City councillors have taken steps towards eliminating the practice of police street checks within the City of London.
During a Community and Protective Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, members voted unanimously for a motion that calls for Mayor Matt Brown to publicly ask the London Police Board Services Board to permanently end the random stopping of citizens by police, known as carding.
Councillor Mo Salih, who has raised concerns about carding in the past, said the motion is a step in the right direction.
"It's quite clear and it's been consistent with how many people have shared their concerns," he said. "There's always ways of doing effective policing, but I think this is one that isn't supported by the general population."
The motion stated that recent revised provincial regulations are not enough to "address systemic racism behind the practice."
"There's been a disproportional representation of visible minorities in those stops and checks," said Salih. "No one has demonstrated to me or [produced] data to show that it has been effective, and that it's made us any safer. I don't think that's the case. So I think it's a matter of getting rid of something that doesn't do any benefit for anyone."
The motion will now be brought to city council for full approval.
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