Police Violence
Police brutality is the excessive use of force enacted by law enforcement and in Canada is a symptom of structural racism and colonial violence. Resources include tools for victims and witnesses of police violence.
Alternatives to Police Services
BLM calls for national defunding of police and provides a list of alternatives to police services in many scenarios (ie: mental health services).
Collective Opposed to Police Brutality
COBP helps to denounce the harassment, violence, intimidation, arrests and abuse of power by police, and also inform people of their rights and lend support to victims of police brutality.
Deadly Force: A report on police fatalities in Canada
CBC news provides a report and assembled database of every person who died or was killed during a police intervention in Canada from 2000-2017. This educational resource provides evidence of increasing rates, racial inequalities, and more.
In response to the ongoing violence and harassment in our communities around the world, this site offers several contact tools to help you call upon your local representatives to defund the police with just a few clicks.
Language is a barrier to reporting hate crimes. For those who are not fluent in English, calling the police is intimidating and discourages individuals from contacting the police in the first place. To stem the rise of hate crimes, we must change the status quo. A hate crime reporting system that is accessible to everyone is needed. This starts with providing a way to report hate crimes online in English and in multiple languages.
Indigenous People Killed by Canadian Police
This site contains stories of Indigenous people who died in police encounters in Canada and the loved ones they left behind.
Police Brutality In Canada is a symptom of structural racism and colonial violence. These issues are discussed and resources are provided.
Police Victim Services Program Directory
PVSBC provides this directory for those looking for a police victim services program in their region within BC.
They help LGBTQI+ people escape state-sponsored violence.
Toronto Police Brutality Lawyer
Edson Legal provides access to police brutality lawyers in the GTA. An experienced lawyer will assist you in filing your police brutality case in Canada. They will present a report showing how the police mishandled you to prove your case in court. Call them at 1-855-702-3119 now to talk to one of their lawyers.
Journal Article: Officers explained that the criminal justice system is one component of a wider network of systems that collectively fail to meet the needs of people who use drugs.
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for their community that’s been divested from police since day one. It is run by and for trans people. Canada (877) 330-6366, US (877) 565-8860
VictimLinkBC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime.
WPCH is a community-centred police abolitionist group committed to defunding the WPS and reallocating resources to life-sustaining services.
The WITNESS Media Lab is dedicated to unleashing the potential of eyewitness video as a powerful tool to report, monitor, and advocate for human rights.
Read, Watch, & Learn
Police Brutality in Calgary: Who Holds Officers Accountable? Documentary
"Canadians entrust police officers with an enormous amount of power, including the authority to detain a person and use force against them if necessary. But are officers being held to account if they abuse their power? That’s one of the fundamental questions posed by Calgary-born-and-raised filmmakers Marc Serpa Francoeur and Robinder Uppal in Above the Law, an eye-opening investigation into accountability, or lack thereof, in the Calgary Police Service. #CBCdocsPOV #AboveTheLaw"
The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas, Book)
Book: This bestseller is about sixteen-year-old Starr Carter, who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. This novel follows the story of Starr, and how she grapples with racism, police brutality, and activism.
Power in Numbers
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Total Resources
