Background

From an anti-racism and equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization perspective, the Security Services Review identified a fundamental dilemma:

Reducing the disproportionate involvement of police on campus, a concern for many equity-deserving groups.  The report recommends considering the limited deployment of security staff with special constable powers. Special constables are considered sworn Peace Officers who take the same oath of office as a Police Officer and are granted all or some of the authorities of a police officer, depending on how their roles are defined and negotiated with local Police Services Boards.  It is notable that each special constable structure employed by Educational institutions is not the same, and there is considerable room to choose powers and authorities and design operational structures, constraints, and accountability mechanisms as desired.   However, this approach also raises concerns among other equity-deserving groups, particularly Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities, due to the potential for increased use-of-force capabilities.

Recommendation 1.8 from the Security Services Review calls for a focused review and consultation to explore this possibility while mitigating negative impacts. This requires inclusive engagement, particularly with Black, Indigenous, and other racialized groups, to ensure that safety measures align with community values and priorities.

This is why we are shifting to a broader consultation model; one that prioritizes transparency, equity, and meaningful participation from all key partners across the university.  Our goal is to identify a resolution that maximizes safety while respecting the diverse needs of our community.