First post of three on projects at Windsor Law fighting racial discrimination
On February 5th, 2009, the Faculty of Law hosted the official launch of LEAP. LEAP is the first law school project of its kind in Canada. The event kicked off with an introduction and welcome by Dean Bruce Elman. Attendees at the launch were Justice Steven Rogin, Justice Saul Nosanchuk, and Justice Micheline Rawlins, city councilors from Windsor and Essex County, members of the Windsor Police Services Board, Director of Campus Police, members of the local bar and community, and faculty, staff, and students of the University.
Professor David M. Tanovich, Academic Director of LEAP, followed the introduction by discussing the purpose of LEAP and encouraging law students to get involved with the project. As a student-led research initiative at Windsor Law, the objective of LEAP is to provide confidential research on issues surrounding police accountability and racial profiling. This research will be provided to government, oversight agencies, community groups, human rights agencies, Universities, and police services. LEAP will also serve to increase public education and awareness, particularly in Windsor and Essex County, about issues surrounding the new police complaints process in Ontario.
LEAP’s website can be found at www.uwindsor.ca/law. The site will provide information about LEAP’s community outreach initiatives, the filing of a police complaint, relevant case law and reports surrounding issues of police accountability and racial profiling. A link to the LEAP blog is available on the site, but can also be found directly at www.windsorlaw-leap.blogspot.com. Everyone is encouraged to visit the blog and post comments to entice meaningful and thoughtful discussion.
Amy Slotek and Lindsay Trevelyan, Community Outreach Co-Ordinators, discussed the importance of engaging with members of the Windsor-Essex community to provide support surrounding issues of police accountability, racial profiling, and the new police complaints process. Slotek and Trevelyan will begin their community outreach programme at the start of March.
Lily Tekle, Student Director of LEAP, introduced keynote speaker Mr. Gerry McNeilly, Director of the Independent Police Review Board (IPRB). McNeilly discussed the implementation of Bill 103: An Act to establish an [IPRB] and create a new public complaints process by amending the Police Services Act. Under the legislation, he has the power to develop procedural aspects of the new system, the discretion to refuse complaints, and the jurisdiction to investigate systemic issues. Appointed to the position in 2008 by Attorney General Chris Bentley, McNeilly is an excellent candidate for the role given his experiences in public interest litigation and community work. At the conclusion of his address, he encouraged participants to feel comfortable enough to utilize the new system once it becomes available.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact LEAP at leap@uwindsor.ca.
