Toronto Police examining name tag policy citing officer safety concerns
The TPS is reconsidering a requirement that officers wear name tags, citing online targeting risks. The RCMP made a similar change in March.
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Toronto Police Service is examining whether to let officers wear regimental numbers instead of name tags, citing concerns about online targeting and officer safety.
The TPS made no formal policy changes yet, but is studying the issue "in light of similar safety concerns" after the RCMP updated its policy in March. RCMP officers can now display a regimental number instead of a personal name on their uniforms. The RCMP said the change "enhances member safety by reducing the exposure of personal identifying information in an increasingly digital environment."
Stephanie Sayer, TPS spokesperson, said the force recognizes "increasing concerns around the online identification and targeting of police officers, including the potential impact on members and their families."
The Toronto Police Service Board has final say on any changes. Bridget Cherry, senior advisor to the board, said any proposal would go through a public process: "Should a proposed change come before the Board, it would be considered through the Board's public meeting agenda and an opportunity for members of the community to make deputations."
TPS officers have worn name tags since 2006, when the board decided they humanize officers and hold them accountable. That requirement was tested during the G20 summit protests in 2010, when 90 TPS officers removed their name tags during the weekend. The Office of the Independent Police Review Director documented over 1,100 arrests that weekend — the largest mass arrests in Canadian history.
University of Toronto criminology professor Patrick Watson said Radio on Tuesday: "There were incredible difficulties in identifying those police officers, and those incidents largely went under-investigated as a consequence."
Halton, York and Peel police forces all said they have no plans to reconsider their name tag policies.
If name tags are removed, how will the TPS track and investigate complaints against individual officers?
What evidence does TPS have that name tags have led to officer targeting or harassment?
Will the public have a meaningful window to weigh in on this change before the board votes?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did the RCMP change its name tag policy?
The RCMP updated its policy in March, allowing officers to display a regimental number instead of a personal name on their uniforms.
Since when have Toronto Police officers been required to wear name tags?
Toronto Police officers have worn name tags since 2006, when the Toronto Police Service Board decided they humanize officers and hold them accountable.
What happened to name tags during the 2010 G20 summit protests?
Ninety Toronto Police officers removed their name tags during the G20 summit protests weekend in 2010, during which the Office of the Independent Police Review Director documented over 1,100 arrests — the largest mass arrests in Canadian history.
