Toronto Life Magazine - Letter to Editor
Friday, December 4, 2020SENT BY EMAILToronto Life MagazineEmail: letters@torontolife.comDear Editor,TORONTOPOLICEASSOCIATION200 – 2075 Kennedy RoadToronto, OntarioCanada, M1T 3V3Telephone(416) 491-4301Facsimile(416) 494-4948Brian CallananInterim PresidentScott SprattDirectorAdministrative ServicesPete GrandeDirectorMember BenefitsKevin CorriganDirectorCivilian Field ServicesHelena BriandDirectorCivilian Field ServicesJason TomlinsonDirectorUniform Field ServicesClayton CampbellDirectorUniform Field ServicesEach year, the Toronto Police Association (TPA) looks forward to Toronto Life magazine's release of the"Top 50 List". In 2018 former Police Chief Mark Saunders made the list, followed in 2019 by Toronto PoliceHomicide Unit Inspector Hank Idsinga. This year, it was a surprise and disappointment that not one TPAmember, whether it be a special constable, parking enforcement officer, communications operator, civilianstaff or a police officer, was recognized with other frontline workers in the No. 1 spot Frontline Workers.The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most challenging problems faced in policing. Our frontlinemembers do an overwhelmingly positive job responding to public safety issues and a litany of societalproblems in the best of times. During the pandemic, they face new responsibilities, including dealing withpeople who refuse to obey COVID-19 directives and enforcement of pandemic-related orders despiteintense public pressure and criticism. While their role is the same, they must now carry out their day-to-daypolicing duties while protecting themselves and the public from this highly infectious virus.Our members do amazing things in the community each day, and the pandemic has not halted communityoutreach efforts. Our members, officers and civilians alike, have found creative and innovative ways toengage with the community during the pandemic while practicing COVID-19 health protocols. In addition toChristmas toy drives, our members continue to work with community agencies to deliver meals, personalprotective equipment, and food and clothing to individuals and families in need.The TPA and our members are grateful to all frontline workers for their sacrifice and selfless commitmentduring the pandemic. In March 2020, the TPA made a $250,000 donation to the University Health Networkto show our appreciation. The donation directly supported healthcare workers on the front line and fundedCOVID-19 vaccine research and mental health programs. And in April 2020, our members participated in"A Night to Salute Hospitals Across the City," organized by the Toronto Police Service. Dozens of police,paramedics, firefighters and Toronto Transit vehicles paraded in front of hospitals on University Avenueand hospitals around the city to show our support for healthcare workers.We are a proud advocate for the policing profession, and we stand by our hard-working members - policeofficers, special constables, parking enforcement officers, communications operators and civilian staff - allwho chose a career dedicating their lives to helping others. Our members are committed to providingprofessional, courteous service as they work with the public and stakeholders to help build safercommunities. Their commitment and bravery have never been as evident as through their frontline policingduties during the pandemic. However, it is important for all frontline workers, including our members, toknow that they are appreciated and have the community's support during these most difficultcircumstances. As we near a full year of policing during a pandemic, letting our members know that theyare appreciated in their role as frontline workers makes the tough days, weeks, and months ahead of usmore manageable for our members and the community.Yours Sincerely,Jon ReidDirectorUniform Field ServicesTORONTO POLICE ASSOCIATIONBrian CallananInterim President
Friday, December 4, 2020
SENT BY EMAIL
Toronto Life Magazine
Email: letters@torontolife.com
Dear Editor,
TORONTO
POLICE
ASSOCIATION
200 – 2075 Kennedy Road
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M1T 3V3
Telephone
(416) 491-4301
Facsimile
(416) 494-4948
Brian Callanan
Interim President
Scott Spratt
Director
Administrative Services
Pete Grande
Director
Member Benefits
Kevin Corrigan
Director
Civilian Field Services
Helena Briand
Director
Civilian Field Services
Jason Tomlinson
Director
Uniform Field Services
Clayton Campbell
Director
Uniform Field Services
Each year, the Toronto Police Association (TPA) looks forward to Toronto Life magazine's release of the
"Top 50 List". In 2018 former Police Chief Mark Saunders made the list, followed in 2019 by Toronto Police
Homicide Unit Inspector Hank Idsinga. This year, it was a surprise and disappointment that not one TPA
member, whether it be a special constable, parking enforcement officer, communications operator, civilian
staff or a police officer, was recognized with other frontline workers in the No. 1 spot Frontline Workers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most challenging problems faced in policing. Our frontline
members do an overwhelmingly positive job responding to public safety issues and a litany of societal
problems in the best of times. During the pandemic, they face new responsibilities, including dealing with
people who refuse to obey COVID-19 directives and enforcement of pandemic-related orders despite
intense public pressure and criticism. While their role is the same, they must now carry out their day-to-day
policing duties while protecting themselves and the public from this highly infectious virus.
Our members do amazing things in the community each day, and the pandemic has not halted community
outreach efforts. Our members, officers and civilians alike, have found creative and innovative ways to
engage with the community during the pandemic while practicing COVID-19 health protocols. In addition to
Christmas toy drives, our members continue to work with community agencies to deliver meals, personal
protective equipment, and food and clothing to individuals and families in need.
The TPA and our members are grateful to all frontline workers for their sacrifice and selfless commitment
during the pandemic. In March 2020, the TPA made a $250,000 donation to the University Health Network
to show our appreciation. The donation directly supported healthcare workers on the front line and funded
COVID-19 vaccine research and mental health programs. And in April 2020, our members participated in
"A Night to Salute Hospitals Across the City," organized by the Toronto Police Service. Dozens of police,
paramedics, firefighters and Toronto Transit vehicles paraded in front of hospitals on University Avenue
and hospitals around the city to show our support for healthcare workers.
We are a proud advocate for the policing profession, and we stand by our hard-working members - police
officers, special constables, parking enforcement officers, communications operators and civilian staff - all
who chose a career dedicating their lives to helping others. Our members are committed to providing
professional, courteous service as they work with the public and stakeholders to help build safer
communities. Their commitment and bravery have never been as evident as through their frontline policing
duties during the pandemic. However, it is important for all frontline workers, including our members, to
know that they are appreciated and have the community's support during these most difficult
circumstances. As we near a full year of policing during a pandemic, letting our members know that they
are appreciated in their role as frontline workers makes the tough days, weeks, and months ahead of us
more manageable for our members and the community.
Yours Sincerely,
Jon Reid
Director
Uniform Field Services
TORONTO POLICE ASSOCIATION
Brian Callanan
Interim President
Change language