UWindsor law students to study police accountability
By Hannah Larking
News Editor
February 4, 2009
 UWindsor law students will be launching a new, student-led research initiative that is expected to enhance police accountability and reduce forms of police misconduct.
The Law Enforcement Accountability Project (LEAP) will be based under the leadership of an academic director, University of Windsor professor David Tanovich, along with a student director, student researchers and volunteers.
“It will, upon request, provide confidential research, policy recommendations and advice to government, public interest organizations, human rights and police agencies, and community groups on issues of oversight and racial profiling,” said Lily Tekle, the project’s student director. Tekle will be backed by student volunteers Andrea Anderson, Olanyi Parsons, Amy Slotek, Lindsay Trevelyan, Miriam Villamil and Kevin Wong. Tekle also added that the project’s purpose is to raise public awareness about the implementation of bill 103, particularly in Windsor and Essex County, which, according to the Ontario government website, is an act to establish an independent police review director and create a new public complaints process by amending the Police Services Act. It is the only project of its kind in the country, said Tekle.
Although LEAP is not intended to be a legal clinic and will not be providing legal advice or representation, it will be able to assist in finding legal representation for those who seek redress. LEAP will be receiving its funding from a two-year grant given by the Law Foundation of Ontario. The LEAP project will officially launch Feb. 5 with a speech about the new police complaints process by Gerry McNeilly, the director of Ontario’s new Independent Police Review system.
Tekle encourages all students to visit www.windsorlaw-leap.blogspot.com for updates on the project.
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