Safer for all: The Film

 
 

It all started when…

The Safer for All Bus Tour was inspired by "living library" stories like the Queer History Project Bus Tour and the documentary No Visible Trauma.

Safer for All was an effort to capture the stories of experts and people with lived experience, both as police officers and as people who have had negative interactions with law enforcement. We were honoured and excited to partner with Lost Time Media to make this production a reality.

The film is Edmonton based but these are not Edmonton problems. There are problems in each province across Canada, on and off reserve, big or small city. Wherever there is law enforcement, there needs to be a functional system of accountability for them.

Our goal is that this film is watched by every Canadian in the hope it sparks real conversations about how we can minimize the opportunity for police violence, ensure accountability in the incidents where there is violence, and build a safer community for all.

The Safer for All Toolkit: A Resource for Change

Accompanying the film is the Safer for All toolkit, a resource crafted to foster constructive dialogue among community members, legal professionals, victims and families, community organizers, law enforcement, and all others dedicated to holding police accountable. The toolkit recognizes the historical roots of systemic racism and bias in Canadian policing and invites communities to engage in meaningful discussions about the critical need for accountability.

Designed to complement screenings of Safer for All, this guidebook is meant for use across Canada. Whether in big cities or small towns, on reserves or off, the issues explored in this toolkit are relevant to communities everywhere. By using this resource, we hope to empower individuals and groups to work together in building a justice system that truly serves everyone—making every community safer for all.

Calls to Action

We must minimize the opportunity for police violence by ensuring other non-law enforcement supports are available to respond to calls, such as mental health or crisis diversion teams.  Investing in community prevention and response saves lives, is more dignified, builds community and is cost effective.

Participate and attend police commission meetings to strengthen public accountability and oversight. 

Reforms that must be implemented immediately: 

  • Create a culture of zero tolerance for police misconduct. Fire, do not promote or retain bad officers.

  • Implement robust independent civilian oversight of all policing and prisons.

  • Empower ASIRT to press charges directly against officers, such as the Special Investigations Unit in Ontario.

  • Legislate whistleblower protection for police officers and other law enforcement.

Support the work of organizations working on this issue:

Search and research:

Subscribe to the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition:

A group that encourages debate about police policy issues across Canada, and is devoted to making the police more accountable to the public.

Read John Sewell’s book, Crisis in Canada’s Policing.

Sign up for our Police Accountability email list.

Read a reflection from the John Humphrey Centre’s Executive Director Renée Vaugeois, delivered as part of the March 16 2024 debut screening of Safer for All.

 

Special thanks to the Harbinger Media Network, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and the many others who attended and shared their stories on the journey.