Noting “a large number of deeply troubling questions” surrounding recent missing persons cases from the city’s LGBTQ communities, Mayor John Tory’s motion at the upcoming police board meeting will call for an independent examination of systemic issues concerning police probes into such disappearances. But because of the ongoing nature of the police investigation into Bruce McArthur and the pending criminal trial, the external review will be limited in how much it can specifically examine disappearances linked to the accused serial killer.In a letter to his fellow police board members and chair Andy Pringle, Tory details his motion for next week’s meeting, where the civilian police board will vote on whether to initiate an external probe into police handling of missing persons cases. The call for an independent review, supported by Pringle and by Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders, comes following revelations that police previously questioned and released McArthur in 2016 — one year before he is alleged to have killed at least two men, Andrew Kinsman and Selim Esen (police allege McArthur killed Dean Lisowick between April 2016 and March 2017).Tory’s motion, however, states the terms of reference for the proposed review could include police policies, training and organizational structures and more that are “related to missing persons investigations, which will not include any information or discussion of the McArthur investigation and possible trial proceedings.”Tory reiterates his support for a provincial inquiry into the McArthur investigation, noting that “counsel and others will have to determine the timing … relative to a paramount requirement not to jeopardize ongoing investigations and/or subsequent judicial proceedings.”“I strongly believe that there is work we can and should begin now in the cause of an open and transparent review,” Tory said.Shakir Rahim, a board member ...
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