Introduction: commentaries on policing in Toronto.

• Author: Roberts, Julian V.

From time to time this journal examines in greater detail issues of particular importance to criminology and criminal justice in Canada. One such issue is clearly the implications of a series of articles published by the Toronto Star in 2002 and available on the Star's Web site. For example, on 20 October 2002, a headline in the newspaper proclaimed that "Police Target Black Drivers." The actual story told a somewhat different tale, using much more equivocal language: "Star analysis ... suggests racial profiling" (emphasis added). An article published on 1 March also takes a more tentative posture. Speaking of the series, the article notes that "What we didn't do is draw any firm conclusions." But if "Police Target Black Drivers" isn't a firm conclusion, what is?

The Star's conclusions have, not surprisingly, been hotly contested by police representatives in Toronto. In 2003, the Toronto Police Service released a review of the Star's research that concluded that "the results do not provide evidence of systemic racial profiling being practiced by the Toronto Police Service" (Harvey, 2003: 3). (1) The reaction is understandable; if these allegations are founded, public confidence in the police, and indeed, the justice system, will be dealt an irreparable blow. This is one reason why it is vital that the research on which such allegations rests must be impeccable. Documenting the existence of discrimination is a very tricky business. In addition to the complex statistical challenges, it is important that the research be conducted (1) by individuals who have considerable experience in the area and (2) by individuals who have taken no a priori position with respect to the issue.

The public must be understandably confused by the wealth of claims and counter-claims with respect to this issue. One way of clarifying matters would be through the use of a judicial inquiry, drawing upon a select group of researchers who are clearly impartial. Such...