‘Frustrated and Angered’: Police Associations Renew Call for Bail Reform After Toronto Shootout

Toronto Police officers walk the scene at Danforth St. at the scene of a shooting in Toronto, on July 23, 2018. Cole Burston/AFP via Getty Images

Ontario police associations are urging the federal government to tighten bail policies for repeat and violent offenders following a brazen gun battle in Toronto on Nov. 11, where bullets struck a police car with officers inside. Among the offenders was a minor with three prior firearms prohibitions, officials said.

The Police Association of Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and the Toronto Police Association are asking the federal government to implement stricter bail reforms “so repeat and violent offenders can’t continue to harm our communities while out on bail,” they said in a Nov. 13 joint statement.

The associations, representing 35,000 police members, said the recent incident, where officers were caught in a crossfire between two groups in an apparent gang-related conflict in Toronto’s west end, highlights the need for “urgent action.”

“Only through sheer luck were none of our members injured during this most recent incident. With dozens of bullets flying aimlessly, it could have ended differently for any innocent bystander,” said Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell in the statement.

“Our members are increasingly frustrated and angered as they continue risking their lives to apprehend repeat violent offenders. How many more incidents must occur before the federal government recognizes and responds to the urgent reality on our streets?”

In response to a previous joint letter from the premiers of all provinces and territories calling for a review of the country’s bail system earlier this year, the federal government said it has done its part to address bail-related concerns by passing Bill C-48 last year and by funding law enforcement and prevention efforts.

Gun Violence

In the latest incident, at around 11:20 p.m. on Nov. 11, Toronto police were in the area of Queen Street W. and Sudbury Street performing a bail compliance check when three people arrived in a stolen car and opened fire on a nearby recording studio and people gathered outside.

Nearly 100 shots were fired, police said, but no injuries were reported.

Officers arrested 23 people and seized 16 firearms. They took one of the suspects into custody, while two others fled the scene.

Officials said the incident appears to be a highly targeted gang-related conflict, but the investigation is ongoing.

In their joint statement, the police associations cited previous cases of offenders being re-arrested while on bail in Ontario. One was a man with a history of assaults who had previously breached bail conditions. He was re-arrested in Elliot Lake, Ont., in February for violating bail terms shortly after being released.

In another case, a man was arrested in August in Sarnia, Ont., on charges of auto theft and fleeing from police two days after being released for similar offences, officials said.

“The public expects that in the name of public safety, violent and repeat offenders will not be released on bail unless there is a compelling reason and a sensible plan to ensure that they are not at risk of reoffending while awaiting trial,” wrote the police associations.

“Effective bail reform must strike a balance between public safety and the rights of the accused.”