Tweet
Toronto Police to Get 'Gay' Sensitivity Training
Police to get gay sensitivity training
By KIRK MAKIN
Toronto Globe and Mail
12/19/2004
TORONTO - All current and future Toronto police officers will be given training on gay and lesbian sensitivity under an unprecedented settlement of litigation that erupted after a controversial bathhouse raid in 2000.
The Toronto Police Service will also pay $350,000 to a group of lesbian complainants, with the money going toward specific charities and to cover legal fees.
The unique settlement ends one of the most controversial events in the fitful history of relations between Toronto police and the city's thriving gay community.
Under the deal, everyone on the 7,260-member force - from rookie constables to the chief of police - will be required to take training that pays particular attention to searches involving the gay, lesbian and transgender communities.
The agreement was approved by the Toronto Police Services Board on Thursday. The settlement of the civil suit will not be complete until it receives court approval.
"It feels like the end of a very long journey," said J.P. Hornick, one of the complainants. "It has been a grueling process. On a personal level, I would have to use the word "vindication.' "
On Sept. 14, 2000, several police officers raided a special event at a lesbian bathhouse in which 355 scantily clad women were gathered, searching for possible liquor violations.
The officers allegedly entered private rooms and lingered in areas where the patrons' nudity was most evident.
Complainants alleged that their feelings of violation and intimidation were akin to being strip-searched.
The Toronto Women's Bathhouse Committee filed a human rights complaint, and several of its members also initiated a $1.5 million class-action lawsuit.
As part of the pending settlement, the complainants have agreed to drop the human rights complaint and their lawsuit against the Toronto Police Services Board.
By KIRK MAKIN
Toronto Globe and Mail
12/19/2004
TORONTO - All current and future Toronto police officers will be given training on gay and lesbian sensitivity under an unprecedented settlement of litigation that erupted after a controversial bathhouse raid in 2000.
The Toronto Police Service will also pay $350,000 to a group of lesbian complainants, with the money going toward specific charities and to cover legal fees.
The unique settlement ends one of the most controversial events in the fitful history of relations between Toronto police and the city's thriving gay community.
Under the deal, everyone on the 7,260-member force - from rookie constables to the chief of police - will be required to take training that pays particular attention to searches involving the gay, lesbian and transgender communities.
The agreement was approved by the Toronto Police Services Board on Thursday. The settlement of the civil suit will not be complete until it receives court approval.
"It feels like the end of a very long journey," said J.P. Hornick, one of the complainants. "It has been a grueling process. On a personal level, I would have to use the word "vindication.' "
On Sept. 14, 2000, several police officers raided a special event at a lesbian bathhouse in which 355 scantily clad women were gathered, searching for possible liquor violations.
The officers allegedly entered private rooms and lingered in areas where the patrons' nudity was most evident.
Complainants alleged that their feelings of violation and intimidation were akin to being strip-searched.
The Toronto Women's Bathhouse Committee filed a human rights complaint, and several of its members also initiated a $1.5 million class-action lawsuit.
As part of the pending settlement, the complainants have agreed to drop the human rights complaint and their lawsuit against the Toronto Police Services Board.
Comment