Police Serious About Cultural Diversity

Toronto Police Joining Caribana Parade this year

The Toronto Police Service is taking part in the competitive section of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly known as Caribana) along the Lakeshore Boulevard August 3. According to Sergeant Rod Chung, one of the persons involved with the undertaking said, this is a push forward to show that the service is not just involved for the cosmetic look. The police personnel involvement is a demonstration of its commitment to foundation and proof of its determination to be an integral part of the carnival.

Dr. Alok Mukherjee, Chair of the Police Services Board noted that the Caribbean Carnival Toronto is a celebration of the vibrancy, richness and colourfulness of the kaleidoscopic culture that characterizes the city and the country today. “The powerful spirit of this festival can be felt throughout this city, in all of our neighbourhoods,” he added.

At Police Headquarters downtown Toronto Chief William Blair, Board Chair Alok Mukherjee and other senior officers launched the service’s involvement in the festival now being presented as Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival. It was truly a Caribbean affair complete with masqueraders, music and culinary offerings, for all present, not only for the VIP’s as the Festival management Committee have become famous for doing. Earl La Pierre, one of the country’s outstanding steelpan soloists provided exciting music for the assembly of masqueraders at the event. It was his third year participating in the event which he likes very 

                                              Pannist Earl La Pierre Jr. lively up Headquarters

                                              Sergeant Rod Chung at Thursday's Launch

                                            Toronto Police Brass appreciate good mas

                                                  police masquerade at Headquarters

much. “I endorse it because without them there would be no Caribana because we need that and as they say ‘protect and serve’ and it looks like they are having more fun than we are at times. As he endorsed the police participation in the festival, La Pierre noted that they “bring us into their quarters now and a lot of us get to come down and see their main headquarters. So it’s nice to come in and sit down and see Chief William Blair sitting down and talking to us alongside Fitzroy Gordon and Jamal Magloire, it’s a nice experience. I am glad to be a part of it.”

Members of the Caribbean Consular Corps were among those who assembled for the special occasion during the lunchtime Thursday afternoon. Contributors to the occasion included performers, students of Seneca College, the Ontario School of Design, the Carpenters’ Union, Proctor Cartage, members of the service’s Diversity Management Unit, Divisional Policing Support Unit and 33 Division as well as members of the Auxiliary unit.

Sergeant Chung said this is a huge opportunity for the service as it reiterates some of the work being done by the service behind the scene. It shows that the police service is part of the community and it is very important to show “not only that you are a part of the community but to be a part of the community. We talk about the caterpillar and the butterfly this year. A lot of people don’t know what we do behind the scenes. It’s like the work of the caterpillar but a day like this for celebration. We’ve been working on this for months and months. So just like everybody else who is getting ready for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival kick off, we are part of it too. It’s very important to show everyone we are still part of this community. “It’s a day for people to really understand that we are not just here for that cosmetic look. We are here for the long haul,” says Sergeant Chung.

After some 16 years involved in Caribana celebration Sergeant Chung said the service is about to put its mark on the scene to show that it is here. Instead of presenting Youth in Policing on a non-competitive truck, the police presence will be in Jamal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers as one of the sections. Chung contends that move is huge. “Most of the time we are taking part and having fun. People would never see us. By the time they get there, we have left but this year we are going to be front stage and I am looking forward to it,” Sergeant Chung added.

Dr. Mukherjee acknowledged the new publication produced for the occasion as very informative reflecting the hard work that went into the launch. The service’s involvement in this year’s festival is going beyond recognizing diversity but building on it. Asked whether he will be in costume for the parade Dr. Mukherjee laughed and promised maybe, as it is always fun. “I imagine we have the talent to do that (be part of the Toronto Revellers band). The police service involvement in the Carnival festival is a positive thing and it is important because it showcases the many police officers and others who work here who come from these cultural backgrounds. It’s not just the public image. It’s also the message that is sent inside to the organizations about our valuing the importance we attach to cultural diversity and that’s a strength. And we mean that and we have the talent, the richness and cultural knowledge inside the organization. So in terms of changing the organization, this is an important event,” Dr. Mukherjee added.