiring of one civilian member of the police service, pursuant to section 37(1)(b) of the Community Safety and Policing Act;
    2. That the Board reclassify four officers pursuant to the 2021 Uniform Working Agreement.

    Sworn Officer Promotions

    1. That the Board approve the promotion of two Staff Sergeants/Detective Sergeants to the rank of Inspector effective dates of the promotions will be April 23, 2025.
    Carried

The Board had before it Bylaw No. 04-25. The Bylaw is necessary to confirm the proceedings of the Board at this meeting.

  • Moved ByVice Chair Jackson
    Seconded ByMr. Perchal

    That Bylaw No. 04-25, being “a Bylaw confirming the proceedings of the Board at this meeting,” be read and enacted.

    Bylaw No. 04-25 was read and enacted as follows:

    “To confirm the proceedings of the Board at this meeting.”

    Carried

The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.

___________________________

Anitra Basant Sisavang

Executive Director

____________________________

Steve Pellegrini

Chair

Minutes to be confirmed and adopted at the next regular meeting of the Board to be held on May 21, 2025.

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