The Spatial Risk of Assault on Police Officers in Toronto, Ontario

Author

Stephanie C. Pongracz, Western UniversityFollow

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Sociology

Supervisor

Dr. Laura Huey

Abstract

Since September 12^th, 2022, nine police officers in Canada have been fatally assaulted in the line of duty. These officer deaths raise important questions concerning the nature of risks police face on duty, as well as the ways we can better understand those risks. Utilizing a Risk Terrain Modelling (RTM) approach, this study examined the risk of assault to police officers in Toronto, Ontario using Assault to Peace Officer data from January 1^st, 2022, to December 31^st, 2022. This study revealed that the risk of assault to police varies by the physical features present in each Division of the Toronto Police Service. Specifically, 7 features of the physical environment were found to increase risk of assault to police, with locations with high previous rates of robbery posing the most consistent risk. The resulting output provides The Toronto Police Service and policymakers with information and suggestions on how to utilize RTM methods to improve the safety of officers on-duty.

Recommended Citation

Pongracz, Stephanie C., "The Spatial Risk of Assault on Police Officers in Toronto, Ontario" (2024). MA Research Paper. 63.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/sociology_masrp/63