Celebrating Francophonie and Connecting to Community

Toronto Police celebrated Francophonie Day with Collège Français students in 51 Division and at City Hall.

“Francophonie Day recognizes the diversity of French-speaking communities,” said Constable Tina Trepanier, who was born in Montreal. “French is spoken in many continents and is the main language in a host of countries. This is a great opportunity for us to expose students to the many different jobs available at Toronto Police Service. It would be great to increase the French-speaking representation at our organization.”

This was the third time in 15 years that the French Community Consultative Committee’s (FCCC) annual International Francophonie Day celebration was held outside police headquarters.

“It is nice to go out into the community and to be where the community is,” Trepanier added.

The FCCC is one of the original six consultative committees and its membership reflects the diversity of the French culture.

Staff Superintendent Shannon Dawson and Inspector Roger Desrochers represent police on the FCCC along community co-chair Serge Paul who was also on hand to encourage youth to consider a career in policing.

“We want young people to keep in mind that there are far many career opportunities with Toronto Police,” said Desrochers, who serves in Intelligence Services. “There are many career paths that they can take in uniformed and civilian roles. Employment with Toronto Police can mean that you have about 20 to 30 different jobs in a 30 to 40-year career.”

Observed annually since 1988, International Francophonie Day celebrates the cultural and linguistic diversity that makes up the French-speaking world.

In its foundational Declaration of Principles, the Toronto Police Services Board recognizes the historic role that Francophones have played in the development of Ontario and pledges, among other things, to provide appropriate services that are sensitive to the ethnic-cultural makeup of the Francophonie community.

The FCCC works to connect the Service with the French community, recruit French-speaking police officers and civilians and helps translate documents and in communications to the public.

Constable Cedron Deane of Talent Acquisition spoke to the students about the myriad opportunities the Service offers.

Service members joined in the raising the flag of the International Francophonie Organization at a ceremony at Toronto City Hall with Ontario's Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont and Mayor Olivia Chow on March 20 and a few hundred people representing the French community from around the world.

“We’re happy as police officers to be part of a celebration alongside the community,” said French Consultative Committee Co-Chair Staff Superintendent Shannon Dawson. “I know, growing up in French immersion schools, the great vibrancy of the French culture.”