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Tuesday September 7, 2010
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Three stalwarts in black community celebrated by Toronto police
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
 | | | Photo by Eddie Grant - From left: Former Justice of Peace, Arthur Downes; Dr Tom Massiah and Dr Sheldon Taylor were recognized by the Toronto Police Service at its official kick-off of Black History Month 2010 last Thursday, January 28 at the Toronto Police Headquarters. The event was entitled “The Recollection”. | |
Neil Armstrong
TORONTO:
Three stalwarts in the black community were recognized for their contribution to police-community relations by the Toronto Police Service during its kick-off of Black History Month 2010 last Thursday at Police Headquarters.
Dr. Thomas Massiah, Dr. Sheldon Taylor and former Justice of Peace C. Arthur Downes were special guests at the event entitled, “The recollection of how, when and where it all happened”. Also in attendance was Larry McLarty, the first black Toronto police officer who was hired on January 25, 1960. McLarty was born in Jamaica on January 12, 1929. He served eight years as a police officer there before deciding to immigrate to Canada. On August 1, 1992 he retired after 32 years of service.
Dr. Massiah, a graduate of Sir George Williams, McGill, and l’Universite de Montreal liaised with the Toronto police, as chairman on behalf of the National Black Coalition from 1972-1975, attempting to improve police-community relations. Downes, a Justice of Peace from 1978-1997, has published a number of presentations on Policing in Ontario; West Indies Migration in the Diocese of Toronto; and a Report on immigration complaint mechanism, Osgoode Society to a federal commission.
Dr. Taylor, a historian and well-known community worker has spent nearly 30 years working with youth across cultures. He lectures in the Department of History at the University of Toronto.
“These worthy individuals are being recognized as the first community members to develop and implement Liaison Committees between the black community and the Toronto Police Service. We are grateful for their dedication and initiative. They are proud of their heritage and of the communities they serve and we are proud of them,” said Police Chief William (Bill) Blair. Former Ontario government minister, Mary Anne Chambers described the men as pioneers.
Dr. Alok Mukherjee, Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, said remembering is an important part of a people’s history.
“It is by remembering that we gain understanding, celebrate our collective achievements, and learn from our experiences as a people. It is the foundation on which we build our present and future,” he said.
Barbados-born Deputy Chief Keith Forde said it was important to know what our predecessors went through. “We owe it to these people that have gone before us,” said Forde underscoring the significance of the history of visible minorities in Toronto, Ontario and Canada.
Jamaica-born Staff Inspector David McLeod spoke of the need to invest oneself into the community, noting that Toronto Police Service is a great organization. Jamaica-born Deputy Chief Peter Sloly said change at Toronto Police Service was not only happening at the top of the tree but also at its roots. Having worked with police chiefs Boyd and Blair on the Community Consultative Committees, he noted that the struggle for human rights has been a collective effort. “Blacks within the police service have led this struggle from the very beginning. We haven’t done this alone,” he said.
Performers included the sextet acappella gospel, LYNC (Living Your Name Christ) and Revivaltime Tabernacle Youth Choir. The master of ceremonies was Police Constable Kenrick Bagnall.
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