Alok has served as Distinguished Visiting Professor, Ryerson University (now re-named Toronto Metropolitan University), cross-appointed to Faculty of Arts and the Office of the Vice President, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (2015-1028); Chair, Toronto Police Services Board (2004-2015); Member, Ontario Civilian Police Commission (1994-1997); Vice Chair & Acting Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission (1992-1994); and Advisor on Race Relations, Toronto Board of Education (1984-1989). From 1990-2018, he has taught as a part-time instructor and course director at York University, Ryerson University and Humber College. As a consultant and trainer with Partners in Equality and Doris Marshall Institute for Education & Action between 1990 and 2005, he has worked nationally in the areas of anti-racism organization change, human rights, equity and inclusion in the education sector, labour sector, community-based social service sector and the public service sector.
Alok is an author, public speaker and commentator on current issues. He is a regular contributor to the Canadian media on issues of policing, justice, human rights, equity and inclusion.
Alok’s most recent book, with Tim Harper, Excessive Force: Toronto’s Fight to Reform City Policing (Douglas & McIntyre, 2018), has gained widespread attention. It reflects his firm commitment to a community-based approach to community safety and wellness that is firmly grounded in principles of restorative justice, ethical conduct, compassion and human rights, uses force minimally, and is especially attentive to the needs and realities of society’s most vulnerable. And his chapter, “Police Encounters with ‘People in Crisis’: Mental Health and Policing,” in Disability Injustice: Confronting Criminalization in Canada (UBC Press, 2022), edited by Kelly Fritsch, Jeffrey Monaghan and Emily van der Meulen, demonstrates his view of how those principles should inform society’s response to people experiencing mental health related crises.
Alok has come by his dedication to serving as an ally and supporter of those who are marginalized and rendered vulnerable by society’s systems and structures from his grandmother, Indubala Devi. She did not go to school and was married at a very early age. Her life experience made her a fighter and advocate for social justice and an activist for political change.
Following in the footsteps of his grandmother, Alok’s own work spanning nearly 50 years is motivated by a “bottom-up” perspective in which the experience of those at the bottom determines whether a community or society is truly caring, just, fair, equitable and inclusive. This work is two-pronged: on one hand, ensuring that those in need receive the necessary care, attention and service, and, on the other, fighting for the societal and systemic changes to ensure that their needs are met, without a fight every time. In this view, the community plays a very critical role as the best placed to take care of its own.
This view is reflected in his history of involvement in community-based organizations providing direct service and support to new immigrants working hard to set roots in their new home, the elderly experiencing loneliness, the women escaping from sexual and intimate partner violence, families grieving for children lost to gun violence, and people of all ages facing mental health challenges as a result, among others, of childhood sexual violence.
As a result, he was drawn inevitably to The Gatehouse and the wonderful people like Arthur, Brad and Maria – and so many others – for their absolute dedication and commitment to not only helping but, more importantly, empowering and giving hope to those who had endured silently the lasting consequences of childhood violence. And they did more than provide direct service to individuals. They emphasized community and an amazing model of peer-support which transformed “victims” into empowered people helping each other.
The key word was “transformational.” The Gatehouse and its people understood that status quo was inadequate, and transformational social change must be fought for. Using stories, art and personal narratives as well as theoretical approaches, they have shared this message through engagement with like-minded people from across Canada and beyond.
It has been one of the most rewarding, enlightening and energizing experiences for Alok to have been a small part of this wonderful journey. He served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2021 and has participated in the conferences and meetings where people with similar transformational goals and young people training to be future providers of professional help share insights and experiences, and learn from each other.
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