Toronto Police to expand neighborhood community officer program

Torontonians will soon be seeing more police officers in neighborhoods across the city.

On Saturday morning, Interim Police Chief James Ramer and Mayor John Tory will attend an open house in North York's 31st Ward, where they will share more details about the expansion of the Neighborhood Community Officer Program (NCOP).

First launched in 2013, this initiative aims to strengthen community ties to prevent, reduce and create long-term solutions to crime and disorder.

The idea here is to make the district's community workers, who currently work in all 16 police stations, visible, present and accessible. Some of the ways they develop relationships with individuals and groups in the community are by holding “coffee with the police” events. Police also visit schools, attend local events and meet with area business owners.

“It's a program that works,” Tory said, adding that ultimately NCOP's goal is to “build relationships,” “understand” the needs of the community and why crime is happening there, and most importantly, “build trust.” “

Ramer said community-based policing also fosters accountability between community members and Toronto Police Service officers.

“Since we started the Neighborhood Specialist program in 2013, we've seen our relationship improve and grow,” he said, adding that improvements made to it in 2019 will further advance those goals.

“Community members have told us they feel safe and welcome our presence and that our members are a part of everyday life in the community.”

With this latest expansion, Toronto Police's 208 NCOP officers will now serve 51 of Toronto's 158 identified precincts. The 13 newly added districts, which will see 52 more officers on foot, include Rockcliffe-Smith (12 divisions), Parkdale South (14 divisions), New Toronto (22 divisions), Elms-Old Rexdale (23 divisions). York University Heights (Division 31), Clanton Park and Englemount-Lawrence (Division 32), Dorset Park (Division 41), Eglinton East and Golfdale-Cedarbrae-Woburn (Division 43), Harbourfront-City Place (Division 53) and Danforth and Taylor-Massey (section 55). A complete list of District Community Officers by Division can be found on the TPS website.