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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Blue Mountains, ON - The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is proud to announce that the Toronto Police College is the recipient of the 2025 OACP Award of Excellence in the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Policing. This prestigious honour recognizes the College’s groundbreaking efforts in creating innovative training to address systemic bias and strengthen relationships between police and Toronto’s diverse communities.
In 2024, the Toronto Police College launched two pioneering e-learning courses: Foundations of Islam and Addressing Islamophobia and Foundations of Judaism and Understanding Antisemitism. These first-of-their-kind programs within the Canadian policing sector reflect the Toronto Police Service’s (TPS) deep commitment to fostering inclusion, cultural competence, and human rights awareness across its ranks.
The courses were co-developed in collaboration with community organizations, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, subject matter experts, and equity and human rights training professionals. Rooted in lived experiences, the curriculum promotes empathy, reflection, and actionable knowledge to help officers recognize personal biases, understand the impact of hate and discrimination, and engage more respectfully with all members of the public.
Designed with frontline policing realities in mind, the modules equip officers with essential cultural and legal knowledge underpinned by frameworks such as the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They prepare officers to respond professionally and sensitively in high-pressure, complex situations—supporting safer and more respectful interactions on the job.
Since their release, the courses have been completed more than 13,000 times by TPS members, demonstrating a remarkable level of engagement. Recognizing the courses’ national impact, the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) has partnered with TPS to distribute the training to 176 police services across Canada in both English and French. The program has also garnered attention from the Federal Government of Canada and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, highlighting its global relevance.
The OACP congratulates the Toronto Police College for this well-deserved recognition and for its leadership in building a more inclusive, informed, and community-focused policing environment.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from the Accident Support Services International Limited.
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Please direct media inquiries to:
Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations and Communications
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
416-919-9798
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