New Constables Proudly Take On Responsibility

Shedding the title of cadet and stepping forward as sworn officers marks the moment police recruits move from promise to responsibility, said Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief Rob Johnson at their graduation ceremony on February 23 at the police college.

“After tonight, those epaulets will change to display your police badge number,” he noted. “You wear the Toronto Police Service uniform proudly tonight, and you will continue to wear it proudly during your careers. And when you are proud of something, what do you do? You take care of it. When you wear this uniform, you represent the Toronto Police Service as a whole. You represent more than 8,000 members who continue to step up every day with integrity to keep Toronto safe. So that badge number on your epaulets after tonight, on your shoulders, carries a great deal of pride, just as much as it carries a great deal of responsibility.

Pride and accountability, Johnson said, are inseparable in policing.

“The two go together,” he pointed out. “The people of this city will place their trust in you. It is a trust that must be earned anew each and every day. This is why every contact matters. Your presence, and how you engage, makes a difference in people’s lives in ways you will often not see… Every time you remove dangerous drugs or guns from our streets, every time you are the first to show up when people need you the most and every time you engage with our communities in a positive way, you earn trust and you make a difference.”

Johnson said that ensuring the new officers have what they need to succeed also means making sure they feel supported every step of the way.

“Over the course of your career, you will be able to count on so many outstanding colleagues, mentors and leaders that will support you as you continue to learn and serve,” he noted. “It is also very important that you continuously practice self-care. Our health, safety, and wellbeing are essential for us to serve our communities effectively.”

Johnson noted that at a time of growing global instability, people are looking to their institutions, including the Toronto Police Service, for steadiness, leadership and reassurance, and that the Service must do everything in its power to rise to the moment.

“More than ever, we need good people, people like you,” he added. “You all have your own reasons for wanting to become police officers, and many of you took different paths to get here. Yet you all share one thing in common and that is your compassion and your selfless desire to serve your communities. Thank you for answering the call.”

The opportunity to speak at the graduation ceremony carried deep personal significance for Johnson, as he watched with pride while his own son stood among the ranks of the newly sworn officers.

Daniel Johnson, who is assigned to 14 Division, said it meant a great deal to graduate in front of his father, adding that he understands he has big shoes to fill and is ready to live up to the example set before him.

“I am very proud of my dad and everything he has accomplished and am excited to create my own path,” the former Special Constable added.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow warmly welcomed the recruits to the Toronto Police family.

“Policing is a tough profession,” she said. “Some of us run away from danger. You run toward it. You are very well trained to do this job because of the phenomenal training you have received. As you step forward to serve our city, remember to look to your family. They are the ones who sustain you, support you and stand behind you every single day.”

A total of 60% of the graduating class speaks a language other than English. In addition, almost half of the class holds university degrees.

“That breadth of experience and lived perspective matters deeply,” noted Toronto Police Service Board Chair Shelley Carroll. “Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and effective, meaningful policing depends on collaboration and connection with the communities we serve. When people see themselves reflected in their police service, trust grows. When young people from historically marginalized communities feel seen, heard and protected, that is how we move forward together.”

She reminded the new officers that they carry a responsibility and an opportunity to help build a safer, more compassionate and more connected city.

“Your voices, your languages, and your life experiences will strengthen partnerships, deepen understanding and help foster meaningful relationships across our neighbourhoods,” added Carroll. “Today marks the start of a career that will ask much of you. You will respond in moments of crisis, you will face complex challenges and you will be called upon to act with professionalism and empathy.

“But policing is not only about enforcement. It is about prevention, partnership and working hand in hand with communities to truly create lasting safety. There will be difficult days, but there will also be moments of profound impact, when your presence reassures a child, when your compassion brings comfort or when your courage makes all the difference. Those moments are what define this work.”

The graduating class of 89, included 13 women.

Policing is Hayley Callander’s second career and a goal that has been a long time in the making.

Before entering law enforcement, the mother of three ran a daycare for nine years and previously worked as a peer support worker.

“I always wanted to be in emergency services, but being a young mom at a young age prevented me from pursuing my dream,” said Callander. “At this point in my life, I said it is time and I am going to do it. I have a lot of life experiences that I feel will serve me well in my new role.”

She said that the intense and extensive training she underwent prepared her for the challenges ahead.

“We went through flash scenarios and realistic radio calls that made everything feel real,” said Callander. “Your heart rate goes up, and it feels like this is it. All of our instructors did a great job. I am ready.”

While working security at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Chavaughan Barrett had frequent interactions with Toronto Police officers.

Those experiences gave him valuable first-hand insight into policing as a career and confirmed what he already felt, and that was that policing was his calling.

“They made me feel like I was part of a family and something bigger than myself,” he said. “There was a strong emphasis on teamwork and always doing the right thing.”

Barrett, who is assigned to 32 Division, knew early on that law enforcement was the path he wanted to pursue and never seriously considered doing anything else.

“I am driven to help people who don’t feel heard or represented,” he said. “I understand there are concerns and perceptions about policing within the community, and I want to be part of closing that gap and building stronger trust.”

Last year, Barrett and two other Yorkdale Mall security officers were recognized for their outstanding contributions to public safety and for playing a key role in building trust between citizens and law enforcement.

They helped Toronto Police arrest a violent perpetrator who attempted to stab an officer in the mall in February 2025.

The suspect committed a robbery at a store in the mall the previous day.

After Barrett and his colleagues, along with two police officers, attempted to apprehend the suspect, a scuffle ensued, and the suspect attempted to stab one of the officers with a sharp object.

The graduating class included Aksharkumar Patel and Anthony Guerra, who took part in the Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) program as students.

“The reason I got into that program is that I wanted to be a police officer and I thought that would be the ideal place to get the experience,” said Guerra, who is going to 51 Division. “Policing is an exciting career, and I am drawn to it because I have a desire to help people and be actively involved in my community.”

Since the YIPI program was launched 20 years ago, 47 graduates have joined TPS, of which 32 are uniformed officers.

Several prizes were presented at the graduation.

Owen Angus Yamada earned the High Academic Achievement Award with a mark of 96 percent and the High Performance in Fitness honour, Jordan Sit was the recipient of the Harry Mayzell Leadership Award, Luka Milanovic captured the High Performance in Fitness Award and Sandor Szakacs won the Most Improved Fitness Award.

Ismahan Abdi was the recipient of the Gulshan Kassamali Diversity & Inclusion Memorial Award and Edward Topley was the winner 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.

The Glen Cole Memorial Award was presented to class valedictorian Jennifer Malone in honour of the respected Citytv broadcaster who died in 1990.

“One of the most important lessons we learned is to act as partners with those we serve,” said Malone. “Our badge represents much more than a symbol of our authority. It is a symbol of trust, responsibility and unwavering dedication to serve the people of Toronto.”

She encouraged her fellow graduates to stay true to themselves, a message rooted in integrity, authenticity and self-awareness.

“When answering a call, the badge you receive today and the letters across your chest will be a symbol of hope and trust,” she said. “When faced with people on their worst days, it will be our responsibility to offer our strength. There will be many times in our career that will test our resilience, patience and character. When faced with these challenges, our most valuable tool will often come from how we communicate and our ability to show empathy.

“These skills will be the foundation for building trust and ensuring that our communities continue to be safe as well. This is a task that won’t be easily accomplished. But by collaborating with those in our communities, it is one that will be all the more attainable.”

Beginning last September 3, 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.

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.

Every graduating class raises funds for a charity. This group collected 10 full stocked knapsacks with essential school supplies and raised $1,400 through a raffle for Kids with Incarcerated Parents Canada.

A total of two officers from the United Arab Emirates graduated as part of the International Association of Chiefs of Police -UAE Ministry of Interior Officer Exchange program.

This is the is the second time the Toronto Police College and the Ontario Police College have hosted international students during recruit training. Four officers completed the training in February 2025.