FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2019

Press Release: UJA Federation and CIJA Commend Enhancements to Toronto’s Neighbourhood Community Officer Program

Toronto, ON – Today, Chief of Police Mark Saunders announced measures to strengthen Toronto Police Service’s Neighbourhood Community Officer Program (NCOP).

This program is valuable in providing support to local communities with unique needs. Among other changes, designated officers will now be assigned to a neighbourhood for at least four years and will benefit from enhanced community-centric training.

This announcement follows a meeting last month between UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA, UJA Federation’s advocacy agent), and Chief Saunders – in which the two Jewish organizations affirmed the valuable role played by Toronto Police officers tasked with supporting communities targeted by hate crime.

In response, Steven Shulman, Senior Vice President of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, issued the following statement:

“We applaud Chief Saunders and Toronto Police Services for this vital investment in the security and well-being of local communities. For UJA Federation’s Community Security team, a close relationship with law enforcement is crucial to our work in supporting local Jewish institutions. We have gained immense value from our partnership with Toronto Police Service, with whom we are in regular communication. This relationship will only be strengthened by today’s announcement, which will benefit a diversity of communities facing challenges throughout the GTA.”

Noah Shack, Vice President (Greater Toronto Area) of CIJA, added:

“We welcome today’s announcement and are grateful for the leadership shown by Chief Saunders and Toronto Police Service. CIJA has advocated for greater resources for police community liaison units across Canada. By equipping designated officers with the training, resources, and mandate to support at-risk segments of society, police remain essential partners in countering hate and ensuring our cities remain home to thriving and secure communities.”

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto