Toronto Police Service
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Police Service (TPS), formerly the Metropolitan Toronto Police, is the police service for the city of Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. It is the largest municipal police service in Canada and second largest police force in Canada after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP). At a budget of almost $1 billion it ranks second only to the Toronto Transit Commission
(TTC) in city budgetary expense.
The Toronto Police Service, was founded in 1834 when the city of Toronto was first created from the town of York. (Prior to that, local able-bodied male citizens were required to report for night duty as special constables for a fixed number of nights a year on the pain of fine or imprisonment in a system known as "watch and ward".)
The Toronto Police is one of the English-speaking world’s oldest modern municipal police departments; older than, for example, the legendary New York City Police Department
which was formed in 1845 or the Boston Police Department
which was established in 1839. The London Metropolitan Police
of 1829 is generally recognized as the first modern municipal department. In 1835, Toronto retained five fulltime constables—a ratio of about one officer for every 1,850 citizens. Their daily pay was set at 5 shillings for day duty and 7 shillings, 6 pence, for night duty. In 1837 the constables’ annual pay was fixed at £75 per annum, a lucrative city position when compared to the mayor’s annual pay of £250 at the time.
From 1834 to 1859, the Toronto Police was a corrupt and notoriously political force with its constables loyal to the local aldermen who personally appointed police officers in their own wards for the duration of their incumbency. Toronto constables on numerous occasions suppressed opposition candidate meetings and took sides during bitter sectarian violence between Orange Order
and Irish Catholic radical factions in the city. A provincial government report in 1841 described the Toronto Police as "formidable engines of oppression". Although constables were issued uniforms in 1837, one contemporary recalled that the Toronto Police was "without uniformity, except in one respect—they were uniformly slovenly." After an excessive outbreak of street violence involving Toronto Police misconduct, including an episode where constables brawled with Toronto's firemen in one incident, and stood by doing nothing in another incident while enraged firemen burned down a visiting circus when its clowns jumped a lineup at a local brothel, the entire Toronto Police force, along with its chief, were fired in 1859.
In the 19th century, the Toronto Police mostly focused on the suppression of rebellion in the city—particularly during the Fenian
threats of 1860 to 1870. The Toronto Police were probably Canada's first security intelligence agency when they established a network of spies and informants throughout Canada West in 1864 to combat US Army recruiting agents attempting to induce British Army soldiers stationed in Canada to desert to serve in the Union Army in the Civil War. The Toronto Police operatives later turned to spying on the activities of the Fenians and filed reports to the Chief from as far as Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago and New York City. When in December 1864, the Canada West secret frontier police was established under Stipendiary Magistrate Gilbert McMicken, some of the Toronto Police agents were reassigned to this new agency.
In 1863, the Toronto Police were also used as "Indian fighters" during the Manitoulin Island Incident when some fifty natives armed with knives forced the fishery inspector William Gibbard and a fishery operation to withdraw from unceded tribal lands on Lake Huron. Thirteen armed Toronto police officers, along with constables from Barrie, were dispatched to Manitoulin Island to assist the government in retaking the fishery operation, but were forced back when the natives advanced now armed with rifles. The police withdrew but were later reinforced and eventually arrested the entire band but not before William Gibbard was killed by unknown parties. (Sidney L. Harring White Man's Law: Native People in Nineteenth-Century Canadian Jurisprudence Toronto: Osgood Society-University of Toronto Press, 1998. pp. 152–153)
In the 1870s, as the Fenian threat began to gradually wane and the Victorian moral reform movement gained momentum, Toronto police primarily functioned in the role of "urban missionaries" whose function it was to regulate unruly and immoral behaviour among the "lower classes". They were almost entirely focused on arresting drunks, prostitutes, disorderlies, and violators of Toronto’s ultra-strict Sunday "blue law
"
In the days before public social services, the force functioned as a social services mega-agency. Prior the creation of the Toronto Humane Society in 1887 and the Children’s Aid Society in 1891, the police oversaw animal and child welfare, including the enforcement of child support payments. They operated the city's ambulance service and acted as the Board of Health. Police stations at the time were designed with space for the housing of homeless, as no other public agency in Toronto dealt with this problem. Shortly before the Great Depression, in 1925, the Toronto Police housed 16,500 homeless people that year.
The Toronto Police regulated street-level business: cab drivers, street vendors, corner grocers, tradesmen, rag men, junk dealers, laundry operators. Under public order provisions, the Toronto Police was responsible for the licensing and regulation of dance halls, pool halls, theatres, and later movie houses. It was responsible for censoring the content of not only theatrical performances and movies, but of all literature in the city ranging from books and magazines to posters and advertising.
The Toronto Police also suppressed labour movement
s which were perceived as anarchist
threats. The establishment of the mounted unit is directly related to the four-month Toronto streetcar strike of 1886, when authorities called on the Governor General's Horse Guard Regiment to assist in suppressing the strike.
As for serious criminal investigations, the Toronto Police frequently (but not always) contracted with private investigators from the Pinkerton’s Detective Agency
until the 20th century when it developed its own internal investigation and intelligence capacity.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the Toronto Police under Chief Dennis "Deny" Draper
, a retired Brigadier General
and former Conservative candidate, returned to its function as an agency to suppress political dissent. Its notorious "Red Squad
" brutally dispersed demonstrations by labour unions and by unemployed and homeless people during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Suspicious of "foreigners", the police lobbied the city of Toronto to pass legislation banning public speeches in languages other than English, curtailing union organization among Toronto's vast immigrant populations working in sweat shops.
After several scandals, including a call by Chief Draper to have reporters "shot" and his being arrested driving drunk, the city appointed in 1948 a new Police Chief from its own ranks for the first time in the department's history: John Chisholm
, a very able senior police inspector. In 1955, the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Police Commissioners was formed in preparation for the amalgamation of the 13 police forces in the municipality Metropolitan Toronto into a unified police force with Chisholm as chief of the unified force. Unfortunately Chisholm was not up to the politics of the Chief's office, especially in facing off with Fred "Big Daddy" Gardiner who engineered almost single-handedly the formation of Metropolitan Toronto
in the 1950s. As the Toronto City Police absorbed the surrounding police departments and grew in size and complexity, Chisholm found himself unable to manage the huge agency and its Byzantine politics. In 1958, after a number of conflicts with Gardiner and members of the newly expanded Metropolitan Toronto Board of Police Commissioners
, Chief Chisholm drove to High Park on the city's west end, parked his car and committed suicide with his service revolver. The late Staff Superintendent Jack Webster
, one of the officers who arrived at the scene of the Chief's death and who would upon his retirement in the 1990s become the Force Historian at the Toronto Police Museum, would later write, "Suicide is a constant partner in every police car."
With the creation of Metro Toronto
in 1954, the Toronto Police was eventually merged on January 1, 1957, with the other municipal forces to form the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force:
In November 1995, the agency was renamed the Metropolitan Toronto Police Service which in turn, in 1998, became the Toronto Police Service after the amalgamation of the former municipalities of metropolitan Toronto.
Today, the Toronto Police Service is responsible for overall local police service in Toronto and works with the other emergency services (Toronto EMS
(TEMS) and Toronto Fire Services
(TFS)) and other police forces in the GTA including:
For most of 2005, the police union
and the Toronto Police Services Board
(the civilian governing body) were involved in lengthy contract negotiations. The rank and file had been without a contract since the end of 2004, and conducted a work-to-rule
campaign in the fall of 2005. The police force is an essential public service and are legally prohibited from striking
.
, Lester Donaldson. The shooting was the first of eight over the next four years, in which mostly unarmed Black people
were victims. Three days after his death, the Black Action Defence Committee
, a group of local activists, was formed. The group made headlines when they introduced the issue of race in the coroner's inquest into Donaldson's killing. In 1990, Toronto police officer David Deviney was charged with manslaughter in connection with the killing, though he was later acquitted.
On May 4, 1992, tension between Toronto Police and the city's Black community reached its peak. After the fourth police killing of a young Black man, in as many years, a peaceful protest on Yonge Street
later turned into a riot
. 30 people were arrested and 37 police officers were injured in the riot.
A mandatory Coroner's Inquest took place into the police killing of 17-year-old Jeffrey Reodica. Although accounts differ, it is generally accepted that Reodica was part of a group of Filipino
teenagers pursuing a group of white teenagers on May 21, 2004, following altercations between the two groups. Plainclothes Toronto police officer Det.-Const. Dan Belanger and his partner Det. Allen Love were in the process of arresting Reodica when he was shot by the officers, the teen died in hospital three days later. Belanger and his partner, Det. Allen Love, were eventually cleared by the Special Investigations Unit
(SIU) who accepted their story that Reodica lunged at them with a knife.
In response to the recommendations of the Coroner's Inquest jury, Chief Blair recommended that all plainclothes police officers be issued arm bands and raid jackets bearing the word 'Police' in an effort to increase their visibility in critical situations. Unmarked cars, which are already equipped with a plug-in police light, will also be supplied with additional emergency equipment, including a siren package. The proposals will be phased in over three years beginning in 2008. Undercover officers will also have to wear, carry or have access to standard police use-of-force options such as pepper spray and batons.
In 2004, eight people were shot by Toronto Police, and six of them died from their wounds. The SIU investigated each shooting, but found all of them to be justified.
In 2005, the police force was faced with a spike in shootings across Toronto and increased concern among residents. Police Chief William Blair and Mayor David Miller asked for additional resources and asked for diligence from residents to contend with this issue. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty
promised to work with Toronto to fight crime.
In July 2007, Toronto Police were involved in an international incident in which their members pepper-spray
ed, taser
ed, and handcuffed members of the Chilean national soccer team in an attempt to keep control of crowds after their semi-final match in the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. A police spokesman explained on CBC Radio
on the programme Here and Now that police took action against individual members of the Chilean team when they "displayed aggressive behaviour" by vandalizing a bus and arguing with fans. The actions of the police were criticised by the TV and print media in Chile
, and initially also in Canada, but following a news conference and more detailed description of behaviour by the Chilean team the criticism (outside of Chile) was withdrawn. FIFA president Sepp Blatter
later apologized to the Toronto mayor for the incident, and instigated disciplinary action against the officials and players of the Chilean team.
in favour of the year's proposed budget. Provided below are historical gross and net funding levels of the TPS as a part of the city's operating budgets.
As of 2011, a tentaive agreement will make Toronto police the country’s highest-paid officers by increasing wages over 11 per cent over the next four years.
is the highest-ranking officer of the Toronto Police Service (until the 1960s the position was known as chief constable
). Most chiefs have been chosen amongst the ranks of Toronto force and promoted/appointed from the ranks of deputy chief; Fantino was hired away from the York Regional Police
, but he had been a career office with Metro Toronto Police.
Toronto Police Department
Metro Toronto Police (up to 1995), Metro Toronto Police Service (up to 1998) and Toronto Police Service (1998 onwards)
, a civilian agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. The SIU is dedicated to maintaining one law, ensuring equal justice before the law among both the police and the public. They assure that the criminal law is applied appropriately to police conduct, as determined through independent investigations, increasing public confidence in the police services. Complaints involving police conduct that do not result in a serious injury or death must be referred to the appropriate police service or to another oversight agency, such as the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.
Toronto Police Headquarters is on College Street
near Bay Street
in the downtown area. The former HQ at Jarvis Street was turned into a museum (and since re-located to current HQ). The current site was once home to the Toronto YMCA. The current sign in over the main entrance still reads "Metropolitan Toronto Police Headquarters" and still has the seal of Metropolitan Toronto
, and since 2007 has the current Toronto Police Service crest.
The Toronto Police Service is divided into two field areas and 17 divisions (police stations or precinct
s):
Note: Public Safety Unit is located at 4610 Finch Avenue East next to the former Charles O. Bick Police College
Support units in the Toronto Police Service consists of:
Detective Services
Operational Services
Policing on most 400-series highways (like King's Highways 401, 400, 427, 404) are in the jurisdiction of the Ontario Provincial Police
. Toronto Police Traffic Services is responsible for patrolling on local highways (Allen Road, Don Valley Parkway, F.G. Gardiner Expressway and the Toronto section of Highway 409).
Its officers are among the best paid in Canada. In October 2008, the Toronto Police Service was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers
by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Toronto Star
newspaper.
The Chief Administrative Officer is a civilian post, held by Tony Veneziano.
Ranks
in Aylmer, Ontario
and then six weeks of final training at Toronto Police College. Charles O. Bick College
was closed in July 2009.
Front line officers wear dark navy blue shirts, cargo pants (with red stripe) and boots. Winter jackets are either dark navy blue jacket design–Eisenhower
style, single breasted front closing, two patch type breast pockets, shoulder straps, gold buttons, or yellow windbreaker style with the word POLICE in reflective silver and black at the back (generally worn by the bicycle and traffic services units). All ranks shall wear dark navy blue clip on ties when wearing long-sleeve uniforms.
Auxiliary officers (shown to the right) wear light blue shirts (long sleeve for winter and short for summer), with the badging of auxiliary on the bottom of the crest. Originally front line officer also wore light blue shirts but changed to the current navy blue shirts in the Fall of 2000.
Hats can be styled after baseball cap
s, combination caps,or fur trim Yukon (similar to the Ushanka
) hats for winter. Motorcycle units have white helmets. Black or reflective yellow gloves are also provided to officers with Traffic Services. Front line officers usually wear combination caps since that is the location of their badge. Prior to the 1990s, female officers wore bowler caps instead of combination caps. Auxiliary officers wear combination caps with a checkered red and black band. The Mounted Unit wear black Canadian military fur wedge cap
during the winter months and Custodian helmet
for ceremonial use.
As is the case with all Ontario Law Enforcement Officers, uniformed officers wear name tags. They are in the style of "A. Example" where the first letter of the first name is written and the last name next to it. Name tags are usually stitched on with white stitching on a black background, but they also have pin-styled with black lettering on a gold plate.
Senior officers wear white shirts and a black Eisenhower style jacket.
with a marine unit.
TPS has a fleet of 15 boats based along marine unit stations in south Etobicoke (Humber Bay West Park), Toronto Harbour and Scarborough (Bluffer's Park):
TPS Marine unit works in conjunction with:
The horse unit was formed in 1886 to provide crowd control and now stationed at the Horse Palace at the Canadian National Exhibition
(CNE). The unit has been based at Casa Loma
, Toronto Zoo
, Sunnybrook Stables and at various division in Scarborough, Ontario
, and North York, Ontario
. The unit has a strength of 27 horses and 40 officers.
Police horses Honest Ed and Spencer were invited to the swearing in of United States President Barack Obama
by Michigan’s Multi- Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard.
(Retired to Durham horse farm, September, 2011)
Horses killed while on duty:
As the city’s policing needs expanded, so did the continued civilianization of Court Services. In 1984, the first civilian supervisors were trained to replace the Police Sergeants. These supervisors reported to a Detective Sergeant who was responsible for managing all the TPS personnel assigned to a particular court location.
In the mid 1980s, the Summons Bureau became a part of Court Services and the Civilian Summons Servers and support staff took on an expanded role under the newly created Document Services Section. The title Summons Server was changed to Document Server to reflect the expanded responsibilities. Document Servers are responsible for serving summonses, subpoenas and other court documents on individuals required to attend Toronto courts.
Court Services later took on the responsibility of overseeing the Matrons, now referred to as Custodial Officers, which is a small but dedicated group of employees tasked with managing female prisoners at a central location.
By 1990, Court Officers had taken over the responsibility of transporting prisoners in specialized wagons between the court locations, divisions and correctional facilities; a task previously performed only by uniformed Police Officers. This centralized service became known as the Prisoner Transportation Section. By 1995 Court Services promoted its first civilian to the position of Location Administrator, replacing the Detective Sergeants who were formerly in charge of the court locations. Today all sections within Court Services are managed by civilian Location Administrators. These Location Administrators report to one of two Staff Inspectors, who in turn report to the Superintendent of Court Services.
The role of the Special Constable within Court Services has developed significantly beyond its original mandate. As new laws were introduced by Parliament, and the City’s law enforcement needs became increasingly complex, Court Services evolved to assist the TPS in meeting those demands.
Court Services now employs over 700 of the Service’s 2500 civilian employees. It comprises several subunits including Prisoner Transportation, Document Services, the Training Section, and the Computer Assisted Scheduling of Courts (CASC). The role of the Special Constables within these subunits includes the service of legal documents; the execution of warrants; the collection DNA samples from convicted offenders; assisting the TPS Public Order Unit in maintaining order during public demonstrations; and being involved in all aspects of the Court Officer hiring and training process. In addition, members of Court Service are often utilized by the TPS for other specialized community outreach initiatives, such as the TPS Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit; the TPS United Way fund raising initiative; and the Toronto Drug Treatment Court.
The growth in size of the Court Services Unit necessitated the creation of several specialized functions. A centralized Risk Management Section was created, tasked with the responsibility of investigating any complaints and disciplinary issues involving Court Services personnel. It is staffed by a team of detectives, under the supervision of a Detective Sergeant. The position of Crown Police Liaison Officer was also created allowing for a Detective Sergeant at each criminal court location who is dedicated to assisting the Crown’s Office with the processing of court cases.
As the City’s demand for additional court rooms increases, so does the responsibility of Court Services. There are currently 16 court locations across Toronto, with a total of 257 court rooms. In 2008, approximately 106,000 in-custody accused appeared in these court rooms. Also in that year, the Prisoner Transportation Section transported approximately 186,000 prisoners between police divisions and to and from detention centres. This required a professional staff of clerks, Police Officers and Special Constables, all working collaboratively in an impressive demonstration of excellence through people and partnerships.
Their uniform consists of a blue shirt, black cargo pants with blue stripe, a black vest and a cap with blue stripe. Boots are similar to front line TPS officers. In winter months TPE officers have a blue jacket with reflective trim. Patches on the jackets and shirts are similar to the TPS, but with a white back ground the blue wording "Parking Enforcement".
are worn in cold weather.
and Toronto EMS
.
Prior to the Metro Police, the Toronto Police Department officers wore a generic Scully badge on their caps, a common shield used by Canadian police forces in the 19th and early 20th Century. This featured a metallic maple leaf with a beaver and crown.
Other fleet numbering patterns include:
TPS formerly used Smith & Wesson
prior to switching over to the Glock.
Weapons used by the ETF include:
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, 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....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is the largest municipal police service in Canada and second largest police force in Canada after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP). At a budget of almost $1 billion it ranks second only to the Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
(TTC) in city budgetary expense.
1834 creation to 1859 reforms
The Toronto Police is one of the English-speaking world’s oldest modern municipal police departments; older than, for example, the legendary New York City Police Department
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
which was formed in 1845 or the Boston Police Department
Boston Police Department
The Boston Police Department , created in 1838, holds the primary responsibility for law enforcement and investigation within the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the oldest police departments in the United States...
which was established in 1839. The London Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
of 1829 is generally recognized as the first modern municipal department. In 1835, Toronto retained five fulltime constables—a ratio of about one officer for every 1,850 citizens. Their daily pay was set at 5 shillings for day duty and 7 shillings, 6 pence, for night duty. In 1837 the constables’ annual pay was fixed at £75 per annum, a lucrative city position when compared to the mayor’s annual pay of £250 at the time.
From 1834 to 1859, the Toronto Police was a corrupt and notoriously political force with its constables loyal to the local aldermen who personally appointed police officers in their own wards for the duration of their incumbency. Toronto constables on numerous occasions suppressed opposition candidate meetings and took sides during bitter sectarian violence between Orange Order
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
and Irish Catholic radical factions in the city. A provincial government report in 1841 described the Toronto Police as "formidable engines of oppression". Although constables were issued uniforms in 1837, one contemporary recalled that the Toronto Police was "without uniformity, except in one respect—they were uniformly slovenly." After an excessive outbreak of street violence involving Toronto Police misconduct, including an episode where constables brawled with Toronto's firemen in one incident, and stood by doing nothing in another incident while enraged firemen burned down a visiting circus when its clowns jumped a lineup at a local brothel, the entire Toronto Police force, along with its chief, were fired in 1859.
1859 to 1900
The new force was removed from Toronto City Council jurisdiction (except for the setting of the annual budget and manpower levels) and placed under the control of a provincially mandated Board of Police Commissioners. Under its new Chief, William Stratton Prince, a former infantry captain, standardized training, hiring practices and new strict rules of discipline and professional conduct were introduced. Today's Toronto Police Service directly traces its ethos, constitutional lineage and Police Commission regulatory structure to the 1859 reforms.Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
threats of 1860 to 1870. The Toronto Police were probably Canada's first security intelligence agency when they established a network of spies and informants throughout Canada West in 1864 to combat US Army recruiting agents attempting to induce British Army soldiers stationed in Canada to desert to serve in the Union Army in the Civil War. The Toronto Police operatives later turned to spying on the activities of the Fenians and filed reports to the Chief from as far as Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago and New York City. When in December 1864, the Canada West secret frontier police was established under Stipendiary Magistrate Gilbert McMicken, some of the Toronto Police agents were reassigned to this new agency.
In 1863, the Toronto Police were also used as "Indian fighters" during the Manitoulin Island Incident when some fifty natives armed with knives forced the fishery inspector William Gibbard and a fishery operation to withdraw from unceded tribal lands on Lake Huron. Thirteen armed Toronto police officers, along with constables from Barrie, were dispatched to Manitoulin Island to assist the government in retaking the fishery operation, but were forced back when the natives advanced now armed with rifles. The police withdrew but were later reinforced and eventually arrested the entire band but not before William Gibbard was killed by unknown parties. (Sidney L. Harring White Man's Law: Native People in Nineteenth-Century Canadian Jurisprudence Toronto: Osgood Society-University of Toronto Press, 1998. pp. 152–153)
In the 1870s, as the Fenian threat began to gradually wane and the Victorian moral reform movement gained momentum, Toronto police primarily functioned in the role of "urban missionaries" whose function it was to regulate unruly and immoral behaviour among the "lower classes". They were almost entirely focused on arresting drunks, prostitutes, disorderlies, and violators of Toronto’s ultra-strict Sunday "blue law
Blue law
A blue law is a type of law, typically found in the United States and, formerly, in Canada, designed to enforce religious standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest, and a restriction on Sunday shopping...
"
In the days before public social services, the force functioned as a social services mega-agency. Prior the creation of the Toronto Humane Society in 1887 and the Children’s Aid Society in 1891, the police oversaw animal and child welfare, including the enforcement of child support payments. They operated the city's ambulance service and acted as the Board of Health. Police stations at the time were designed with space for the housing of homeless, as no other public agency in Toronto dealt with this problem. Shortly before the Great Depression, in 1925, the Toronto Police housed 16,500 homeless people that year.
The Toronto Police regulated street-level business: cab drivers, street vendors, corner grocers, tradesmen, rag men, junk dealers, laundry operators. Under public order provisions, the Toronto Police was responsible for the licensing and regulation of dance halls, pool halls, theatres, and later movie houses. It was responsible for censoring the content of not only theatrical performances and movies, but of all literature in the city ranging from books and magazines to posters and advertising.
The Toronto Police also suppressed labour movement
Labour movement
The term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
s which were perceived as anarchist
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
threats. The establishment of the mounted unit is directly related to the four-month Toronto streetcar strike of 1886, when authorities called on the Governor General's Horse Guard Regiment to assist in suppressing the strike.
20th century
Pinkerton National Detective Agency
The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, usually shortened to the Pinkertons, is a private U.S. security guard and detective agency established by Allan Pinkerton in 1850. Pinkerton became famous when he claimed to have foiled a plot to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln, who later hired...
until the 20th century when it developed its own internal investigation and intelligence capacity.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the Toronto Police under Chief Dennis "Deny" Draper
Dennis Draper
Brigadier-General Dennis Colborne Draper was the Chief Constable of the Toronto Police Department from 1928 to 1946.-Early life:Draper was born and raised in Sutton in the Brome region of Quebec...
, a retired Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
and former Conservative candidate, returned to its function as an agency to suppress political dissent. Its notorious "Red Squad
Red squad
In the United States, Red Squads were police intelligence units that specialized in infiltrating, conducting counter-measures and gathering intelligence on political and social groups during the twentieth century. Dating as far back as the Haymarket Riot in 1886, Red Squads became common in larger...
" brutally dispersed demonstrations by labour unions and by unemployed and homeless people during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Suspicious of "foreigners", the police lobbied the city of Toronto to pass legislation banning public speeches in languages other than English, curtailing union organization among Toronto's vast immigrant populations working in sweat shops.
After several scandals, including a call by Chief Draper to have reporters "shot" and his being arrested driving drunk, the city appointed in 1948 a new Police Chief from its own ranks for the first time in the department's history: John Chisholm
John Chisholm (police chief)
John C. Chisholm was the first Chief Constable of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force until he committed suicide.Chisholm's father was a lay preacher in Dundee City Prison when John was growing up, giving him an interest in criminology.He served in World War I with the artillery in Mesopotamia ...
, a very able senior police inspector. In 1955, the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Police Commissioners was formed in preparation for the amalgamation of the 13 police forces in the municipality Metropolitan Toronto into a unified police force with Chisholm as chief of the unified force. Unfortunately Chisholm was not up to the politics of the Chief's office, especially in facing off with Fred "Big Daddy" Gardiner who engineered almost single-handedly the formation of Metropolitan Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
in the 1950s. As the Toronto City Police absorbed the surrounding police departments and grew in size and complexity, Chisholm found himself unable to manage the huge agency and its Byzantine politics. In 1958, after a number of conflicts with Gardiner and members of the newly expanded Metropolitan Toronto Board of Police Commissioners
Toronto Police Services Board
The Toronto Police Services Board is the civilian oversight of the Toronto Police Service. It was called the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services Board from 1990 until 1998 and the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission from 1955 until 1990 when the name of the body was changed as a result of...
, Chief Chisholm drove to High Park on the city's west end, parked his car and committed suicide with his service revolver. The late Staff Superintendent Jack Webster
Jack Webster (Toronto police officer)
Jack Webster , nicknamed Copper Jack, was a leading police officer, administrator and police historian in Toronto, Canada.Webster was born in Toronto to an immigrant family from Scotland...
, one of the officers who arrived at the scene of the Chief's death and who would upon his retirement in the 1990s become the Force Historian at the Toronto Police Museum, would later write, "Suicide is a constant partner in every police car."
With the creation of Metro Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
in 1954, the Toronto Police was eventually merged on January 1, 1957, with the other municipal forces to form the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force:
| Former Police Force | Current Community | Field | Division(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarborough Police Department | Scarborough Scarborough, Ontario Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River... |
Area | 41, 42, 43 |
| Etobicoke Police Department | Etobicoke | Area | 22, 23 |
| North York Police Department | North York | Area; parts of Central | 31, 32, 33; parts of 12, 13, 53 |
| East York Police Department | East York East York East York can refer to:*East York, Pennsylvania, United States*East York, Ontario, Canada... |
Central | 54 |
| Mimico Police Department | Etobicoke (Mimico Mimico The historic Town of Mimico is a neighbourhood in the south-western part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the south-east corner of the former Township of Etobicoke, and was an independent municipality from 1911 to 1967.... ) |
Area | 22 |
| Weston Police Department | York York, Ontario York is a dissolved municipality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River. Formerly a separate city, it was one of six municipalities that amalgamated in 1998 to form... (Weston, Ontario) |
Area and Central | 12, 31 |
| Forest Hill Police Department | Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... (Forest Hill, Ontario) |
Central | 53 |
| Town of Leaside Police Department | East York East York East York can refer to:*East York, Pennsylvania, United States*East York, Ontario, Canada... (Leaside, Ontario) |
Central | 53, 54 |
| York Township Police Department | York York, Ontario York is a dissolved municipality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River. Formerly a separate city, it was one of six municipalities that amalgamated in 1998 to form... |
Central | 13 |
| New Toronto Police Department | Etobicoke (New Toronto, Ontario) | Area | 22 |
| Swansea Police Department | Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... (Swansea, Ontario) |
Central | 11 |
| Long Branch Police Department | Etobicoke (Long Branch, Ontario) | Area | 22 |
In November 1995, the agency was renamed the Metropolitan Toronto Police Service which in turn, in 1998, became the Toronto Police Service after the amalgamation of the former municipalities of metropolitan Toronto.
21st century
Toronto EMS
Toronto Emergency Medical Services is the statutory Emergency medical services provider for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The service is operated directly as a branch of the municipal government as an independent, third-service option provider, which means that the service is funded by...
(TEMS) and Toronto Fire Services
Toronto Fire Services
The Toronto Fire Services is part of the Emergency Services that respond to 911 calls in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The Toronto Fire Services is responsible for responding to fires, rescue and assisting with medical situations within the City of Toronto...
(TFS)) and other police forces in the GTA including:
- York Regional PoliceYork Regional PoliceYork Regional Police is a law enforcement organization that serves over 1.1 million residents in the York Region, Ontario, Canada, located north of Toronto...
- Peel Regional PolicePeel Regional PolicePeel Regional Police provides police services for Peel Region in Ontario, Canada. It is the second largest municipal police service in Ontario after the Toronto Police Service and third largest municipal force in Canada with 1,900 uniformed members and close to 800 support staff.Peel Region...
- Halton Regional Police
- Durham Regional Police Service
- Ontario Provincial PoliceOntario Provincial PoliceThe Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
- Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
For most of 2005, the police union
Toronto Police Association
The Toronto Police Association , founded in 1944, is a labour organization representing the approximately 5,500 uniformed and 2,500 civilian members of the Toronto Police Service in Toronto, Canada...
and the Toronto Police Services Board
Toronto Police Services Board
The Toronto Police Services Board is the civilian oversight of the Toronto Police Service. It was called the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services Board from 1990 until 1998 and the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission from 1955 until 1990 when the name of the body was changed as a result of...
(the civilian governing body) were involved in lengthy contract negotiations. The rank and file had been without a contract since the end of 2004, and conducted a work-to-rule
Work-to-rule
Work-to-rule is an industrial action in which employees do no more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract, and follow safety or other regulations to the letter in order to cause a slowdown rather than to serve their purpose. This is considered less disruptive than a strike or...
campaign in the fall of 2005. The police force is an essential public service and are legally prohibited from striking
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
.
Controversies and allegations of misconduct
In 1988, Toronto Police were under scrutiny for the fatal shooting of a schizophrenicSchizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, Lester Donaldson. The shooting was the first of eight over the next four years, in which mostly unarmed Black people
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
were victims. Three days after his death, the Black Action Defence Committee
Black Action Defence Committee
The Black Action Defence Committee is a Canadian activist group founded by Dudley Laws, Charles Roach, Sherona Hall and Lennox Farrell with Laws as the group's chair. It was founded in 1988 in response to the killing of Lester Donaldson, which was the latest in a series of police shootings of Black...
, a group of local activists, was formed. The group made headlines when they introduced the issue of race in the coroner's inquest into Donaldson's killing. In 1990, Toronto police officer David Deviney was charged with manslaughter in connection with the killing, though he was later acquitted.
On May 4, 1992, tension between Toronto Police and the city's Black community reached its peak. After the fourth police killing of a young Black man, in as many years, a peaceful protest on Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
later turned into a riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
. 30 people were arrested and 37 police officers were injured in the riot.
A mandatory Coroner's Inquest took place into the police killing of 17-year-old Jeffrey Reodica. Although accounts differ, it is generally accepted that Reodica was part of a group of Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
teenagers pursuing a group of white teenagers on May 21, 2004, following altercations between the two groups. Plainclothes Toronto police officer Det.-Const. Dan Belanger and his partner Det. Allen Love were in the process of arresting Reodica when he was shot by the officers, the teen died in hospital three days later. Belanger and his partner, Det. Allen Love, were eventually cleared by the Special Investigations Unit
Special Investigations Unit
The Special Investigations Unit of Ontario, Canada, is a civilian agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. However all full-time SIU investigators are former law enforcement...
(SIU) who accepted their story that Reodica lunged at them with a knife.
In response to the recommendations of the Coroner's Inquest jury, Chief Blair recommended that all plainclothes police officers be issued arm bands and raid jackets bearing the word 'Police' in an effort to increase their visibility in critical situations. Unmarked cars, which are already equipped with a plug-in police light, will also be supplied with additional emergency equipment, including a siren package. The proposals will be phased in over three years beginning in 2008. Undercover officers will also have to wear, carry or have access to standard police use-of-force options such as pepper spray and batons.
In 2004, eight people were shot by Toronto Police, and six of them died from their wounds. The SIU investigated each shooting, but found all of them to be justified.
In 2005, the police force was faced with a spike in shootings across Toronto and increased concern among residents. Police Chief William Blair and Mayor David Miller asked for additional resources and asked for diligence from residents to contend with this issue. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr., MPP is a Canadian lawyer, politician and, since October 23, 2003, the 24th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario....
promised to work with Toronto to fight crime.
In July 2007, Toronto Police were involved in an international incident in which their members pepper-spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
ed, taser
Taser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
ed, and handcuffed members of the Chilean national soccer team in an attempt to keep control of crowds after their semi-final match in the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. A police spokesman explained on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
on the programme Here and Now that police took action against individual members of the Chilean team when they "displayed aggressive behaviour" by vandalizing a bus and arguing with fans. The actions of the police were criticised by the TV and print media in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, and initially also in Canada, but following a news conference and more detailed description of behaviour by the Chilean team the criticism (outside of Chile) was withdrawn. FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
later apologized to the Toronto mayor for the incident, and instigated disciplinary action against the officials and players of the Chilean team.
Funding
As a division of the municipal government of Toronto, the Toronto Police Service's annual funding level is established by a vote of the Toronto City CouncilToronto City Council
The Toronto City Council is the governing body of the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors....
in favour of the year's proposed budget. Provided below are historical gross and net funding levels of the TPS as a part of the city's operating budgets.
| Toronto Police Service funding as per municipal operating budgets | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Gross Amount | % of Year's Gross Budget | Net Amount | % of Year's Net Budget | ||
| 1999 Budget of the municipal government of Toronto, 1999 The budget of the municipal government of Toronto, 1999 was approved in that year by the Toronto City Council. The following are gross and net figures in Canadian dollars from the operating budget . A figure in brackets denotes a surplus instead of a loss. All revenue figures have been provided... |
$540,978,000 | 9.7% | $522,900,000 | 20.3% | ||
| 2004 Budget of the municipal government of Toronto, 2004 The budget of the municipal government of Toronto, 2004 was approved in that year by the Toronto City Council. The following are gross and net figures in Canadian dollars from the operating budget . A figure in brackets denotes a surplus instead of a loss. All figures have been rounded to units... |
$707,573,000 | 10.6% | $679,112,000 | 23.3% | ||
| 2010 2010 Toronto municipal operating budget Toronto's operating municipal budget for 2010 was approved by the Toronto City Council on April 15, 2010. The budget maintained city services, and increased the property tax by "1.8% on total tax base".- Revenues :* Property Taxes - C$ 3.5 billion... |
$956,218,000 | 13.8% | $919,112,000 | 26.7% | ||
As of 2011, a tentaive agreement will make Toronto police the country’s highest-paid officers by increasing wages over 11 per cent over the next four years.
Chiefs of Police
The chief of policeChief 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...
is the highest-ranking officer of the Toronto Police Service (until the 1960s the position was known as chief constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
). Most chiefs have been chosen amongst the ranks of Toronto force and promoted/appointed from the ranks of deputy chief; Fantino was hired away from the York Regional Police
York Regional Police
York Regional Police is a law enforcement organization that serves over 1.1 million residents in the York Region, Ontario, Canada, located north of Toronto...
, but he had been a career office with Metro Toronto Police.
Toronto Police Department
- William Higgins 1834
- George Kingsmill 1835
- James Stitt 1836
- George Kingsmill 1837–1846
- George Allen 1847–1852
- Samuel Sherwood 1852–1858
- William Stratton Prince 1859–1873
- Frank C. DraperFrancis Collier DraperFrancis Collier Draper was Police Chief of Toronto beginning 16 January 1874.-Family and education:...
1874–1886 - H.J. Grasett 1886–1920
- Samuel J. Dickson 1920–1928
- Dennis DraperDennis DraperBrigadier-General Dennis Colborne Draper was the Chief Constable of the Toronto Police Department from 1928 to 1946.-Early life:Draper was born and raised in Sutton in the Brome region of Quebec...
1928–1946 - John ChisholmJohn Chisholm (police chief)John C. Chisholm was the first Chief Constable of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force until he committed suicide.Chisholm's father was a lay preacher in Dundee City Prison when John was growing up, giving him an interest in criminology.He served in World War I with the artillery in Mesopotamia ...
1946–1956
Metro Toronto Police (up to 1995), Metro Toronto Police Service (up to 1998) and Toronto Police Service (1998 onwards)
- John ChisholmJohn Chisholm (police chief)John C. Chisholm was the first Chief Constable of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force until he committed suicide.Chisholm's father was a lay preacher in Dundee City Prison when John was growing up, giving him an interest in criminology.He served in World War I with the artillery in Mesopotamia ...
1957–1958 (died 1958 from suicide) - James Page MackeyJames Page MackeyJames Page Mackey was chief of the Metropolitan Toronto Police from 1958 to 1970 and the longest-serving Toronto police chief since the creation of the amalgamated police force in 1957....
1958–1970 (died 2009) - Harold AdamsonHarold 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....
1970–1980 (died 2001) - Jack W. AckroydJack AckroydJack 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...
1980–1984 (died 1992) - Jack MarksJack Marks (police officer)Jack Marks was a Canadian police officer.Marks was born in Toronto and became a Toronto police officer in 1951 after military service and a career as an electrician. Marks was working a night shift on December 31, 1956, when police forces across the city united to become one...
1984–1989 (died 2007) - William J. McCormackWilliam J. McCormackWilliam J. McCormack was Chief of Police of the Metro Toronto Police from 1989 to 1995. He succeeded Jack Marks.McCormack was born in Mauritius...
1989–1995 - David BoothbyDavid BoothbyChief David John Boothby, is the last Chief of police of the Metro Toronto Police 1995-1997. Chief Boothby has the unique distinction of being the first Chief chosen of the newly crested Toronto Police Service....
1995–2000 - Julian FantinoJulian FantinoJulian Fantino is a retired police official and the elected Member of the Parliament of Canada for the riding of Vaughan following a November 29, 2010 by-election...
2000–2005 - Mike Boyd 2005 (interim)
- Bill BlairBill Blair (police chief)William Sterling "Bill" Blair, is the police chief of Toronto, Ontario. He was selected in a 4–2 vote of the Toronto Police Services Board in early April 2005, and formally appointed Chief of the Toronto Police Service on April 26, 2005. He succeeded Mike Boyd, who had served as interim chief...
2005–present
Special Investigations Unit
The actions of the Toronto Police are examined by the Special Investigations UnitSpecial Investigations Unit
The Special Investigations Unit of Ontario, Canada, is a civilian agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. However all full-time SIU investigators are former law enforcement...
, a civilian agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. The SIU is dedicated to maintaining one law, ensuring equal justice before the law among both the police and the public. They assure that the criminal law is applied appropriately to police conduct, as determined through independent investigations, increasing public confidence in the police services. Complaints involving police conduct that do not result in a serious injury or death must be referred to the appropriate police service or to another oversight agency, such as the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.
Operations
College Street (Toronto)
College Street is a principal arterial thoroughfare in downtown Toronto, connecting former streetcar suburbs in the west with the city centre. The street is home to an ethnically diverse population in the western residential reaches, and institutions like the Ontario Legislature and the University...
near Bay Street
Bay Street
Bay Street, originally known as Bear Street, is a major thoroughfare in Downtown Toronto. It is the centre of Toronto's Financial District and is often used by metonymy to refer to Canada's financial industry since succeeding Montreal's St. James Street in that role in the 1970s...
in the downtown area. The former HQ at Jarvis Street was turned into a museum (and since re-located to current HQ). The current site was once home to the Toronto YMCA. The current sign in over the main entrance still reads "Metropolitan Toronto Police Headquarters" and still has the seal of Metropolitan Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
, and since 2007 has the current Toronto Police Service crest.
The Toronto Police Service is divided into two field areas and 17 divisions (police stations or precinct
Precinct
A precinct is a space enclosed by the walls or other boundaries of a particular place or building, or by an arbitrary and imaginary line drawn around it. The term has several different uses...
s):
Organizational structure
- Chief of Police
- Deputy Chief of Police
- Staff Superintendent
- Superintendent or Staff Inspector (Div. Unit Commander)
- Inspector (Divisional Unit 2ICSecond-in-commandThe Second-in-Command is the deputy commander of any British Army or Royal Marines unit, from battalion or regiment downwards. He or she is thus the equivalent of an Executive Officer in the United States Army...
)- Staff Sergeant (Platoon Manager)
- Sergeant (Supervisor)
- Constable
- Sergeant (Supervisor)
- Staff Sergeant (Platoon Manager)
- Inspector (Divisional Unit 2IC
- Superintendent or Staff Inspector (Div. Unit Commander)
- Staff Superintendent
- Deputy Chief of Police
Central Field Command
Encompasses the former cities of York, East York.- 11 Division, 2054 Davenport Rd.
- 12 Division, 200 Trethewey Dr.
- 13 Division, 1435 Eglinton Av. W
- 14 Division, 150 Harrison St. (14 Sub-Station is located at Exhibition PlaceExhibition PlaceExhibition Place is a mixed-use district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, by the shoreline of Lake Ontario, just west of downtown. The 197–acre area includes expo, trade, and banquet centres, theatre and music buildings, monuments, parkland, sports facilities, and a number of civic, provincial,...
) - 51 Division, 51 Parliament St.
- 52 Division, 255 Dundas St. W.
- 53 Division, 75 Eglinton Av. W.
- 54 Division, 41 Cranfield Rd.
- 55 Division, 101 Coxwell Avenue.
Area Field Command
Encompasses the former cities of North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke .- 22 Division, 3699 Bloor St. W (22 Substation at 799 Islington Avenue)
- 23 Division, 5230 Finch Ave. West
- 31 Division, 40 Norfinch Dr.
- 32 Division, 30 Ellerslie Av.
- 33 Division, 50 Upjohn Rd.
- 41 Division, 2222 Eglinton Av. E.
- 42 Division, 242 Milner Av. E.
- 43 Division 4331 Lawrence Ave. E near Morningside Avenue
Note: Public Safety Unit is located at 4610 Finch Avenue East next to the former Charles O. Bick Police College
Support units in the Toronto Police Service consists of:
Specialized Operations Command
- Forensic Investigation Service, 2050 Jane St.
- Homicide Squad, 40 College St.
- Provincial ROPE Squad, 40 College St.
- Drug Squad, 40 College St. replaced Toronto Police Service's Central Field Command Drug Squad from the 1990s
- Organized Crime Enforcement , 40 College St.
- Fraud Squad, 40 College St.
- Hold-Up Squad, 40 College St.
- Intelligence Services, 40 College.
- Sex Crimes Unit, 40 College St.
- Integrated Guns and Gangs Task Force (Replaced the Asian Crime Unit, Hate Crimes Unit), Don Mills
- Toronto Anti-Violence Initiative Strategy (TAVIS), 5230 Finch Ave West.
Operational Services
- Communications Services, 703 Don Mills Rd.
- 911 Operations Centre, 703 Don Mills Rd.
- Court Services, 40 College St.
- Prisoner Transportation Unit, 9 Hanna Avenue.
- Emergency Task Force, 300 Lesmill Rd.
- Marine, 259 Queen's Quay W.
- Mounted and Police Dog Services, 44 Beechwood Drive (1989)—Mounted Drill Unit
- 25 horses with 45 officers
- 21 officers with 17 general dogs, 4 drug dogs and 1 explosives detector dog
- Parking Enforcement East, 1500 Don Mills Rd.
- Parking Enforcement West, 970 Lawrence Ave West
- Public Safety and Emergency Management, 4610 Finch Avenue East
- Traffic Services, 9 Hanna Avenue.
- Transit Unit, 9 Hanna Avenue.
Community Mobilization Unit
- Auxiliary (Auxiliary ConstableAuxiliary ConstableAuxiliary Constables or Reserve Constables are unpaid citizens who volunteer their time and skills to a police force. They are uniformed, unarmed members who performs a similar role to their UK counterpart in the Special Constabulary...
), Volunteer and Rover Program - Youth Programs
- Empowered Student Partnership
- Toronto Recreational Outreach Program (TROOP)
- Public Education and Crime Eradication (PEACE) project
Policing on most 400-series highways (like King's Highways 401, 400, 427, 404) are in the jurisdiction of the Ontario Provincial Police
Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
. Toronto Police Traffic Services is responsible for patrolling on local highways (Allen Road, Don Valley Parkway, F.G. Gardiner Expressway and the Toronto section of Highway 409).
Workforce
The Toronto Police Service has approximately 5,710 uniformed officers and 2,500 civilian employees.Its officers are among the best paid in Canada. In October 2008, the Toronto Police Service was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers
Greater Toronto's Top Employers
Greater Toronto's Top Employers is an annual competition that recognizes the best places to work in the Greater Toronto Area...
by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by 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...
newspaper.
Ranks
The rank insignia of the Toronto Police Service is similar to that used by police services elsewhere in Canada and in the United Kingdom, except that the usual "pips" are replaced by maple leaves.Commanding officers
Besides the Chief of Police, the other command officers are the Deputy Chiefs. They head the command units.- Divisional Policing Command: Peter Sloly
- Corporate Command: Michael Federico
- Specialized Operations Command: Jeff McGuire (acting)
The Chief Administrative Officer is a civilian post, held by Tony Veneziano.
Police senior officers
The day-to-day and regional operations are commanded by senior officers:- Staff SuperintendentSuperintendent (police)Superintendent , often shortened to "super", is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries the full version is superintendent of police...
- SuperintendentSuperintendent (police)Superintendent , often shortened to "super", is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries the full version is superintendent of police...
- Staff InspectorInspectorInspector is both a police rank and an administrative position, both used in a number of contexts. However, it is not an equivalent rank in each police force.- Australia :...
- InspectorInspectorInspector is both a police rank and an administrative position, both used in a number of contexts. However, it is not an equivalent rank in each police force.- Australia :...
Investigative non-commissioned officers
Investigations are divided into crimes against persons and crimes against property. These investigations are conducted by:- Detective Sergeant (equivalent rank to Staff Sergeant)
- DetectiveDetectiveA detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
(equivalent rank to Sergeant) - Detective Constable
Police officers
- Staff SergeantStaff SergeantStaff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
- SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
- ConstableConstableA constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
—first class, second class, third class, fourth class
Sworn members
- Special ConstableSpecial constableA Special Constable is a law enforcement officer who is not a regular member of a police force. Some like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carry the same law enforcement powers as regular members, but are employed in specific roles, such as explosive disposal technicians, court security, campus...
—Court Officers, Prisoner Transportation officers, Document Servers, Custodial Officers
Ranks
- Locational Administrator
- Shift Supervisor
- Supervisor
- Officer
Unsworn members
- Cadet in Training
- Toronto Police Service Rover Crew (Restricted to Police Foundation students at Humber CollegeHumber CollegeHumber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning is a polytechnic college in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Humber offers more than 150 programs including: bachelor’s degree, diploma, certificate, post-graduate certificate and apprenticeship programs, across 40 fields of study. Humber serves...
Lakeshore Campus) - Parking Enforcement Officer
- Station Duty Officers
- Communicator Operators
Training
New and current officers of the Toronto Police Service train at the Toronto Police College on Birmingham east of Islington. The initial training is two weeks, followed by 12 weeks at the Ontario Police CollegeOntario Police College
The Ontario Police College is located in Malahide Township, just east of Aylmer, in Elgin County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.-Programs:...
in Aylmer, Ontario
Aylmer, Ontario
Aylmer is a town in Elgin County in southern Ontario, Canada, just north of Lake Erie, on Catfish Creek. It is 20 km south of Highway 401...
and then six weeks of final training at Toronto Police College. Charles O. Bick College
Charles O. Bick College
Charles O. Bick College was a police college operated by the Training and Education unit of the Toronto Police Service to train various levels of police from new recruits to senior managers. The facility is accredited by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to design and...
was closed in July 2009.
Uniform
Eisenhower jacket
The Eisenhower jacket, or "Ike" jacket, is a type of military uniform blouson, or shortened coat, terminating in a waistband.-Overview:...
style, single breasted front closing, two patch type breast pockets, shoulder straps, gold buttons, or yellow windbreaker style with the word POLICE in reflective silver and black at the back (generally worn by the bicycle and traffic services units). All ranks shall wear dark navy blue clip on ties when wearing long-sleeve uniforms.
Auxiliary officers (shown to the right) wear light blue shirts (long sleeve for winter and short for summer), with the badging of auxiliary on the bottom of the crest. Originally front line officer also wore light blue shirts but changed to the current navy blue shirts in the Fall of 2000.
Hats can be styled after baseball cap
Baseball cap
A baseball cap is a type of soft cap with a rounded stiff brim. The front of the cap typically contains designs or logos of sports teams ,...
s, combination caps,or fur trim Yukon (similar to the Ushanka
Ushanka
An ushanka , also known as a trooper, is a Russian fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or tied at the chin to protect the ears, jaw and lower chin from the cold. The thick dense fur also offers some protection against blunt impacts to the head...
) hats for winter. Motorcycle units have white helmets. Black or reflective yellow gloves are also provided to officers with Traffic Services. Front line officers usually wear combination caps since that is the location of their badge. Prior to the 1990s, female officers wore bowler caps instead of combination caps. Auxiliary officers wear combination caps with a checkered red and black band. The Mounted Unit wear black Canadian military fur wedge cap
Canadian military fur wedge cap
The Canadian military fur wedge cap, "envelope busby", or Astrakhan busby is a uniform hat worn by the Canadian military and RCMP. The outside of the cap is entirely covered in real or synthetic fur and is shaped like a wedge. When not being worn the cap folds flat...
during the winter months and Custodian helmet
Custodian helmet
Custodian helmet or centurion helmet, technically known as a 'Home Office pattern helmet', is a helmet worn by many policemen in England and Wales.-History:...
for ceremonial use.
As is the case with all Ontario Law Enforcement Officers, uniformed officers wear name tags. They are in the style of "A. Example" where the first letter of the first name is written and the last name next to it. Name tags are usually stitched on with white stitching on a black background, but they also have pin-styled with black lettering on a gold plate.
Senior officers wear white shirts and a black Eisenhower style jacket.
Emergency Task Force
The Emergency Task Force (ETF) is the tactical unit of the Toronto Police Service. It is mandated to deal with high-risk situations like gun calls, hostage taking, barricaded persons, emotionally disturbed persons, high risk arrests and warrant service, and protection details. The unit was created in 1965. An earlier non-SWAT Riot and Emergency Squad emerged in 1961. Part of its role is now undertaken by the ETF, Public Safety and Emergency Management and the Mounted Unit.Marine unit
TPS is one of several police forces along Lake OntarioLake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
with a marine unit.
TPS has a fleet of 15 boats based along marine unit stations in south Etobicoke (Humber Bay West Park), Toronto Harbour and Scarborough (Bluffer's Park):
TPS Marine unit works in conjunction with:
- Canadian ForcesCanadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
Search and Rescue unit at CFB TrentonCFB TrentonCanadian Forces Base Trenton , is a Canadian Forces base located northeast of Trenton, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad... - Peel Regional PolicePeel Regional PolicePeel Regional Police provides police services for Peel Region in Ontario, Canada. It is the second largest municipal police service in Ontario after the Toronto Police Service and third largest municipal force in Canada with 1,900 uniformed members and close to 800 support staff.Peel Region...
Marine Unit - Durham Regional PoliceDurham Regional PoliceThe Durham Regional Police Service is the police service operated by and serving the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario, Canada. The force serves the following local municipalities, with a combined population of 589,850:* Pickering, Ontario...
Marine Unit - Niagara Regional Police ServiceNiagara Regional Police ServiceThe Niagara Regional Police Service provides policing services for the Regional Municipality of Niagara in the Canadian province of Ontario....
Marine Unit - Halton Regional Police Marine Unit
- Hamilton Police Service (Ontario)Hamilton Police Service (Ontario)The Hamilton Police Service, formerly The Hamilton Wentworth Regional Police, is the local police service for the City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This agency is the primary service charged with the duty of enforcing the Criminal Code of Canada in the City of Hamilton. The organization became a...
Marine Unit
Mounted unit
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
(CNE). The unit has been based at Casa Loma
Casa Loma
Casa Loma is a Gothic Revival style house in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is now a museum and landmark. It was originally a residence for financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt. Casa Loma was constructed over a three-year period from 1911–1914. The architect of the mansion was E. J...
, Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is a zoo located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It opened August 15, 1974 as the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo and is owned by the City of Toronto; the word "Metropolitan" was dropped from its name when the cities of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto were amalgamated to form the...
, Sunnybrook Stables and at various division in Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
, and North York, 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....
. The unit has a strength of 27 horses and 40 officers.
Police horses Honest Ed and Spencer were invited to the swearing in of United States President Barack Obama
Inauguration of Barack Obama
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The inauguration, which set a record attendance for any event held in Washington, D.C., marked the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joe...
by Michigan’s Multi- Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard.
Horses
- Honest Ed (2004); named for Ed MirvishEd MirvishEdwin “Honest Ed” Mirvish, OC, CBE was a Canadian businessman, philanthropist and theatrical impresario who lived in Toronto, Ontario...
- Samson
- Lady
- General
- Harry
- Keith
- Dragoon; named after the type of cavalryman DragoonDragoonThe word dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel...
- Spencer
- Winston
- Royal
- Dundas; named after Dundas StreetDundas Street (Toronto)Dundas Street, also known as Highway 5 west of Toronto, is a major arterial road connecting the centre of that city with its western suburbs and southwestern Ontario beyond...
- Lincoln; named after former Lieutenant Governor of OntarioLieutenant Governor of OntarioThe Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is the viceregal representative in Ontario of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
Lincoln AlexanderLincoln Alexander-External links:* * *...
,
(Retired to Durham horse farm, September, 2011)
- Boot ; named after former chief David BoothbyDavid BoothbyChief David John Boothby, is the last Chief of police of the Metro Toronto Police 1995-1997. Chief Boothby has the unique distinction of being the first Chief chosen of the newly crested Toronto Police Service....
- Simcoe; named after John Graves SimcoeJohn Graves SimcoeJohn Graves Simcoe was a British army officer and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791–1796. Then frontier, this was modern-day southern Ontario and the watersheds of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior...
- Blue Moon
- Sabre
- Elvis; named for Mount Unit officer killed on duty
- Dorothy
- Thor
- Stuart
- Champ
- Viscount
- Toby
- Duke
- Champ
- Trooper
- Charger
- Juno Beach
- Major
- Justice
Horses killed while on duty:
- Brigadier (born 1998 near Listowel, Ontario): 2006—motor vehicle collision
- Lancer: 2002—motor vehicle collision
Police dog services
The Toronto Police K-9 unit was created in 1989 and is deployed to search for suspects, missing persons and other duties. The service has 17 general purpose dogs. Nero and Rony are dogs attached to this unit. There are 4 drug enforcement dogs and 1 explosives detector dog. The 21 officers and dogs are assigned to this unit and based at 44 Beechwood Drive in Toronto East YorkCourt Services
In the early 1980s, the Toronto Police Service initiated the hiring of civilian personnel to fill the position of Court Officer. Court Officers are primarily responsible for the safety and security of the public within Toronto's court locations, as well as the transportation, security, and safety of over 400 prisoners attending court each day. Prior to 1980, this function was performed by uniformed Police Officers under the supervision of a Police Sergeant at each court location. In 1980, the first class of twenty civilian employees were appointed by the Police Services Board to replace the uniformed Police Officers at the court locations. These Court Officers were sworn in as Special Constables, pursuant to the provisions of the Police Services Act, which conferred onto them the powers of Police Officers for the performance of their duties.As the city’s policing needs expanded, so did the continued civilianization of Court Services. In 1984, the first civilian supervisors were trained to replace the Police Sergeants. These supervisors reported to a Detective Sergeant who was responsible for managing all the TPS personnel assigned to a particular court location.
In the mid 1980s, the Summons Bureau became a part of Court Services and the Civilian Summons Servers and support staff took on an expanded role under the newly created Document Services Section. The title Summons Server was changed to Document Server to reflect the expanded responsibilities. Document Servers are responsible for serving summonses, subpoenas and other court documents on individuals required to attend Toronto courts.
Court Services later took on the responsibility of overseeing the Matrons, now referred to as Custodial Officers, which is a small but dedicated group of employees tasked with managing female prisoners at a central location.
By 1990, Court Officers had taken over the responsibility of transporting prisoners in specialized wagons between the court locations, divisions and correctional facilities; a task previously performed only by uniformed Police Officers. This centralized service became known as the Prisoner Transportation Section. By 1995 Court Services promoted its first civilian to the position of Location Administrator, replacing the Detective Sergeants who were formerly in charge of the court locations. Today all sections within Court Services are managed by civilian Location Administrators. These Location Administrators report to one of two Staff Inspectors, who in turn report to the Superintendent of Court Services.
The role of the Special Constable within Court Services has developed significantly beyond its original mandate. As new laws were introduced by Parliament, and the City’s law enforcement needs became increasingly complex, Court Services evolved to assist the TPS in meeting those demands.
Court Services now employs over 700 of the Service’s 2500 civilian employees. It comprises several subunits including Prisoner Transportation, Document Services, the Training Section, and the Computer Assisted Scheduling of Courts (CASC). The role of the Special Constables within these subunits includes the service of legal documents; the execution of warrants; the collection DNA samples from convicted offenders; assisting the TPS Public Order Unit in maintaining order during public demonstrations; and being involved in all aspects of the Court Officer hiring and training process. In addition, members of Court Service are often utilized by the TPS for other specialized community outreach initiatives, such as the TPS Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit; the TPS United Way fund raising initiative; and the Toronto Drug Treatment Court.
The growth in size of the Court Services Unit necessitated the creation of several specialized functions. A centralized Risk Management Section was created, tasked with the responsibility of investigating any complaints and disciplinary issues involving Court Services personnel. It is staffed by a team of detectives, under the supervision of a Detective Sergeant. The position of Crown Police Liaison Officer was also created allowing for a Detective Sergeant at each criminal court location who is dedicated to assisting the Crown’s Office with the processing of court cases.
As the City’s demand for additional court rooms increases, so does the responsibility of Court Services. There are currently 16 court locations across Toronto, with a total of 257 court rooms. In 2008, approximately 106,000 in-custody accused appeared in these court rooms. Also in that year, the Prisoner Transportation Section transported approximately 186,000 prisoners between police divisions and to and from detention centres. This required a professional staff of clerks, Police Officers and Special Constables, all working collaboratively in an impressive demonstration of excellence through people and partnerships.
Toronto parking enforcement
Parking enforcement on all roads and public property are the responsibility of Toronto Police.Uniforms
TPE officers are provincial offenses officers able to issue parking tickets under part II of the Ontario Provincial Offenses Act. They do not carry any use of force items and are unarmed, but are issued Kevlar vests for safety. They are peace officers pursuant to section 15 of the Police Services Act of Ontario for the purpose of enforcing Municipal By-Laws.Their uniform consists of a blue shirt, black cargo pants with blue stripe, a black vest and a cap with blue stripe. Boots are similar to front line TPS officers. In winter months TPE officers have a blue jacket with reflective trim. Patches on the jackets and shirts are similar to the TPS, but with a white back ground the blue wording "Parking Enforcement".
Fleet
Their vehicles have the same paint scheme as the older TPS squad cars, but they are labeled with Parking Enforcement and fleet numbers PKE(East) or PKW (West).Toronto school crossing guards
Adult crossing guards at various intersections and crosswalks are employed and paid by the TPS. They are under charge by various Division across the city.Uniforms
Besides wearing the reflective vest (yellow and orange), crossing guards are supplied with a police issue jacket. The jackets have a patch similar to the TPS, but it has a white background and identification as school crossing guards. A winter hat similar to the UshankaUshanka
An ushanka , also known as a trooper, is a Russian fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or tied at the chin to protect the ears, jaw and lower chin from the cold. The thick dense fur also offers some protection against blunt impacts to the head...
are worn in cold weather.
Toronto Police Service (TPS) Lifeguard Service
93 life guards are responsible for patrolling 11 beaches and 44 kilometres of shoreline. The life guards are on duty during the summer months and are assisted by the TPS (including the Marine Unit), Toronto Fire ServicesToronto Fire Services
The Toronto Fire Services is part of the Emergency Services that respond to 911 calls in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The Toronto Fire Services is responsible for responding to fires, rescue and assisting with medical situations within the City of Toronto...
and Toronto EMS
Toronto EMS
Toronto Emergency Medical Services is the statutory Emergency medical services provider for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The service is operated directly as a branch of the municipal government as an independent, third-service option provider, which means that the service is funded by...
.
Logo
The components of the TPS logo is similar to the old Metro Toronto Police logo less the name change:- winged wheels of industry on the top part of the shield representing transportation
- crown commemorating the coronation year of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953
- two books represent education or knowledge
- A caduceus—herald's staff, associated with Mercury, protector of commerce
- chevron for housing
- Sheaf with York Rose on the sides of the crest
- beaver represents industry and/or Canada—from the old and new Coat of arms of TorontoCoat of arms of TorontoThe coat of arms of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was designed by Robert Watt, the Chief Herald of Canada, for the city after its amalgamation in 1998.They are blazoned as, Or, a pale and a chief Azure...
- ribbon containing the words Toronto Police
Prior to the Metro Police, the Toronto Police Department officers wore a generic Scully badge on their caps, a common shield used by Canadian police forces in the 19th and early 20th Century. This featured a metallic maple leaf with a beaver and crown.
Fleet
Police cars, also known as police cruisers are the standard equipment used by Toronto Police officers for transportation. The vehicles are numbered in regards to their division and car number. For example, 3322 represents that the vehicle is from 33 Division, and the following 22 is the vehicle designation number.Other fleet numbering patterns include:
- Area Field Command Unit – AFCXX
- Bail Compliance Unit—BCUXX
- Bike Patrol Unit—XXX
- Central Field Command—CFCXX
- Chief of Police—CHIEF
- Command Vehicles—COMDXX
- Court Services—CRTXX
- Courier—RMSXX
- Emergency Task Force—ETFXX
- Forensic Identification Services—FISXX
- Information Technology Services—ITSXX
- Marine Unit—MUXX
- Mounted Unit Services—MTDXX
- Parking Enforcement—PKEXX (East)/PKWXX (West)
- Police Dog Services—PDSXX
- Public Safety Unit—PSUXX
- School Resource Officer—SROXX
- (Marine) Service Vehicle—SRVX
- Spare Vehicles—7XX
- Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS)—TAVXX
- Toronto Police Tow Trucks—8XX
- Traffic Services/Transit Patrol Unit—6XXX / 66XX
- Video Services Unit—VSUXX
Motor vehicles
| Make/Model | Type | Status | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... Camaro Chevrolet Camaro The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. It went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang... |
Highway Unit | retired | |
| Chevrolet Caprice Chevrolet Caprice The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-sized automobile produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors in North America for the 1965 through 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold. It was the most popular American car in the sixties and early seventies.... |
General police vehicle | retired | |
| Chevrolet Cavalier Chevrolet Cavalier The Chevrolet Cavalier was a compact automobile produced from 1982 to 2005 by General Motors. Built on the company's J platform, the Cavalier was one of the best-selling cars in the United States throughout its life.- Predecessors :... |
Parking Enforcement, Document Services Section | ||
| Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Impala The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United... |
General police vehicle | retired | |
| Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu Malibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the... (2001–2005) |
Community Sweeper Unit car | ||
| Chevrolet Malibu (2006) | Parking Enforcement Unit | ||
| Dodge Neon Dodge Neon The Plymouth/Dodge Neon, sold in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and elsewhere outside the United States as the Chrysler Neon, is a compact front wheel drive car introduced in January 1994 for the 1995 model year by Chrysler Corporation's Dodge and Plymouth brands... |
Parking Enforcement, Document Services Section | ||
| Smart fortwo Smart Fortwo The Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater city car manufactured by Smart GmbH, introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as the Smart City Coupé, and currently in its second generation... |
Parking Enforcement car | ||
| Ford Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... Crown Victoria Ford Crown Victoria -1992–1994:Released in March 1991 as an early 1992 model, the Crown Victoria sedan was completely redesigned with a rounder, eight-window roofline . The redesign reduced the coefficient of drag from 0.42 to 0.34; the suspension setup was also heavily revised... |
(marked) General police vehicle, Traffic Services, Community Sweeper Unit | ||
| Ford Crown Victoria (black/blue stripe, grey/grey stripe) | Stealth Police Cruiser. | ||
| Ford Focus | Parking Enforcement car | ||
| Ford Taurus Ford Taurus The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American... |
(Highway Patrol) | retired | |
| Plymouth Plymouth (automobile) Plymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, produced by the Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:... Caravelle Plymouth Caravelle The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid-size sedan that was originally a 1983 Canadian model. The Caravelle came to the United States in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E-Class. It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600. It was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim in 1989... |
General police vehicle | retired | |
| Volkswagen Volkswagen Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is... New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle -Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:... |
Safety Bug car | ||
| Honda Honda is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than... Civic Honda Civic The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded... /Civic Hybrid |
Parking Enforcement car | ||
| BMW BMW motorcycles BMW's motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company commenced manufacturing engines for other companies. Motorcycle manufacturing now operates under the BMW Motorrad brand... K1 (K75RT) |
motorcycle | ||
| Harley Davidson FLHTP Harley-Davidson FL FL is a model designation used on motorcycles manufactured by Harley-Davidson from 1941 to present. Mostly applied to Harley's large-framed bikes, including the current Touring series, the FL designation is also used with their Softail series, especially on Softails with traditional styling,... |
motorcycle |
Watercraft
| Unit # | Make | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Unit 1 | Hyke Industry Hike Metal Products Hike Metail Products is a Wheatley, Ontario based manufacturer of small to mid sized boats used for firefighting, lifeboats, research vessels, law enforcement and other rescue and patrol operations. The company also performs ship refitting and metal fabricating.... |
Dive Platform & Command Vessel marine boat with Volvo Penta Volvo Penta Volvo Penta was founded in 1907 in conjunction with the production of the first marine engine, B1. The Penta company soon became an established internal combustion engine manufacturer, which in 1927 delivered the engine to Volvo's first passenger car.... Turbo Chargd 350 hp engines |
| Marine Unit 3 | Tyler Nelson design built by Bristol Marine | Long Range Search and Rescue Vessel |
| Marine Unit 4 | Hyke Industry Hike Metal Products Hike Metail Products is a Wheatley, Ontario based manufacturer of small to mid sized boats used for firefighting, lifeboats, research vessels, law enforcement and other rescue and patrol operations. The company also performs ship refitting and metal fabricating.... |
patrol boat |
| Marine Unit 5 | Taylor | wooden motor boat—patrol boat |
| Marine Unit 7 | Hyke Industry Hike Metal Products Hike Metail Products is a Wheatley, Ontario based manufacturer of small to mid sized boats used for firefighting, lifeboats, research vessels, law enforcement and other rescue and patrol operations. The company also performs ship refitting and metal fabricating.... |
patrol boat |
| SRV1 | service vessel | |
| Marine Unit 21–23 | Zodiac Hurricane | 30 feet (9.1 m) Zodiac Zodiac Group Zodiac, which became Zodiac Aerospace in 2007, is a French corporation, specialized in the production and development of on-board systems, safety systems and cabin interiors... Rigid-hulled inflatable boat Rigid-hulled inflatable boat A rigid-hulled inflatable boat, or rigid-inflatable boat is a light-weight but high-performance and high-capacity boat constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale. The design is stable and seaworthy... (RIBs) with twin 300 hp four-stroke motors |
| Marine Unit 12 | fan boat | |
| Marine Unit 8 | Zodiac | 28 feet (8.5 m) Zodiac with a Covered Wheelhouse, Twin Turbo-Disel Jet Drive Engines |
| 1 "HUSKY" | airboat | used for operating over ice |
| MU00 | Seadoo GTX-4 | personal watercraft |
Support vehicles
| Make/Model | Type | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... Express Chevrolet Express The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana are full-size vans from General Motors. They replaced the Chevrolet Van and GMC Vandura in 1996. The Express and Savana currently hold 44.8% of the full-size van market in the United States, just behind rival Ford's E-Series... |
van—Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Collision Reconstruction | |
| GMC GMC (General Motors division) GMC is a manufacturer of trucks, vans, military vehicles, and SUVs marketed in North America and the Middle East by General Motors Company. In January 2007, GMC was GM's second-largest-selling North American vehicle division after Chevrolet, ahead of Pontiac.... Savanna |
vans—Radio Services and Court Services | |
| GMC GMC (General Motors division) GMC is a manufacturer of trucks, vans, military vehicles, and SUVs marketed in North America and the Middle East by General Motors Company. In January 2007, GMC was GM's second-largest-selling North American vehicle division after Chevrolet, ahead of Pontiac.... C series light truck |
ETF | |
| Chevrolet Suburban Chevrolet Suburban Chevrolet offered a station wagon body, built on the 1/2 ton truck frame. This model was specifically built for National Guard units and Civilian Conservation Corps units. Much of the body was constructed from wood, and could seat up to eight occupants.... |
SUV—ETF, Marine Unit, Police Dog Service, Public Safety Unit, Radio Services | |
| Ford Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... F350 |
pickup truck with horses trailer—Mounted Unit | |
| Armet Armoured Vehicles Incorporated/Ford Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... Trooper—using F-550 chassis |
tactical vehicle—ETF | / |
| Ford Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... Van |
Explosive Disposal Unit, Forensic Identification Service | |
| Ford F-series or GMC Vandura trucks | Prisoner Transportation Services Court Wagons | |
| Freightliner Trucks Freightliner Trucks Freightliner Trucks is an American manufacturer of heavy duty trucks, chassis and semi-trailer trucks in the United States. The company was founded as Freightliner Inc in 1942 and is now a division of Daimler Trucks North America, a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG... FL mobile |
mobile command unit | |
| Ford F-series truck chassis | tow truck | |
| Ford Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... Van |
van RIDE | |
| GMC Safari Chevrolet Astro The Chevrolet Astro was a rear-wheel drive mid-sized van introduced by Chevrolet in 1985 to rival domestic competitors the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager twins and the Japanese Toyota Van. Also sharing the Astro's platform was its sibling, the GMC Safari... |
SUV Parking Enforcement | |
| Jeep Jeep Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second... Cherokee Jeep Cherokee (XJ) The Jeep Cherokee is a unibody compact SUV. It shared the name of the original full-size SJ model, but without a body-on-frame chassis, it set the stage for the modern SUV. Its innovative appearance and sales popularity spawned important imitators as other automakers began to notice that this... |
SUV | |
| Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over... Remotec Andros MK V1A and Andros F6B |
bomb unit robots | |
| General Motors Diesel Division General Motors Diesel Division General Motors Diesel Division was a unit of General Motors and was a manufacturer of locomotives, transit buses and military products.The locomotive unit was acquired by private investors, the transit bus divisions were purchased by TMC in the U.S. and MCI in Canada, and the GM Defense unit was... T6H −5307 series |
Metro Police Auxiliary AUX1 and AUX 2 bus—ex-Toronto Transit Commission Toronto Transit Commission -Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:... 7960 |
|
| Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... MCI 102A |
2 recruitment buses | |
| Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... MCI-9 |
bus | |
| Orion Bus Industries Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... Orion I |
bus | |
| – | Community Relations trailer—community donated |
Bicycles
| Make/Model | Type | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Norco Bicycles Cross Country | mountain bike | |
| Aquila Scandium | mountain bike—Community Action Policing |
Sidearms and weapons
- Glock 22: Large frame .40 with hollow point bullets 200 grain —Regular uniformed officers
- Glock 27: Compact frame .40—Detectives
- Glock 17: Large frame 9 mm—Emergency Task Force (TPS)
- Glock 19: Compact frame 9 mm—Emergency Task Force (TPS)
- Pepper sprayPepper sprayPepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
(OC spray): Regular uniformed officers
TPS formerly used Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is the largest manufacturer of handguns in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistols and revolvers have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world...
prior to switching over to the Glock.
Weapons used by the ETF include:
- MP5A3Heckler & Koch MP5The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
9 mm submachine gun - Remington 700Remington 700The Model 700 series of firearms are bolt-action rifles manufactured by Remington Arms since 1962. All are based on the same centerfire bolt action. They often come with a 3, 4 or 5-round internal magazine depending on caliber, some of which have a floor-plate for quick-unloading, and some of which...
bolt-action sniper rifle - Remington 870Remington 870The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...
shotgun (Can be issued to Regular Uniformed Officers) - Mossberg M500Mossberg 500Mossberg 500 is a series of shotguns manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons. The 500 series comprises widely varying models of hammerless, pump action repeaters, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in bore size, barrel length, choke options, magazine capacity, and...
shotgun (Can be issued to Regular Uniformed Officers) - Diemaco C8 carbine rifle (Can be issued to Regular Uniformed Officers)
- Taser International M18 taserTaserA Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
- Taser International X26 taserTaserA Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
- Pepper sprayPepper sprayPepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
(OC Spray) - Tear gas (CS Gas)
- Rubber bulletsRubber Bullets"Rubber Bullets" is a song by 10cc from their debut self-titled album.Written and sung by Kevin Godley, Lol Creme and Graham Gouldman and produced by 10cc, "Rubber Bullets" was the band's first number one single in the United Kingdom, spending a single week at the top in June 1973. It fared worse...
or bean bags rounds - ARWEN 37ARWEN 37The ARWEN 37 is a non-lethal launcher which fires 37 mm non-lethal rounds designed for riot control. It has a 5-round rotary drum magazine. "ARWEN" is an acronym for "Anti Riot Weapon ENfield"....
37 mm riot gun (and AR-1 plastic baton rounds, may also be available to crowd/riot control officers) - Long Range Acoustic DeviceLong range acoustic deviceThe Long Range Acoustic Device is a distance hailing device and non-lethal crowd control weapon developed by LRAD Corporation to send messages, warnings, and harmful, pain inducing tones over longer distances than normal loudspeakers....
: Three (one for Marine Unit, two for Public Safety Unit)
Emergency services
TPS is part of Toronto's Emergency Services and works along side with:- Toronto Fire ServicesToronto Fire ServicesThe Toronto Fire Services is part of the Emergency Services that respond to 911 calls in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The Toronto Fire Services is responsible for responding to fires, rescue and assisting with medical situations within the City of Toronto...
- Toronto EMSToronto EMSToronto Emergency Medical Services is the statutory Emergency medical services provider for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The service is operated directly as a branch of the municipal government as an independent, third-service option provider, which means that the service is funded by...
- Heavy Urban Search and Rescue
See also
- Integrated Security UnitIntegrated Security UnitIntegrated Security Unit is a joint-services infrastructure security unit created to secure major events in Canada. This administrative and operational entity was first created by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2003....
- Auxiliary ConstableAuxiliary ConstableAuxiliary Constables or Reserve Constables are unpaid citizens who volunteer their time and skills to a police force. They are uniformed, unarmed members who performs a similar role to their UK counterpart in the Special Constabulary...
- Emergency Task ForceEmergency Task ForceThe Emergency Task Force ' is the tactical unit of the Toronto Police Service . It is mandated to deal with high risk situations like hostage taking, emotionally disturbed persons, high risk arrests, warrant service and protection details. The unit was created in 1965, and inspired the television...
- History of crime in Toronto
- TTC Special Constable ServicesTTC Special Constable ServicesThe TTC Special Constable Services was the safety and security division of the Toronto Transit Commission in Toronto, Canada from June 1, 1997 until February 1, 2011...