Kent
Roach
Kent Roach is professor of law at the University of Toronto. He is a former law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Bertha Wilson and has worked in various advisory and research capacities to support police reform. He co-authored False Security: The Radicalization of Canadian Anti-Terrorism, which won the 2016 Canadian Law and Society book prize. His book, Canadian Justice, Indigenous Injustice: The Gerald Stanley and Colton Boushie Case, was shortlisted for the 2019 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. Both Process and Victims’ Rights and The Supreme Court on Trial were shortlisted for the Donner Prize. Roach lives in Toronto.
Videos
Kent Roach on his award-nominated book, Canadian Justice, Indigenous Injustice
Award History
Jury Citation
“In this thoughtful and compelling book, Kent Roach performs an important public service: he skillfully addresses the headlines of policing issues, but then moves far beyond them to tackle what he calls the twin problems of ‘overpolicing and underprotection.’In so doing, he goes to the core of our contemporary challenge – how should society govern the police? Roach explores what role politicians, tribunals, courts, and communities have in ensuring that police forces across Canada function in lockstep with a democratic society.”
2019 Finalist
Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writingfor Canadian Justice, Indigenous Injustice
Jury Citation
"A highly readable autopsy of a controversial criminal case that rocked the nation, Roach’s book meticulously details many of the gaps and failings of Canada’s justice system and the systemic racism that it harbours. Authoritative and impeccably researched, it provides a fair, insightful, and thought-provoking read that should serve as a call for action. The injustices laid bare in Roach’s exposé are undeniable. From detailing a sloppy investigation to questionable court tactics and instructions, this is a powerful eye opener grounded in facts and the historical and political context happening outside the courtroom’s doors. You may think you know this case, but you will walk away with a richer perspective." —2019 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize Jury (Greg Donaghy, Althia Raj, and Paula Simons)
