Toronto Police Chief Calls for Reform in Mental Health Crisis Response

Toronto’s approach to handling mental health crisis calls is under scrutiny following remarks by Myron Demkiw, the city’s police chief. In an interview with CBC Toronto, Demkiw indicated that police should not lead these calls, advocating for a reassessment of the role of law enforcement in mental health emergencies.

For over two decades, the Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams (MCIT) program has paired police officers with mental health nurses to respond to urgent mental health situations. Established in 2000, the program aims to provide immediate mental health assessments and support. Demkiw now suggests that these calls should be led by health professionals, stating, “If mental health is a health issue, then mental health calls should be led by the health sector, and the police should be there to the extent that it’s necessary for safety.”

Demkiw’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of the MCIT program, particularly following several tragic incidents involving police responses to mental health crises. High-profile cases, such as the deaths of Ejaz Choudry and D’Andre Campbell, have raised concerns about the appropriateness of police involvement in such situations. In response to these incidents, the Toronto Police Service has announced a review of the MCIT program.

The review aims to explore alternative responses to mental health crises. Nadine Ramadan, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, highlighted that the goal is to “make room for alternative non-police response teams.” This would allow law enforcement to focus on violent and high-risk calls while directing non-violent mental health emergencies to the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS), which began operations in 2022.

The TCCS has already managed over 38,000 calls since its inception, with a significant portion of these handled without police intervention. According to city data, 78 percent of TCCS calls transferred from 911 were resolved without police involvement, indicating a growing capacity for mental health professionals to handle crises independently.

Discussions surrounding the future of the MCIT program have sparked mixed reactions. Clayton Campbell, president of the Toronto Police Association, expressed disappointment regarding the lack of consultation regarding potential changes. He emphasized that collaboration between the MCIT and TCCS would be essential in addressing the mental health crisis in the city. “It’s not an either or scenario,” Campbell stated. “When you’re looking at mental health, it’s truly an epidemic in this city. Why remove a tool from the toolbox?”

Conversely, Susan Davis, executive director of the Gerstein Crisis Centre, aligns with Demkiw’s viewpoint. She advocates for a reduction in police involvement in mental health interventions, suggesting that police are not typically at the forefront of health crisis responses. Davis believes that while collaboration is important, the focus should be on non-police solutions for mental health emergencies.

As the Toronto Police Service continues to evaluate the MCIT program, stakeholders are engaged in ongoing consultations to determine the best path forward. Stephanie Sayer, a TPS spokesperson, confirmed that no decisions have been finalized, and discussions with various stakeholders are still in progress.

The potential shift in how mental health crises are managed reflects a growing acknowledgment of the complexities involved. As the city explores new models for crisis intervention, the emphasis remains on ensuring that individuals in distress receive the appropriate support while maintaining public safety.