Jack Ackroyd
Encyclopedia
Jack Wesley Ackroyd was a prominent Canadian Chief of Police
and high level Ontario
civil servant. He served as the chief of the Metro Toronto Police Force from 1980 to 1984. Known as an ideas man, and 'kind cop' he introduced community policing when he was the deputy chief. Though later, during his term as the chief, the biggest mass civilian arrest since the Second World War occurred in Toronto's Gay district. Following his retirement from the police force, he was head of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario
from 1984 to 1990, where he modernized the retail operations and its marketing.
. One of his biggest accomplishments was introducing "community policing" to the Metro force in the late 1970s. This so-called "more humane" style of policing was lauded by the media and politicians alike. Ackroyd will be remembered for this major innovation and for the following dark incidents that occurred on his watch.
sweep. Like in the Yorkville "crisis", Yonge street did not pose a major policing problem. The police were not raising a fuss for something to be done, it was the politicians, this time led by Crombie. Another factor driving this sweep was economic, as the newly opened Eaton Centre
did not want this 'riff-raff' near its business establishment. So, over the course of a few months, Ackroyd – following the political directives issued by city council and the provincial government – ordered his officers to step-up their patrols on this commercial strip and forced the closure of many shops and arrested prostitutes and their clients.
. Again political – not policing – concerns overshadowed how the Gay Community around the Church and Wellesly area should be monitored. Ackroyd, in an interview with the Toronto Star
, talked about the political pressure he was under to do something about the so-called problem:
On February 5, 1981, under his reign as police chief, one of Canada's largest civilian round-ups occurred in the city's gay ghetto. It was the infamous "Bathhouse raids
" and as the CBC reported "the largest mass arrest
in Canada since the October Crisis of 1970." Over 300 people were arrested and Ackroyd defended it by the fact that there were several criminal code violations and that he "...as Chief, have no other course of action but to go along with the direction of
the Crown Attorney." Large protests followed these raids, and the raids became a rallying symbol for the Gay community. Because the raids took place in the middle of a provincial election
, it was seen by many observers including the Toronto Star, that the raids were politically motivated to help the ruling Conservative government gain a majority. Jack Ackroyd's term saw the chief's role increasingly politicized. Two years later, in another interview with the Star, Ackroyd even agrees that the chief's job has become too politicized. His career was an interesting dichotomy of progressive reform with the community-based policing approach, as well as accusations that the police force became an instrument for political advantage as seen in his handling of the policing of the Gay community.
-era government substance control agency, to a modern, customer-friendly corporation that made billions of dollars for the Ontario Government.
Ackroyd hadn't completely abandoned his policing background during this time though. He made sure his policing legacy would endure by donating the funds for an "academic excellence in police related studies" prize, administered by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Research Foundation.
from long-term complications due to the blood disorder. His funeral was held on October 3, 1992, at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
, a house of worship accustomed to holding the city's notable funeral services.
An official tribute, on the floor of the Ontario Legislature, by Bob Runciman
, the MPP for Leeds—Grenville
, stated that "Jack Ackroyd set an example that continues to be the goal of Metro's men and women in blue. While he will be sadly missed by us all, there is comfort in knowing that his style and professional manner will be with us for many years to come."
Chief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
and high level Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
civil servant. He served as the chief of the Metro Toronto Police Force from 1980 to 1984. Known as an ideas man, and 'kind cop' he introduced community policing when he was the deputy chief. Though later, during his term as the chief, the biggest mass civilian arrest since the Second World War occurred in Toronto's Gay district. Following his retirement from the police force, he was head of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario
Liquor Control Board of Ontario
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario is a provincial Crown corporation in Ontario, Canada established in 1927 by Lieutenant Governor William Donald Ross, on the advice of his Premier, Howard Ferguson, to sell liquor, wine, and beer through a chain of retail stores...
from 1984 to 1990, where he modernized the retail operations and its marketing.
Policing career
Jack Ackroyd joined the Toronto Police Department as cadet, in 1941. He rose through the ranks and by the mid 1970s, was a deputy police chief. During this period he earned the nickname "Kojak", after the 1970s TV show and character KojakKojak
Kojak is an American television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, bald New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak. It aired from October 24, 1973, to March 18, 1978, on CBS. It took the time slot of the popular Cannon series, which was moved one hour earlier...
. One of his biggest accomplishments was introducing "community policing" to the Metro force in the late 1970s. This so-called "more humane" style of policing was lauded by the media and politicians alike. Ackroyd will be remembered for this major innovation and for the following dark incidents that occurred on his watch.
1977 Yonge Street clean-up
During the spring and summer of 1977, Toronto's city and metro councils were under pressure to do something about the sex trade and sex shops that were housed in the area along Yonge street from Queen to Bloor streets following the death of the twelve year old shoe-shine boy, Emanuel Jaques. The crisis was more political than real, never-the-less, under pressure from Toronto mayor David Crombie, Ackroyd had to plan and implement a neighbourhood sweep on the scale of the 1968 YorkvilleYorkville, Toronto
Yorkville is a district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, well known for its shopping. It is a former village, annexed by the City of Toronto. It is roughly bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Davenport Road to the north, Yonge Street to the east and Avenue Road to the west, and is considered part of...
sweep. Like in the Yorkville "crisis", Yonge street did not pose a major policing problem. The police were not raising a fuss for something to be done, it was the politicians, this time led by Crombie. Another factor driving this sweep was economic, as the newly opened Eaton Centre
Eaton Centre
Eaton Centre is a name associated with shopping malls in Canada, originating with Eaton's, one of Canada's largest department store chains at the time that these malls were developed. Eaton's partnered with development companies throughout the 1970s and 1980s to develop downtown shopping malls in...
did not want this 'riff-raff' near its business establishment. So, over the course of a few months, Ackroyd – following the political directives issued by city council and the provincial government – ordered his officers to step-up their patrols on this commercial strip and forced the closure of many shops and arrested prostitutes and their clients.
1981 Bathhouse raids
Jack Ackroyd became the Metro Force's Chief of Police in 1980 following the tenure of Harold Adamson (police chief)Harold Adamson (police chief)
Harold Adamson was Chief of the Metropolitan Toronto Police in the 1970s and served as a police officer for 41 years until his retirement in 1980....
. Again political – not policing – concerns overshadowed how the Gay Community around the Church and Wellesly area should be monitored. Ackroyd, in an interview with the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, talked about the political pressure he was under to do something about the so-called problem:
On February 5, 1981, under his reign as police chief, one of Canada's largest civilian round-ups occurred in the city's gay ghetto. It was the infamous "Bathhouse raids
1981 Toronto bathhouse raids
Operation Soap was a raid by the Metropolitan Toronto Police against four gay bathhouses in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which took place on February 5, 1981...
" and as the CBC reported "the largest mass arrest
Mass arrest
A mass arrest occurs when the police apprehend large numbers of suspects at once. This sometimes occurs at illegal protests. Some mass arrests are also used in an effort combat gang activity. This is sometimes controversial, and lawsuits sometimes result...
in Canada since the October Crisis of 1970." Over 300 people were arrested and Ackroyd defended it by the fact that there were several criminal code violations and that he "...as Chief, have no other course of action but to go along with the direction of
the Crown Attorney." Large protests followed these raids, and the raids became a rallying symbol for the Gay community. Because the raids took place in the middle of a provincial election
Ontario general election, 1981
The Ontario general election of 1981 was held on March 19, 1981, to elect members of the 32nd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, it was seen by many observers including the Toronto Star, that the raids were politically motivated to help the ruling Conservative government gain a majority. Jack Ackroyd's term saw the chief's role increasingly politicized. Two years later, in another interview with the Star, Ackroyd even agrees that the chief's job has become too politicized. His career was an interesting dichotomy of progressive reform with the community-based policing approach, as well as accusations that the police force became an instrument for political advantage as seen in his handling of the policing of the Gay community.
Head of the LCBO
At the age of 58, Jack Ackroyd made a career change: he became an Ontario Civil Servant, by accepting the position of vice-chairman of the LCBO. In quick succession, he became the chairman of the public sector corporation, and immediately set about reforming it. Under his watch, the LCBO launched Project Image, which improved the retail end of its operations in many ways. He was responsible for ordering the redesign of the board's logo – which was in use until the early 2000s – to a burgundy and gold design. To improve the image of the retail locations, he made sure that newly designed uniforms were issued to sales staff. In an effort to bring more modern in-store marketing techniques, he authorized store managers to mount discreet product displays. General marketing outside the retail locations was modernized to include bus shelter posters and other forms of advertising. Ackroyd also made the visibility of the higher quality Vintages stores more known and important. His term as the LCBO's chairman can be summarized as bringing the board from a ProhibitionProhibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
-era government substance control agency, to a modern, customer-friendly corporation that made billions of dollars for the Ontario Government.
Ackroyd hadn't completely abandoned his policing background during this time though. He made sure his policing legacy would endure by donating the funds for an "academic excellence in police related studies" prize, administered by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Research Foundation.
Sickness and death
Jack Ackroyd spent many months confined to a hospital bed due to a blood illness. He died in the early morning hours of September 30, 1992, at Toronto General HospitalToronto General Hospital
The Toronto General Hospital , is a part of the University Health Network, and a major teaching hospital in downtown Toronto, Ontario. It is located in the Discovery District, directly north of the Hospital for Sick Children, across Gerrard Street West, and east of Princess Margaret Hospital and...
from long-term complications due to the blood disorder. His funeral was held on October 3, 1992, at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, in Toronto, Canada, was erected at 230 St. Clair Avenue West in 1914 as a Methodist congregation, and named for department store founder Timothy Eaton....
, a house of worship accustomed to holding the city's notable funeral services.
An official tribute, on the floor of the Ontario Legislature, by Bob Runciman
Bob Runciman
Robert William "Bob" Runciman is a veteran Canadian politician and former provincial Leader of the Opposition in the Ontario Legislature. First elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1981, he held the seat continuously for Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario for the next 29 years...
, the MPP for Leeds—Grenville
Leeds—Grenville
Leeds—Grenville is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979.It consists of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.-History:...
, stated that "Jack Ackroyd set an example that continues to be the goal of Metro's men and women in blue. While he will be sadly missed by us all, there is comfort in knowing that his style and professional manner will be with us for many years to come."