The unit aims to provide a "culturally responsive approach" to community safety, according Mark Dapat, Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief of community safety and well-being, who oversees the centralized unit of 10 dedicated officers. Dapat said the unit will address hate-motivated crimes involving religious institutions and cultural centres, as well as those stemming from social and geopolitical tensions. 'We've been listening to our community," Dapat told CBC Toronto. "They feel sometimes during the judicial process they're lost in the system.'
These are the weirdos posting Ring-camera footage of the suspicious-looking Cub Scout who had the audacity to ring their doorbell; they're wondering if their neighbor's sunflowers are spying on them; they're thinking they might call the cops on the teen-ager who just used their driveway to turn his car around, because that's got to count as trespassing. Statistically speaking, a lot of these people have guns.
"It has been an honor to serve the Oakland community, and I am grateful for the support I've received from the residents. I'm incredibly proud of the men and women of this Department and the collaborative working relationships forged with the community and business owners to reduce crime. My commitment over the weeks ahead is to help ensure a smooth transition and continue to keep Oakland safe."
The operation follows a steep rise in offending across England and Wales. Theft from the person more than doubled between December 2022 and December 2024, while shoplifting rose over 60 percent.
Supt Biju Premnath stated that frontline police services will be protected; however, support units like mounted police, dog units, and forensics face significant cuts due to funding shortfalls.
Every death of a garda is a tragedy for our society. Our police force is a rarity because the vast majority of our officers are unarmed... an attack on a garda remains regarded as an attack on society.