Chiefs of Police Release Recommendations to Reduce Violent Offences and the Impact on Communities
Region of Peel – Peel Regional Police and the Peel Police Service Board hosted Ontario’s first policing-led Victims and Survivors Symposium, bringing together victims, survivors, community partners, and police services to address the impacts of violent crime and repeat offenders, highlight systemic gaps, and call for change.
As part of the symposium, the Chiefs of Police from Peel, Durham, Halton, and York released recommendations to strengthen bail reform, improve access to supports for victims and survivors, and advance legislative changes to address violent crimes and reduce harm.
The recommendations, shaped by the voices of victims and survivors and informed by collaboration with community partners, are available online.
More than 250 participants attended the symposium, highlighting the shared lived experiences of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, home invasions, and homicide.
Discussions focused on the immediate and long-term impacts on victims, survivors, and their families, the effect on overall community safety, and the systemic gaps and funding shortfalls that continue to create barriers to maintaining community safety.
The symposium was delivered in partnership with Durham Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, and York Regional Police, alongside community organizations including the Safe Centre of Peel, Our Place Peel, Victim Services of Peel, and EFry.
Peel Regional Police remains committed to addressing repeat violent crime and continues to work with all levels of government to advance legislative, policy, and resource reforms that close gaps in the bail system.
For more information, please visit www.peelpolice.ca/vss.
QUOTES
"Supporting victims and survivors is at the core of building safer communities. This symposium brings together voices from across the justice system, community organizations, and support networks to ensure that victims’ needs are front and centre in how we shape bail reform, public safety, and accountability. The Peel Police Service Board remains committed to advancing solutions that protect victims, strengthen community supports, and build lasting confidence in our justice system.”
-Chair Nando Iannicca, Peel Police Service Board
“Our current bail system has critical gaps that allow repeated violence to persist, putting the safety of our communities at risk. We remain committed to listening to and advocating for victims and survivors, and to working with all levels of government to drive meaningful change – ensuring access to proper supports and services and breaking the cycle of crime.”
-Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police
“Supporting victims and survivors of crime must always be our top priority. It is deeply concerning when individuals with repeated bail violations are able to continue harming our community. We need meaningful bail reform that not only holds offenders accountable but also ensures the safety, dignity, and well-being of victims and survivors, who deserve nothing less than our full support and protection.”
-Chief Peter Moreira, Durham Regional Police
“The need to break the cycle of crime that our current catch-and-release system has contributed to perpetuating has never been greater. I am proud to stand with my fellow police leaders, valued partners, and survivors of crime today to continue our calls for substantive reform that places victims first, holds offenders accountable, and makes our cities and towns safer.”
-Chief Stephen J. Tanner, Halton Regional Police
“The powerful insights of survivors and unwavering support of our partners here today only strengthens our resolve in committing to advocating for a transformative change in the justice system. Bail reform is at the forefront of our efforts to break the cycle of repeat offences and strengthen community safety. A more effective justice framework is critical to ensure the needs of survivors of crime are met. This remains a priority for York Regional Police and is absolutely necessary in order to ensure our community remains safe and secure.”
-Chief Jim MacSween, York Regional Police
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