Toronto’s First Black Police Chief Resigns Amid Calls to Defund Police

TORONTO (Sputnik) – Toronto’s first black police chief will step down from his post on 31 July, the Toronto Police Service said in a statement.

Activists across Canada and the United States have been calling for police departments to be defunded and for the money to be redirected to other areas to help communities, such as education and housing.

Critics have said defunding police departments will leave ordinary citizens defenceless against criminals and predict a drastic rise in crime.

While the calls were spurred by the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Canadian activists have also cited ongoing anti-black and anti-indigenous racism at the hands of police north of the border as well.

However, many of the protests have turned into riots and have seen violence against police and civilians as well as acts of vandalism, arson, and looting.

Sourse: sputniknews.com