A Toronto police internal review of its sexual harassment policies, commissioned in response to a veteran female officer’s complaints of a “poisoned” workplace, has concluded the force is in compliance with industry best practices and current legislation.But the review is being called “a cruel joke” on sexual harassment victims by the lawyer for Toronto police Sgt. Jessica McInnis, who filed a detailed complaint to Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal late last year alleging harassment, discrimination and a “culture of sexism” within her former police division.“There is no mention of the unforgiving trauma and crippling financial ordeal a victim must undergo to seek justice,” Barry Swadron said Friday. In a report to the Toronto police board released Friday, police Chief Mark Saunders summarized recent action to combat and prevent sexual harassment, saying the service is committed to providing all members with an “expectation for zero tolerance of workplace harassment, including sexual harassment.”The review was commissioned by the police board this year, following McInnis’ complaint and what former board member Shelley Carroll said were numerous calls to her office with similar allegations. Carroll, who initiated the review, previously told the Star she wanted to act quickly, knowing it could take years for McInnis’ complaint to work its way through the tribunal. That complaint made specific allegations of sexual harassment against McInnis’ police partner and also about the work environment within her former police detachment, saying there was a “general culture of sexism.” Similar allegations had previously been brought to the human rights tribunal by another female officer, Const. Heather McWilliam, who alleged she heard sexual or sexist comments during every shift of her seven years with the service. According to Saunders’ report, the Toronto Police Service ...
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