Toronto Police Chief Advocates Rethinking Mental Health Crisis Response

Toronto’s police chief is calling for a fundamental shift in how the city handles mental health crisis calls. In a recent interview with CBC Toronto, Chief Myron Demkiw expressed the belief that mental health responses should be led by healthcare professionals rather than police officers. This statement marks a significant turning point in the ongoing discussion about the role of law enforcement in mental health interventions.

Historically, the Toronto Police Service has been the primary responder to mental health emergencies, often deploying officers alongside mental health nurses through the Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams (MCIT) program. Established in 2000, the MCIT combines police and healthcare expertise to provide immediate assessments and referrals to appropriate services for individuals experiencing crises. However, Demkiw argues that when it comes to mental health, the health sector should take the lead.

“I’m proposing that 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 stated, indicating a desire for a more collaborative approach to crisis intervention.

The need for this reevaluation comes in light of several tragic incidents involving police interactions with individuals in crisis. Notable cases include the deaths of Ejaz Choudry, D’Andre Campbell, and Regis Korchinski-Paquet, which have heightened scrutiny on the effectiveness and safety of police-led responses. In response to these concerns, the Toronto Police Service announced a review of the MCIT program in November, seeking to reduce reliance on police for mental health emergencies.

Nadine Ramadan, a spokesperson for the police, explained that the review aims to create space for alternative non-police response teams, particularly for non-violent mental health calls. This shift could enable police to focus on higher-risk situations while directing mental health emergencies to the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS), which was launched in 2022.

The TCCS has already demonstrated its efficacy, responding to over 38,000 calls since its inception, with many cases resolved without police involvement. According to city data, approximately 78 percent of TCCS calls transferred from 911 did not require police presence, showcasing the potential for a non-police led response model.

While some, like Clayton Campbell, president of the Toronto Police Association, express concern over the potential discontinuation of the MCIT program, others advocate for its integration with the TCCS. Campbell noted the importance of collaboration rather than elimination, stating, “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, supports Demkiw’s view that police involvement in mental health crises should be minimized. Davis emphasized that healthcare professionals should lead interventions in most cases, with police stepping in only when necessary for safety.

As discussions around the future of the MCIT program continue, Stephanie Sayer, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, confirmed that no final decisions have been made. Consultations with various stakeholders are ongoing to determine the best path forward for mental health crisis responses in Toronto.

As the city grapples with the complexities of mental health, the outcome of this review could redefine emergency response protocols and reshape the relationship between policing and healthcare in addressing mental health crises.