New research suggests that Indigenous people in the Sault — especially males under the age of 35 — are disproportionately subjected to use-of-force measures by police
New research suggests that Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately impacted by use-of-force measures at the hands of police in Sault Ste. Marie.
That finding is the result of a university-led research project that analyzed use-of-force data from the Minister of the Solicitor General to determine which racialized groups are impacted the most when force is used by police services in 17 cities across Ontario.
Researchers honed in on the Sault specifically after noticing a pattern in the data: Racialized people accounted for more than 20 per cent of all instances in which use-of-force tactics were deployed by police locally in 2023 and 2024.
“In all the data that we found, we did find out that Black, Indigenous, and racialized populations are overrepresented in use-of-force data,” said lead researcher Kojo Damptey, who is a contract instructor at McMaster University and Wilfrid Laurier University.
“It speaks to a troubling trend that we are seeing.”
Researchers at McMaster University found that while Indigenous males account for just 6.18 per cent of the Sault’s population, they were overrepresented in use-of-force statistics — accounting for 13.5 per cent of all cases in 2023 and 18.3 per cent in 2024.
Those findings also show that Indigenous males under the age of 35 accounted for half of all Indigenous Peoples identified in the use-of-force statistics, which also includes methods such as verbal de-escalation and ‘soft techniques’ that are control-oriented and are less likely to result in injury.
Researchers at McMaster University analyzed data from the Ministry of the Solicitor General for this infographic on police use-of-force in the Sault. Image supplied
Damptey noted that public institutions have been advised by the province to collect race-based data and address any racial disparities in accordance with Ontario’s Anti-Racism Act.
That legislation should also be applied to police services and police services boards throughout the province, the researcher added.
“We want them to come up with an accountability action plan to reduce the numbers and to change the disproportions that we are seeing in some of this data,” Damptey said.
Kojo Damptey, a sessional instructor at McMaster University, spearheaded a research project looking at racial disparities in use-of-force data for 17 Ontario cities, including the Sault. Ontario NDP Facebook page
In a statement provided to SooToday, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service said that it “recognizes the importance of closely examining the data to identify any potential overrepresentation of specific demographic groups,” and that understanding those patterns is essential to ensure it provides “fair, equitable, and respectful service to everyone in our community.”
But the police service also noted that “data and statistics do not exist in isolation.”
“Police interactions are often shaped by broader social factors, including mental health crises, substance use, and other complex circumstances that disproportionately affect some members of the community and can increase the likelihood of police involvement,” said Lincoln Louttit, corporate communications manager for Sault Police.
“Recognizing this context is critical to understanding use of force data in a meaningful way and to informing effective, compassionate responses that prioritize safety, de-escalation, and connection to appropriate supports whenever possible.”
Louttit said it’s also important to note that census data for the Sault “does not fully reflect the population our members interact with.”
“While census figures reflect residents of Sault Ste. Marie, they do not capture individuals who travel from neighbouring communities to access employment, services, recreation or other supports — all of which can impact policing interactions,” Louttit added.
In an email to SooToday, Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board chair Nuala Kenny said the board has yet to be briefed on the findings of the research project.
“If there is anything to add once the board has been briefed, I shall reach out,” Kenny said.
Batchewana First Nation, Garden River First Nation and the Sault Ste. Marie Indigenous Friendship Centre did not respond to requests for comment.