Instructor Brings International Experience Home

For Toronto Police Service officer Karrilynn Blonde, policing has evolved beyond responding to calls. It is also about preparing the next generation of officers and inspiring more women to pursue careers they may once have thought were beyond their reach.

Blonde, who serves as a use of force and firearm range instructor said she knew exactly where she wanted her career to be from the moment she decided to enter law enforcement.

“I am from a very small town, and I knew I wanted to work with the Toronto Police Service from the minute that I was trying to get into policing,” she said.

Whether responding to alarm calls or leading officers through tactical scenarios on the training range, Blonde believes preparation, communication and teamwork are essential.

“I do like instructing,” she said. “I do like training to be able to give it back to the rest of the Service. As a frontline officer, I wanted to be able to give that back to other frontline officers.”

Blonde’s dedication to training is one of the reasons she was selected to attend the prestigious Sisters of Law Enforcement (SOLE) Summit in the United States.

Staff Sergeant Darren Sisk, who works alongside Blonde in the Incident Response Training Section at the College, said she stood out among an exceptionally competitive field.

"TC Blonde was an outstanding candidate for the SOLE Summit opportunity," he said. "She is an exceptional instructor, a highly respected police officer, and someone who consistently demonstrates professionalism, leadership, and a commitment to excellence in everything she does."

The selection process drew approximately 200 applicants competing for just 20 positions.

Blonde not only secured a spot but finished among the program's top candidates, becoming the only Canadian officer selected.

Sisk said summit organizers were "incredibly impressed with her competence as an instructor, her proficiency with firearms platforms, her skills in tactical casualty care and her ability to work collaboratively as part of a team."

For Blonde, the experience proved transformative.

“I can't even put into words what that did for me to be able to be with 20 other women,” she said. “My confidence was boosted. It grew exponentially while I was down there to be surrounded by like-minded women that support each other.”

Returning to Toronto, Blonde brought that renewed confidence back to the Toronto Police College, where she continues to mentor officers and strengthen training programs.

According to Sisk, Blonde has already applied what she learned at the summit to the Immediate Rapid Deployment and In-Service Training programs, ensuring her fellow officers also benefit from the experience.

That commitment extends beyond tactical instruction.

Blonde encourages women to challenge themselves, step outside their comfort zones and embrace opportunities that may seem intimidating.

“Running the range for me was out of my comfort zone, but I pushed myself forward and I try to do hard things so I can better myself,” she said.

For Blonde, one of the greatest lessons she brought home from the summit was the importance of supporting others.

“If you really do put your mind to something, you can succeed,” she said. “To be able to be that support for them as well, I've taken that a lot away from the summit. And it's nice to be able to have somebody to look up to.”

The impact Blonde made at the summit continues to be recognized.

Sisk said that she has been invited to return as a mentor for the 2026 SOLE Summit.