Toronto's first balck police chief?

                His supporters, and there are lots of them, say that he is destined to become the Toronto police forces first chief of African American heritage. Although many oppose, Peter Sloly is a strong candidate to become the new police chief of the Toronto police force. This week with a mere 21 years in the police force will be assuming one of the four roles of deputy chief, which is only one rung below the chief Bill Blair. At 43 years old Peter is believed to be one of the youngest police officers in the country’s history to achieve such a high rank, and honor but also a burden for someone with 21 years of experience, which is considered a small amount of time in this industry. He has achieved the rank of someone who has been part of the force for 40 to 50 years. The chairman of the police board says that he does not usually condone such fast moves through the ranks, especially for someone as young as Sloly, but he believes in this case Sloly has been so successful he believes he will one day become chief. Sloly was slightly humorous about the matter but still retained the serious nature of the situation by saying ""Well, for one, I think I'm only a couple of years younger than the most powerful man in the free world," Sloly said recently of U.S. President Barack Obama, who is 48. "If you're required to be in a place for a certain amount of time, I guess I don't hit that benchmark. If it's about experiences, and adding value to help build the police service into the best it can be, then I think I hit that benchmark." Everyone in the force has high hopes for Sloly and he is expecting one day to become chief.




           I believe this amazing man is a step in the right direction for the both the police force and equality. When people think of a police officer, the automatic stereotype that comes to mind is a middle aged white man, not someone of African American heritage. To see someone of African American heritage be able to do so well, in a job that is usually controlled by the white population, is a positive look at equality in our future. It is also a step in the right direction for the police force. There have been prior thoughts that the police force in Toronto was slightly racist towards anyone other than the typical white male, and to see them start to make promotions not based on race, but their ability to do the job better in quite refreshing. We the people could not be expected to act without prejudice if the people who govern us and enforce rules are prejudice. That would be extremely hypocritical. I feel that this is a large step in the right direction for equality in Canada, and I hope the best for Peter.