November 1997

Serving and Protecting in a Diverse Society [page 1]

OPP Commissioneer Thomas O'Grady(L), Capt Nick Stetham RCMI President (C), Metro Toronto Police Services Chief David Boothby (R)

On Wednesday, October 8th, the RCMI had to be the most secure building in Toronto, and it was definitely not the night to try to nab a parking spot before 6:30pm on University Avenue. Why?, because it was the annual Police Application Night at the Institute, the evening was a sell-out to hear guest speaker Chief David Boothby of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services.

After the excellent meal, President, Captain Nicholas Stetham, who was chairing his first dinner since his appointment, introduced the ten chiefs and deputy chiefs of police who were in the audience and the head table. He followed this with a roll call, where members and guests from eleven different police forces stood to be recognised. To their relief, the several members of CSIS who in the audience went unrecognised.

In his speech, Chief Boothby provided a snapshot of the challenges of being a police officer in a diverse and multicultural Toronto. He paid tribute to his officers, outlined the roll of his force, highlighted some of their achievements, noted their current challenges, and listed future endeavours. Boothby pointed out the similarities between police and the military service. The most notable being the special powers and authority granted to enable both organisations too carry-out their mandated roll. At the same time both the police and the military are held accountable for their actions, they are routinely second guessed, or criticised for their actions. Both have a remarkable capacity to draw media attention.

S/Supt Clark Winter (Non-Resident Director) brought his daughter Const. Donna Winter who had recently joined the OPP

The Chief pointed out that being a police officer in Toronto is not without its dangers. His force has just under 5,000 officers and 1,700 civilian support staff. Last year there were 5,500 reported injuries to his officers and during the 40-year history of the force, 21 police officers have given their lives in the line of duty. Boothby said his officers respond to approximately 1.8 million calls a year and of those about 5,000 are in response to shootings, stabbings or persons with sharp edged weapons. The Chief also stated, "This is far more often than when I was on the street responding to calls." The Emergency Task Force responded to 389 calls last year, which averages to just over one call a day. The ETF is deployed in response to sightings of suspects with firearms, the sound of gun shots, persons barricaded with weapons in a building or hostage situations.

On a positive note, robberies in Toronto are down 22% this year. His force is taking part in 415 proactive initiatives across Metro such as the Community Response Unit, this group liases community groups identifies and addresses crime and safety concerns.

During the question period, Chief Boothby expressed a keen interest in acquiring a helicopter for his force. With a helicopter, a high-speed police chase and the resulting danger to the general public would become a thing of the past. The simple fact is you can not hide from a helicopter.

Police Appreciation was another sold-out evening attended by several Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs and LFCA's senior provost officer.

The Concert Goes Off with a Bang [page 3]

The eighth annual RCMI band concert was a resounding success. Only one musician had to be shot. A symbolic demonstration by an individual musician was thwarted by Captain Roland White, the Director of Music for the 48th Highlanders. With a single shot, he curtailed the performance of this errant percussionist, who attempted an unscheduled solo performance. After dispatching the musician, decorum was restored, and Capt White resumed conducting the band. A stretcher party removed the prostrate symbol player, but he recovered in time to make second and bandaged entrance at the end of "The Blunderer".

Once again the concert was produced by Mr. Murry Buckstein, Major Gino Falconi was the Principal Director of Music, and Mr. Henry Shannon was the Master of Ceremonies. Almost 200 musicians representing 12 reserve units from the Golden Horseshoe area, entertained a near capacity audience at Roy Thomson Hall for almost three hours. The massed band played over 48 music selections, including the National Anthems.

During the intermission, the audience viewed equipment displayed in the foyer of Thomson Hall. On the Simcoe Street trucks, a helicopter, a light armoured vehicle, a 25 pounder gun and naval SCUBA diving equipment positioned for viewing. The Toronto Signals Band serenaded the audience who were outside while inside The Corps of Drums of the Queen’s York Rangers performed.

In a tribute to the late Sergeant Major Charlie Martin, DCM, MM, of the Queen’s Own Rifles, who landed on D-Day on the beaches of Normandy, members of the QOR band played the march to the film "The Longest Day", as well as a Bugle Medley.

Henry Shannon paid tribute to two other remarkable people who have died very recently; Diana, the Princess of Wales and Mother Teresa. When he announced that the massed band would play "Amazing Grace" the appropriateness of this recognition literally took the audience’s breath away.

The finally of the concert was a rousing rendition of Elgar’s "Pomp and Circumstance" which brought the audience to it’s feet in a standing ovation.

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