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Toronto Police Create Counterterrorism Unit, Deploy Armed Patrols

Police call the move a proactive deterrent to extremist violence.

A police tactical team searches a side street after receiving a call that there were gunshots fired in Toronto in this file photo on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
Police officers work at the scene of a shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, on March 10. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw referenced to shootings at the consulate and two synagogues earlier this month as he announced the new measures.
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Overview

  • Toronto police unveiled a standalone counterterrorism unit and a new task force Tuesday, saying the goal is to prevent extremist attacks.
  • Officers with patrol rifles and protective gear will station at places of worship, tourist sites, busy public areas and critical infrastructure, with deployments set by police intelligence.
  • Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the task force launches in the coming days and will use on-duty staff and existing equipment, so the service expects no added equipment costs.
  • The force will coordinate with the RCMP and OPP on local threats, and it plans tighter control of a weekly North York protest by keeping marchers at a single intersection.
  • Reaction is split, with Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and CIJA backing the move, while John Sewell and leaders at the Toronto Islamic Centre warn that rifles on patrol could frighten residents; police also reported 56 suspected hate crimes this year, including 32 labeled antisemitic.