By Canadian Press

New Ottawa police chief vows vigilance on racial bias, discrimination

Nov 20, 2019 | 12:11 PM

Ottawa police Chief Peter Sloly says new traffic-stop data and the results of a diversity audit show more steps are needed to ensure bias-free law enforcement in the nation’s capital.

Sloly, who became the city’s top cop late last month, says the police force is committed to doing all it can to address community and member concerns about discrimination.

A new report covering 2017-18, a follow-up to earlier research, shows Middle Eastern and black drivers continue to experience disproportionately high incidences of traffic stops by Ottawa police.

However, the total number of people pulled over for traffic violations by Ottawa police declined by 35 per cent from 2013 to 2018.

Researchers say the drop is significant since consultations several years ago found that minorities felt they were subject to excessive scrutiny by police.

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The diversity audit concludes that while the Ottawa force is making some progress, there is still work to do in areas including leadership, policy, promotional processes and community policing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2019.

The Canadian Press