BACK IN THE DAY The Many Roads to Law and Order 29 Apr 201923 Nov 2019 There are many roads to Mecca, the ancient saying goes. And on occasion I had been known to take a few of those different roads. Seeking out and sustaining a…
BACK IN THE DAY Nothing bad happens on my beat 15 Apr 201930 Apr 2019 Today everyone has the right to die on the streets under the meanest of circumstances as a powerless police officer looks on. It was not always thus and recent extreme…
BACK IN THE DAY… Wearing our mistakes 4 Jul 201825 Jul 2018 Lessons learned about a suitable measure of safety It was a cool rainy Friday evening in September that I heard a 10-33 call to a bar at the rear of…
BACK IN THE DAY A back-up to remember 4 Jun 201812 Jun 2018 Police dispatchers of a certain era were coppers on the glide path to a gold watch or else they were already looking at one for their time checks. One…
BACK IN THE DAY Give me a dime for every innovative idea 25 Apr 20182 May 2018 Being the new breed of young cop in the early 70’s, I was well prepared to innovate at every opportunity. Innovation, however, is not necessarily the handmaiden of reality. Almost…
BACK IN THE DAY A tale of man and “machine” 18 Apr 20182 May 2018 I recall my number ONE Breathalyzer test. This is “the biggy” that every breath tech worries about because you can imagine what the defence lawyer could do when they found…
BACK IN THE DAY The difference between a good cop and just another cop 28 Mar 20184 Apr 2018 When I was taken off regular beat patrol and assigned a scout car I felt like I had been promoted. As was the practice then, I was partnered with a…
BACK IN THE DAY The Pristine Beauty of Traffic 19 Mar 201828 Mar 2018 When I was a Traffic training officer I was called into the bosses office. He was seriously concerned about a new officer. A "draftee," ordered to work in our unit.…
BACK IN THE DAY If the walls could talk 19 Jan 20182 May 2018 Drive south along Toronto’s Yonge Street and just north of Eglinton you might spot an old brown-stone building on the west side of the street which more recently has been…
BACK IN THE DAY Hilda was no ordinary store detective 22 May 201723 Jul 2017 Shoplifting calls were common when I was on patrol. Upon arrival wide-eyed store staff would direct me to a back room, telling me the store detective had a person in…
BACK IN THE DAY… Take back the streets… or go for a coffee 21 May 201723 Jul 2017 While patrolling a high crime neighbourhood I heard a report of an armed robbery at an all night gas bar. Several cars responded and called out a description of a…
BEHIND THE BLUE LINE 