Toronto police announce new counter-terrorism security unit

The Toronto Police Service has announced the creation of a new counter-terrorism unit, promising “high visibility deployments” in its future operations.

“In response to an evolving security landscape, the Toronto Police Service is taking operational action to keep our communities safe by strengthening how we identify, prevent, and respond to terrorism and violent extremism,” TPS said in a press release Tuesday announcing the creation of a dedicated Counter-Terrorism Security Unit or CTSU.

“At a time of heightened tensions, and in light of the firearm discharges targeting synagogues and the U.S. Consulate in Toronto and other violent, hate-motivated incidents around the world, the Toronto Police Service continues to take proactive action,” it continued. “The CTSU will strengthen our existing security partnerships with the RCMP, the OPP, and local and international law enforcement partners, to identify and disrupt potential threats impacting Toronto and the GTA.”

The police said the new unit is not connected to one immediate threat, but cautioned that Toronto “is seeing a more complex threat environment influenced by global conflicts, online radicalization, and extremism, along with a significant increase in hate crimes.”

The RCMP, whose Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSET) often work closely with other federal, provincial and municipal police services, welcomed the news.

“We look forward to the ongoing collaboration with INSET, and within the new unit to ensure that we remain able to respond to threats to public safety in Canada’s largest city,” said Matt Peggs, the RCMP’s Regional Commander, Central Region.

Toronto police said they are also launching Task Force Guardian, “to enhance police visibility in key locations including critical infrastructure, high-traffic public spaces, tourist attractions, and places of worship.” The initiative will involve uniformed officers with patrol rifles and other long guns.

“The presence of these officers is intended to deter potential acts of violence and ensure officers are positioned to respond quickly if needed,” the police said. “The deployments are being actioned to protect people, support communities, and ensure residents can gather and move through the city safely.”

• Matthew Taub: Three synagogues hit by bullets. So much for 'antisemitism has no place here'
• ‘Bullets are flying': Two more Toronto-area synagogues hit by gunfire