Toronto Police union votes 'no confidence' in Chief Saunders

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A vote by members of the Toronto Police Association shows a lack of confidence in the leadership of Chief Mark Saunders.

Eighty-six per cent of those who responded to the survey voted no confidence in Saunders, however, only 47% of the association’s 5,400 members took part in the symbolic polling — the results of which were released Thursday.

Issues such as staffing levels were contentious with the TPA.

The vote shows the frustration of officers, TPS President Mike McCormack said.

“Frontline staffing is critical and the police services board continues to dismiss that,” he said.

The vote turnout was good compared to voting numbers in such things as a municipal election, McCormack said, adding there is no spin here.

“We need to hire the right amount of people…the public should be concerned of wait (call) times,” he said. “We have reached a breaking point.”

“We have never taken the position that we don’t need to modernize…but there is the reality of officer safety and the ball is in their court,” McCormack added.

The Chief — who pointed out this is an election year at the TPA — said he is taking the no confidence vote “in context.”

“Modernization is important and I stand by it. We need to make changes and adjustments as we move forward,” Saunders said, adding the city is in the process of hiring 80 new cops.

“I’ve had conversations with frontline officers and I continue to listen…It’s a matter of looking at everything,” he said. “We have to utilize skills in the proper direction. As things start to get executed officers will see something tangible.”

The Toronto Police Services Board says it “unequivocally” supports Saunders.

“The board stands behind Chief Saunders. The board will continue to work with Chief Saunders to ensure that the Toronto Police Service is, and continues to be, an organization of excellence, and an organization committed to positive change and growth, and Toronto’s continued status as one of the safest big cities in the world,” board chair Andy Pringle said in a statement at Thursday’s monthly board meeting.

“We know that modernization of our police service is necessary. We also know that it is difficult,” he said. “We are keenly aware of the challenges this substantial change poses for our members, both uniform and civilian, as well as their families.”

kconnor@postmedia.com