Showing Pride in Community

The Pride Flag was hoisted at Toronto Police headquarters on May 30, celebrating 2SLGBTQI+ communities at the start of Pride Month.

“Here at the Toronto Police Service, member wellness continues to be a top priority, and this includes ensuring all of our members feel represented and supported,” said Chief Myron Demkiw, who gathered with dozens of Service and community members at Headquarters to raise the flag. “Every individual deserves to be respected for who they are, and raising this flag sends a clear message that our work environment is both welcoming and safe. It also sends a clear message that we will continue to ensure progress keeps moving forward.”

Chief Demkiw thanked members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Consultative Committee, the 2SLGBTQI+ Internal Support network and all the partners and allies supporting a positive relationship with communities across the city.

“I want to reaffirm the Toronto Police’s commitment to earning trust with 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and to doing everything we can to help ensure they are safe from criminal acts and hate,” Demkiw said.

Toronto Police Service Board member Lisa Kostakis said the flag raising is a powerful demonstration of unity.

“We recognize that this initiative is not solely about our organization,” she said. “It is about all of us coming together to support both our Service members and our community members across Toronto. It is about supporting our members internally, continuing to build bridges and trust with the public and acknowledging the importance of the support of allies.”

While the design of the Progress Pride Flag points to the need to continue to create change, Kostakis said the arrow in the flag is a powerful symbol of inclusion, forward movement and a call to action for change.

“We know that change must be collaborative to be real and sustained,” she added. “Our community partners play an essential role in our transformation. We must continuously work to truly understand each other and to build and foster strong and meaningful bridges. And we must continue to look inward as an organization, taking the measures necessary to foster a workplace that is genuinely welcoming and respectful of diversity in all its forms.”

Flags were raised at Toronto Police facilities across the city.

For the Service’s 2SLGBTQ1+ Liaison Officer Sergeant Robert Chevalier, the flag also signifies inclusion and love.

“Doing the flag raising at headquarters and all participating city-wide facilities internally, we are sending a message of inclusion and support for the 2SLGBTQ1+ community and to the broader community we serve,” he said.