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April 18, 2003
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Racial profiling ruling positive
step says Canadian Race Relations
Foundation
Canadian Press
TORONTO (CP) - The Canadian Race
Relations Foundation is applauding an Ontario Court of Appeal decision
that
ruled racial profiling exists in Toronto's police force, saying it sets
the
stage for discussions on how "to end racial profiling and racial
discrimination altogether."
"This is a
message loud and clear
from the province's highest court that racial profiling can not be
discounted
as a factor in police practices," foundation chairman Patrick Case said
in
a release Thursday.
"It is now
time to move beyond the
debate of whether racial profiling exists and speak frankly of real and
constructive solutions to be implemented."
The court
ordered a new trial Wednesday
for former Toronto Raptors basketball star Dee Brown, who maintains
that he was
pulled over in 1999 simply for being a black man driving a fancy car.
A 3-0 court
majority said Ontario Court
Judge David Fairgrieve had sufficient evidence to find that racial
profiling
was at play in Brown's arrest and that Fairgrieve had a negative view
of the
defence raising the issue.
"This is a
powerful incentive for us
to come together as members of the community and determine ways in
which
accountability in the police force can be strengthened," said Case.
Brown, now
34, was convicted in July 2000
of drunk driving by Fairgrieve, but Superior Court Justice Brian
Trafford
quashed that conviction and ordered a new trial last year. The Crown
appealed.
Brown
admitted he consumed a few drinks,
court heard.
The decision
drew criticism Wednesday from
Toronto Police union leader Craig Bromell, who said it will force
officers to
boycott pulling over minorities to protect themselves against profiling
allegations.
But Police
Chief Julian Fantino said he
was confident his officers "carry out their duties fairly,
professionally
and ethically" despite the decision and Bromell's boycott call.
"Racial
profiling is totally
unacceptable, repugnant and inappropriate. There is no systemic racial
profiling on our force."
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