Race played role in U of O carding incident, investigator finds

An independent investigator hired by the University of Ottawa to look into a carding incident involving a black studenthas found that both race and inadequate training played a role in the incident.

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Student Jamal Boycesaid he was skateboarding on June 12 when campus security officers approached him and demanded he produce identification. When he couldn't produce any ID, he was handcuffed and detained for two hours until Ottawa police arrived.

Boyce wasn't charged with any crime, and was released.

Toronto lawyer Esi Codjoe, former vice-chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, was asked to investigate the incident itself, as well as how the university's security policies may have contributed to it.

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On Tuesday, U of O president Jacques Frmontreleased Codjoe's report.

"The report concludes that race was a factor in the incident,"Frmontsaid. "It also concludes that the university's outdated operational procedures and inadequate training was a second factor in the incident. I accept this report and its findings."

'Race was a factor in the incident'

5 years ago

Duration 0:48

Jacques Frmont, president of the University of Ottawa, said the report concluded that race and inadequate training played a role in a June carding incident involving a black student.

Frmontsaid he was initially surprised to hear about the incident, "yet, as a human rights lawyer I should not have been. I know how much the pursuit of inclusivity remains an ongoing struggle in society at large."

Without naming Boyce,Frmontthen offered an apology.

"I'm deeply sorry for the way you were treated and for the humiliation you experienced. I apologize to you for what happened. It was unacceptable and it was wrong."

Frmontthen apologized to the community at large, and especially to members of the university's racialized community.

Frmontoutlined thestepsthe university has taken to prevent similar incidents, andsaid he has met with Boyceand asked him to join an advisory committee looking at ways to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

• U of O issues new security policy after carding incident

"I continue to have full confidence in our protection services officers,"Frmontsaid. "It was my belief before the incident, and it is still my belief now, that overall the University of Ottawa remains a safe, accepting and inclusive community."

In September, another black U of O student,Wiliston Mason, saidhe was shocked when a security guard blocked his way and demanded identification at a university residence, where Mason worksas a community adviser.

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In a statement, the U of O said the security guard worked for a private firm under contract with the university, and would no longer be allowed on campus.