01-02 Appendix D - Handling Items of Religious Signifigance

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

The Toronto Police Service recognizes that special arrangements may have to be made when handling items, articles, apparel, or clothing of religious importance (item of religious significance). Although there are a multitude of items of religious significance that differ between and amongst religions, any item of religious significance identified by a person SHALL be handled according to the process below.

In addition to the process below, members should seek direction from the person regarding the handling of the item of religious significance and, if practicable, handle the item as requested by the person. In general, items of religious significance SHALL be treated with respect and handled appropriately.

Question 2

When handling the item of religious significance, members SHALL be cognizant of human rights and unless circumstances make it impractical to do so, comply with the process below, having regard for the

Answer 2

• immediate risk of injury
• immediate risk of escape
• immediate risk of destruction of evidence
• safety of the member
• safety of the person
• safety of the public

Question 3

The following process SHALL be followed when handling an item of religious significance

Answer 3

1. Ask the person if they have an item of religious significance on their person or in their possession.

Question 4

2. Members SHALL advise the person if an item of religious significance will be removed, _____ if self–removal does not pose potential risk of safety/injury to the person or member.

Answer 4

the reason the item is being removed, and provide the person with the opportunity to remove the item themselves

Question 5

3. When practicable, members SHALL use____ when handling an item of religious significance

Answer 5

gloves

Question 6

4. When practicable, members SHALL facilitate the replacement of an item of religious significance as soon as possible when the item (apparel or clothing only) is

Answer 6

removed and held for any purpose and is not being immediately returned to that person.

Question 7

5. Members SHALL place an item of religious significance in a separate property bag

Answer 7

• In general, it is acceptable to store items of religious significance together in one property bag

Question 8

6. A sealed property bag containing an item of religious significance may be

Answer 8

sealed within the main property bag when the person is being transported or held for a show cause hearing