Toronto police review officer name tag policy over safety concerns

Toronto police are reviewing whether officers must continue wearing name tags, citing concerns about officer safety and privacy. The force said it is looking at the issue after the RCMP changed its own policy earlier this year to allow officers to use a regimental number instead of their names. Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said the service is concerned about the online identification and targeting of officers and their families. She said safety and privacy are being considered, but no formal change has been approved by the Toronto Police Service Board, which would need to review any proposal in public. The debate has drawn criticism from some experts and lawyers, who say name tags are important for accountability and public trust. Toronto officers have been required to wear them since 2006, and the issue remains sensitive because of past disputes over missing name tags during the 2010 G20 protests.