July 7, 1998
TO:Strategic Policies & Priorities Committee
FROM:Norman Gardner, Chairman
Toronto Police Services Board
SUBJECT:Paying Cash for Paid Duty Officers - Caribana
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the following report be received for information.
Council Reference/Background History:
At its meeting on June 18, 1998, the Toronto Police Services Board was in receipt of the
following report MAY 26, 1998 from David J. Boothby, Chief of Police:
"SUBJECT:PAYING CASH FOR PAID DUTY OFFICERS - CARIBANA
RECOMMENDATION:THAT the Board receive the report in response to their request
for information.
BACKGROUND:
On Tuesday, April 14, 1998, the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee had before it a
report (April 14, 1998) from the Municipal Grants Committee, as a result of its meeting held
earlier in the day, regarding financial support to the Caribbean Cultural Committee and
Caribana.
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee referred the following recommendation
contained in the report back to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee:
"That the Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board be requested to report to Council on
April 28, 1998, on why Paid Duty Officers have to be paid up front in cash for Caribana."
When Chairman Gardner received this request on April 28, 1998, he forwarded it on to me,
requesting that the Service prepare a report and submit it to the June Board meeting.
The following information describes the circumstances surrounding the issue and the
collaboration involved in addressing the concern in a manner satisfactory to all parties.
Prior to 1992 the Caribbean Cultural Committee found payments difficult to manage and as
a result several officers who had been contracted to work Paid Duties for the Caribbean
Cultural Committee were not paid.
This information spread throughout the Toronto Police Service during the planning of the
1992 Caribana Parade and officers refused to do any further paid duties for the Caribbean
Cultural Committee. Concerns were shared between the Police Service and the Caribbean
Cultural Committee.
Through consultation and collaboration, the Caribbean Cultural Committee and the Toronto
Police Service came to an agreed solution. This resulted in a letter of understanding
outlining a paid duty payment practice that has been followed since its implementation in
the summer of 1992.
This letter and practice allows for cash payment of all Paid Duties contracted by the
Caribbean Cultural Committee from the gate receipts collected during the Olympic Island
Arts Festival.
Collection of the funds are supervised by two members of Finance and Administration, and
then transported for deposit into an account at the Toronto Police Credit Union. Monies
owed are then distributed from this account.
Cash is not provided in advance of any Caribana paid duty service. It is collected through
mutual agreement to assist the Caribbean Cultural Committee to manage Paid Duty
payments. This procedure has worked well since 1992, to the mutual satisfaction of the
Toronto Police Service and the Caribbean Cultural Committee.
In the report from the Municipal Grants Committee to the Strategic Policies and Priorities
Committee, recommendation (A)(d)(v) reads:
"the CCC will need to provide payment in advance for services of the City Departments.
This has been implemented in the past and ensures that such services do not become a CCC
liability. In the event payments are difficult to manage, the CCC may wish to relinquish a
portion of its City grant to pay for City services. Such an approach has been used in the past
quite successfully"
If the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and City Council adopt and implement
recommendation (A)(d)(v), setting aside a portion of the City grant for Paid Duty Officers, I
would support that recommendation as a replacement for the Letter of Understanding
between the Toronto Police Service and the Caribbean Cultural Committee.
However, until that recommendation is finalized, adopted and implemented I will continue
to support our current paid duty practice and agreement with the Caribbean Cultural
Committee.
Sergeant Tom Russell, Central Field Command Planning Office (8-5021) will be in
attendance to answer any questions."
Conclusions:
The Board received the foregoing.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Sergeant Tom Russell, Central Field Command, Toronto Police Service, 808-5021.
Respectfully submitted,
Norman Gardner
Chairman
cc:Sgt. Tom Russell, Central Field Command
A:\cashpay.doc
