Beaches-East York Council Calls for Mayor to Join Police Board
Proposal and Legislative Background
The Beaches-East York City Council has added a motion to the municipal agenda that would require Toronto’s mayor to sit on the Toronto Police Service board this fall.
If the mayor declines, the council expects a written explanation of why the responsibility is being delegated.
Provincial legislation specifies that the police board seat belongs to the chair of the municipal council, or, when the chair is unavailable, an appointed councillor.
Bradford’s Argument and Campaign Promises
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford says safety is the foundation of a great city and argues the mayor should personally serve on the police board.
In a statement to the Toronto Sun, he emphasized that “showing up and taking responsibility is not optional, it’s part of the job.”
Bradford, who is polling strongly in the mayoral race, hopes to become the board’s chairman after the October election.
He has pledged to hire 1,000 additional police officers if elected, a promise he made at a news conference held outside police headquarters.
Police Service Context and Community Concerns
Chief Myron Demkiw noted that, although crime statistics show a modest decline, many residents still feel unsafe.
He warned that a single shooting, such as the recent incident at Salsa on St. Clair, can quickly erode community confidence.
The police force grew to 5,576 officers by the end of 2025, up from 5,396 the previous year, reflecting efforts to strengthen staffing levels.
Bradford, however, maintains that the force remains overstretched and that more officers are needed to keep the city safe.
Next Steps and Political Implications
The council will debate the proposal at its final meeting at the end of July, just weeks before the municipal election on October 26.
Mayor Olivia Chow did not serve on the police board during her term, while her predecessor John Tory held a seat from 2014 to 2022; former mayors David Miller and Mel Lastman also sat on the board after the merger.
Bradford’s motion aims to place the mayor’s leadership directly at the centre of public safety policy, a move that could shape the city’s political landscape ahead of the election.
