The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has called for a formal investigation into a recent Toronto Police Service (TPS) podcast episode in which two Muslim liaison officers discussed a surge in conversions to Islam following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The episode, part of the “Project Olive Branch” series, has since been removed from official channels.
In the now-deleted episode, Constable Haroon Siddiqui remarked that “a lot of people after October 7 started learning about Islam… the amount of people that are reverting to Islam is unbelievable.” This comment, suggesting a positive outcome from the attacks, has been met with significant concern from the Jewish community.
CIJA’s Ontario Vice President, Michelle Stock, addressed a letter to Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, expressing alarm over the podcast’s content and the apparent lack of oversight in its production. Stock questioned how such remarks were permitted on an official TPS platform, especially with both officers appearing in uniform, potentially implying institutional endorsement of their views.
Stock highlighted that the podcast’s content might violate Ontario Regulation 402/23 under the Community Safety and Policing Act, which restricts officers from expressing personal political views while in uniform or associating such views with their official capacity. She urged a formal investigation into the podcast’s approval process and the conduct of the officers involved.
In response to the backlash, Chief Demkiw issued a public apology, acknowledging the profound pain caused to the Jewish community by the podcast. He stated, “I have personally heard from the community about the impact of this podcast, and I’m truly sorry. Our commitment to protecting our Jewish communities remains unwavering.” Additionally, Demkiw has ordered a review of TPS procedures to ensure future content aligns with the service’s commitment to impartial and respectful engagement.
Despite the apology and removal of the episode, CIJA maintains that these actions are insufficient without a thorough investigation. The organization emphasizes the need for accountability and assurances that similar incidents will not occur in the future, underscoring the importance of maintaining trust between TPS and all communities it serves.