Welcoming New Constables to Police Family
Welcoming new police constables to the Toronto Police family is one of Chief Myron Demkiw’s favourite parts of his job, relishing his latest opportunity to present badges to 92 new officers at the graduation ceremony on May 29 at the Toronto Police College.
“Every time I hand out a new badge, I can feel the energy, the pride and the dedication to service,” said Demkiw. “The dedication to service is more important than ever. In a world with a lot of uncertainty right now, we need people we can trust, people who are ready to step up for something bigger than themselves, people like you.
“Although you come from different backgrounds, you all share one thing in common and that is your compassion and your selfless desire to serve your communities. Thank you for stepping up.”
Demkiw shared some important lessons he wished he had known when he graduated 35 years ago to help bring out the best version of the graduates as they set out to 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,” he noted. “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.”
The Chief said self-care is vital to safeguarding themselves against experiences they will face and building resilience as a police officer.
“Our health, safety and well-being are essential for us to serve our communities effectively,” added Demkiw. “Encountering unfortunate experiences is inevitable in our profession. You will deal with people during their worst and possibly saddest moments and those interactions may have the potential to be profoundly traumatizing.”
The Chief told the recruits to take advantage of the myriad learning opportunities that the Service offers.
“You have so many career paths and opportunities in front of you,” he said. “I look forward to seeing where this new beginning takes you. Despite the world going through turbulent times right now, I truly believe this is one of the most exciting moments to be joining the Toronto Police Service. It is a moment to take ownership and make a difference. Every time you will 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 communities in a positive way that builds trust, you will make a difference.”
With their favourite officer now a member of the Toronto police family, Demkiw reminded family members they, by extension, are also part of that family.
The class reflects the city’s diversity, with recruits coming from different backgrounds half speaking a second language including Urdu, Vietnamese and Croatian.
“The diversity is of profound importance,” said Toronto Police Service Board member Ann Morgan. “Toronto is among the most diverse cities in the world and the strength of our police service depends upon reflecting the very communities it serves. Each of you carries both a deep responsibility and a great opportunity to contribute to a safer, kinder and more connected city.
“Your varied backgrounds, languages and perspectives will be essential in fostering understanding, building trust and ensuring that every Torontonian can see themselves reflected in those who serve and protect them. When young people from historically marginalized communities look to you and feel seen and protected, that is how trust is established.”
New Constable Jacqueline Owens to followed in her uncle's footsteps, seeing him as a leader in his community.
“I was only six years old,” she said. “As I got older, I had great interactions with police officers. They were people who I found very helpful and kind.”
Graduating from Western University in 2018 with a degree in criminology and psychology, Owens said the preparation to become a uniformed officer was intense.
“It was a lot more than I expected,” said the former collegiate lacrosse player. “Learning the Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code and becoming acquainted with the defensive training was new to me. But the instructors were patient and very clear in their communication. I am prepared to serve and protect.”
In the summer of 2018, Harout Shahinian spent the school break working at 32 Division as part of the Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) program.
“That experience was the stepping stone for me getting to this point,” said the Sir John A Macdonald Collegiate Institute graduate. “I met some amazing people and the experience was uplifting.”
After his YIPI stint, Shahinian volunteered with TPS, completed the Police Foundations program at Seneca College, volunteered for two years with a seniors program serving meals and calling bingo and joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist with 32 Signal Regiment before applying to TPS in July 2024.
“I also applied to another Service, but I didn’t hear back from them,” he said. “I was so happy when Toronto called and I will make them proud.”
In Bosnia where several family members are in policing, Sanela Muftic yearned to follow them.
“I guess I didn’t have the courage because policing is different in that country,” she said.
With graduate and undergraduate degrees, Muftic resided in Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia teaching English as a Second Language before coming to the Greater Toronto Area for a better opportunity.
“I quickly realized that Toronto is very diverse and with my experience dealing with different people in several countries, I saw policing as the right career for me to serve a diverse range of communities and help people in their worst moments. Also, as someone who survived war in the 1990s, I know what it is like to be in a vulnerable position and to have someone who has empathy and compassion.”
Muftic, who wears a hijab, was successful on her second attempt with TPS.
“After being unsuccessful in 2021, I had my first child and the focus was on him,” she said. “But I didn’t give up on being a uniformed Toronto Police member.”
Community work is a key component of community policing.
Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Anojan Theivwekakumaran’s ethnicity prevented him from pursuing a career in policing in his home country.
Arriving in Canada in September 2019 as an international student, he faced many challenges as a newcomer.
“I am passionate about serving others and I knew policing was a profession that would allow me to do that and be successful,” said the former banker.
After participating in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) one-month Diverse & Inclusive Pre-cadet Experience (DICE) program focused on removing barriers that impact racialized and underrepresented groups who aspire to join law enforcement, Theivwekakumaran applied to Toronto Police.
“My heart is with Toronto and this is the only Service I wanted to work for,” he said. “Though I didn’t have any experience in policing, the team of instructors helped me and the other cadets to get through this strenuous process.”
Several prizes were presented at the graduation.
Colin Doe was the recipient of the Harry Mayzell Leadership Award, Matthew Haleth captured the High Performance in Fitness Award, Miles Morell won the Most Improved Fitness Award and Obaidullah Roeen was recognized with the Gulshan Kassamali Diversity & Inclusion Memorial Award.
Jonathan Photopoulos was presented 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 Longueuil during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Matthew Steer captured the High Academic Achiever Award with a mark of 98 percent and valedictorian Milena Glumac received the Glen Cole Memorial Award.
“We came from different backgrounds and different cities with different dreams,” the valedictorian remarked. “Some of us had dreamed of wearing the badge for years while others took a leap of faith, knowing that this was the moment to make a difference. But what we all shared then, and what we all share now, is the same purpose which is to serve and protect the people of Toronto and to carry out our duties with integrity, humility, and courage.
“…We’re not just joining a Service. We are joining a legacy. The Toronto Police Service has a long and proud history, and now we become part of shaping its future, one that demands not just strength, but empathy and not just action, but understanding.”
Beginning last November 27, 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 Toronto Police 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.
Class 25-01 raised $2,500 for The Hospital for Sick Children.
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.
