Toronto's police chief strongly criticized a planned inquiry by the Ontario Human Rights Commission into racial profiling Monday night.

Julian Fantino said the commission invitation to people to give personal testimony on racial profiling may do more harm than good.

Over the next two weeks, individuals who believe they have been profiled are invited to talk about their experience with the commission.

It wants to know how the incident has affected their lives and outlook toward society.

"In many different ways its going to cause more hype, more controversy and in many respects it might be perceived to be a negative," Fantino said Monday at a community town hall meeting meant to improve relations between police and Toronto's Caribbean community.

But a member of the audience at the meeting said she supports the commission's inquiry.

"It's a real attempt to examine how are people really affected," said Karen Mock of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

"There will be an investigation to ensure that what the complainant has reported actually did happen," she said.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is offering an online questionnaire, or people can call the commission.

The commission says there will be a public hearing based on the reports it receives.

Racial profiling has been a hot issue since the Toronto Star ran a series of articles alleging blacks are treated more harshly by city police.

Toronto police Chief Julian Fantino denies his officers use racial profiling. The police association is suing the newspaper.