Toronto’s police chief is apologizing for feedback he made within the wake of a not responsible verdict within the loss of life of a police officer, whereas town’s police service board chair referred to as for cooler heads to prevail because the service wrestles with the fallout of the case.
Chief Myron Demkiw stated he regrets wishing for a special end result within the case in opposition to Umar Zameer outdoors the courthouse earlier this month.
“As you realize, it’s been a very tough week for our service and our members, and likewise there have been some painful public conversations,” Demkiw stated.
“I totally perceive the issues which have been expressed, and I’ve been reflecting on my feedback because the chief of police. I apologize for my first phrases within the moments outdoors the courthouse.
“I need to be very clear that I settle for and respect the choice of the jury. As I’ve stated again and again, closure can by no means come on the expense of justice,” he stated.
The feedback from the management got here within the first Toronto Police Providers Board assembly after Umar Zameer was acquitted of first-degree homicide within the 2021 loss of life of Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup, in a listening to the place the choose highlighted to the jury potential collusion amongst witness officers whose testimony didn’t match bodily proof.
However these feedback are an indication the police management hasn’t taken significantly how damaging the conduct within the Zameer case is to the popularity of the police service, stated Rahim Shakir of the Canadian Civil Liberties Affiliation.
“It’s essential that each the board and the board chair play a public and visual function in responding to a disaster of public belief on this nature,” Shakir stated in an interview.
“Cooler heads prevailing implies that as an alternative of reflexively defending a chief of police, an oversight physique would say they see and listen to the general public’s issues and may reply,” Shakir stated.
Zameer’s laywer had identified at courtroom that Zameer was visiting downtown Toronto for Canada Day together with his pregnant spouse and little one when Northrup was run over by his BMW. He thought he was being attacked and drove off, with out realizing Northrup and his companion have been plainclothes cops or realizing that he had run over Northrup.
Regardless that Zameer’s spouse had given a press release to the police within the early morning following the crash, none of that data was relayed by then police chief James Ramer, who instructed media that Zameer was accused of an “intentional and deliberate act.”
Showing just about on the assembly, board chair Ann Morgan stated she helps the evaluations proposed by Demkiw, one on the investigation itself by the OPP, and one other on plainclothes insurance policies, and referred to as Northrup’s loss of life a “horrible tragedy.”
“I need to add that within the final brief whereas there have been many charged and emotional views on this matter. I’m asking our group to let cooler heads prevail,” she stated.
Umar Zameer and his attorneys stroll away from the courthouse following his not responsible verdict, in Toronto, Sunday, April 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
