Anti-racism group calls for investigation into OPP recruit evaluations

An anti-racism group is demanding a police investigation into how the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) evaluates new recruits, following allegations of racial discrimination against three Black recruits. The Black Class Action Secretariat wants the province's inspector general of policing to examine the force's probationary evaluation and coaching practices, as well as any racial disparities in the force's probationary outcome data.

The group's director of advocacy emphasized that while the OPP has an internal office to ensure inclusive policies, they question whether these commitments are reflected in the actions of coach officers and probation files.

Three Black recruits, speaking under pseudonyms for fear of retaliation, alleged a "strikingly similar pattern of discrimination" during their year-long probation period. These recruits faced mockery and penalties for their accents and communication styles, as well as being disciplined for behaviors commonly observed in white officers. Two of the recruits were dismissed before completing their probation, while the third remains on medical leave.

Staff Sgt. Joe Brisebois, a spokesperson for the OPP, acknowledged receiving the concerns raised by the Black Class Action Secretariat and stated that the force takes these matters seriously. They are reviewing the concerns and committed to maintaining open, accessible, equitable, and respectful workplaces, free from discrimination and harassment.

One recruit, Paul, a Black officer who had earned two master's degrees and excelled at police college, claimed that his coach officer and colleagues ridiculed his accent and communication style. He also mentioned that his dismissal after 10 months of service stemmed from the negative treatment he faced. Another recruit, Peter, felt isolated when his sergeant mocked his pronunciation and made him repeat words in front of colleagues.

Peter was subsequently reprimanded for using his phone's GPS, which was a common practice among his white colleagues.

The third recruit, John, had spent a decade in the human service field before joining the OPP. He was the only Black recruit in his platoon, and felt that there was no trust or confidence in him from the start. John faced reprimands for using his phone's GPS, similar to his peers, and had his driving privileges taken away without explanation. Ultimately, he was dismissed two weeks before the end of his probation on the grounds that he was not a good fit.