New Constables Embrace Opportunity

Chief Myron Demkiw told the 91 incoming police constables they are joining the organization at a pivotal time.

“There is no other city like Toronto in Canada and, in my opinion, there is no other city like Toronto in the entire world,” he said at the graduation ceremony on November 25 at Toronto Police College. “Building our operational capacity is key to meeting the growing complex demands of our city. As you all know, Toronto just hosted Taylor Swift for a series of six concerts. Hundreds of thousands of fans came downtown over the past two weeks. And it was not just the concerts. Our city also hosted packed sporting events during this time. We host Canada’s basketball and baseball teams and an iconic hockey team.

“We respond to the impact of geopolitical events. Policing in Toronto is extremely dynamic. You each come from different backgrounds and you are now joining the best police service in the country. Your unique combination of education and experiences will serve you well throughout your career. They will also help you better understand and relate to our diverse communities.”

Demkiw said putting criminals behind bars in only one part of police officers’ jobs.

“Policing is also about prevention,” he noted. “It is about being there for one another. It is about relationships. It is about building and sometimes rebuilding trust. We have no shortage of challenges, but I have every confidence that you are ready and equipped to take these challenges on.”

The Chief shared three important lessons he wished he had known when he graduated to help bring out the best version of the graduates as they serve their communities.

“It is important to seek first to understand before you seek to be understood, continuous learning and education will help enhance your knowledge, skills and abilities and there is immense value in consistently prioritizing and practicing self-care,” Demkiw added. “Reflecting on my own career, I can pinpoint specific periods when I did not prioritize self-care. And those mistakes had an impact on both my personal and professional life. Self-care is vital to bullet-proofing yourself against your upcoming experiences and building resilience as a police officer. Our health, safety and well-being are essential for us to serve our communities effectively.”

With their favourite officer now a member of the Toronto police family, Demkiw told the family members they, by extension, are also part of that family.

The Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) recently adopted a motion for a five-year hiring plan, committing to hiring 720 police officers over the next two years.

Mayor Olivia Chow said the city is investing to make Toronto communities safer, including a stable long-term hiring plan for Toronto Police Service.

“There will be four classes yearly for at least the next two years with a maximum number of 90 recruits,” she said. “This means the Chief can plan ahead and that is something we are mightily proud of at City Council.”

Ranging in age from 20 to 49, a total of 43 percent of the newcomers have university degrees and 41 percent have completed college.

In addition, 10 percent have military experience.

TPSB Chair Ann Morgan said the recruits bring unique experiences and lenses that will help them better understand their roles and connections to the public.

A total of 48 percent speak at least one language other than English, including Ukrainian, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Greek, Cantonese, Urdu and Turkish.

“Your diversity is a mirror of our extraordinary city,” she said. “And in it lies our formidable strength. The quality of our Service is strengthened when the diversity of our great city is reflected in those who police it. Through you, we can reach out to our different communities and neighbourhoods, speak to community members in their home languages, create and fortify relationships and thus enhance our ever-important partnerships with the public that is the critical key to all we do.”

As they start their new careers as Toronto Police officers, Morgan reminded the recruits they will make a lasting impact on the city and personal contribution to the safety and well-being of the community they have vowed to serve and protect.

“It is important to acknowledge the sheer enormity of the service you will provide,” she added. “It is you and your colleagues who do the difficult work of keeping us all safe. It is you who have made the decision to devote yourselves so fully to others, to serve and protect. You signed up for something larger that yourself and for this we all benefit. So today and for all the days you do your job with pride, let me say to you and your families, thank you.”

Since November 15, 1997, Jamaal Thompson knew he would be a police officer.

On that early morning on the way to college, his mother went into to pay for gas after filling up at a station, when a man jumped into the vehicle and took off with Thompson, then four, strapped in the booster seat.

“While driving, the man told me I would never see my mom again and I would be with him for the rest of my life,” he recalled. “After a while, he ditched the car. I unbuckled from the booster seat, manually rolled down the window and jumped through and then ran to a nearby car dealership. After knocking at the door, a few workers came out and rescued me.”

Within minutes, police arrived on the scene.

“They held me in their arms and I remember the care and love they poured into me,” said Thompson, who was born and raised in Toronto. “They told me I was safe and I should not worry. Ever since that day, I have always had an interest in becoming a Toronto Police officer. As I grew older that interest grew to the point that I am now a member of this esteemed Service.”

He spent six years working in the banking industry before pursuing his dream job with Canada’s largest municipal police service.

“This was the only police Service I wanted to work for,” said Thompson. “This was the end goal.”

He said the training was challenging.

“Coming from the banking sector, I didn’t know much about the laws pertaining to this field,” Thompson said. “Also, the training was rigorous and a bit difficult at times, but I made it with the help of my classmates. There were times when I questioned whether I had made the right decision to become a police officer, but I Iocked in and was determined to make it to the finish line. I knew if I wanted to become an outstanding officer, I had to put in the hard work required, which I did.”

His mother, Michelle Pitterson, said her son always talked about becoming a police officer after the incident.

“However, he went into banking and was making good money as a senior analyst,” she added. “When he told me he joined Toronto police and I asked him, he said it was not about the money. I knew in my mind this is something he always wanted and I am so proud of him.”

Immigrating from Nepal in 2015, Aakriti Kandel worked with young people and kids with disabilities as she transitioned in a new country.

“I quickly realized I could be in the community doing many positive things,” she said, noting she never felt the freedom to pursue such roles before coming to Canada.

After two years as a Special Constable with another police service, Kandel reached out to Toronto Police last year.

“I talked to several people from Toronto Police who told me about the many opportunities that are available, including working with diverse communities” she said. “Toronto is big and has more opportunities than other police services.”

Toan Le was looking for a career that would allow him to connect with the community and do something different daily.

“I figured policing would give me that,” he said.

He spent five years with the Canadian Armed Forces as a Signals Officer before applying to Toronto Police.

“That was a great stepping stone as I was exposed to intense training and I learned how to push myself to the extreme,” noted Le who is the first in his family in policing.

Making a difference in the community is his top priority as he embarks on the new career.

“Whether it is creating new relationships or working to enhance relations in the community, I want to be part of that while helping to keep communities safe and contributing to making this city a secure place for everyone,” added Le.

Tishauna Brown was a teacher for several years before switching careers.

“I wanted a job that would help me grow,” she said. “One of the reasons why I chose this Service is because it is the largest municipal organization in the country and this city is my home.”

Growing up in the Jane & Finch community, Brown said she didn’t have much interaction with police officers.

“I however witnessed a fair share of community members’ interactions with police officers and most of them were negative,” she said. “There is a stereotype that comes with that and that is another reason why I wanted to be a police officer. The Service has many good officers who are doing a great job in the community and I want to be part of that.”

Several prizes were presented at the graduation.

Aman Bhatia earned the High Academic Achievement Award with a mark of 94 percent, Brittney Brownlee was the recipient of the Harry Mayzell Leadership Award, Anthony Louch captured the High Performance in Fitness Award and Raxel Rodriguez won the Most Improved Fitness Award. 

Adrian Neely was the recipient of the Gulshan Kassamali Diversity & Inclusion Memorial Award while the Glen Cole Memorial Award was presented to class valedictorian Damian D’Ornellas.

“We are here tonight to celebrate an honourable and noble achievement,” he said. “It is a commitment to bettering our communities for generations to come, a solemn oath to serve and protect the citizens in the greatest city in the world. The road has been long and there have been challenges, but we made it to this point together.

“...I want you to know my brothers and sisters that I will put my life on the line for you because I trust you will do the same. You have earned that trust as that is one thing in life that is not freely given. I ask that you give it your everything you have every day, never let your guard down, be safe and know that you are loved.”

Won Suk Wood was the recipient of the Drill, Dress & Deportment Award that was renamed the Jack Reid Toronto Police Military Veterans Association (TPMVA) Award.

Joining Toronto Police in 1941 as a Clerk in the Chief’s Office, Reid took leave two years later to enlist with the Royal Canadian Navy and serve aboard the HMCS Longueil during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Beginning last May 29, the recruits spent five weeks at Toronto Police College where they were introduced to the Criminal Code and the Highway Traffic and Provincial Acts.

They also received Bias Avoidance, Indigenous Experience, Mental Health & Addiction, Peer Intervention and LGBTQ2S training before heading to the Ontario Police College.

At Aylmer, the focus was on academics, police vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms and physical training.

Back at the College, they spent the last 10 weeks doing scenarios, report writing, vehicle stops and additional physical training.

Every graduating class raises funds for a charity.

Through a bake sale and raffles, Class 24-03 raised $3,982 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

The day after graduation, the recruits head out to their Divisions for station orientation before being matched up with a Coach Officer who partners with them.