Well, this is progress.
The Toronto Police Service is about to become more representative than ever; the most recent batch of newly graduated police constables is almost half made up of women.
According to officials, 48 per cent of the graduating class is female, marking the highest-ever percentage for a new cohort of Toronto police officers. Furthermore, more than one third (or 34 per cent) of the officers identify as visible minorities.
The police service has come along way toward earning equal representation in recent years: in 2012, 30 per cent of officers were female, and 21 per cent were members of a visible minority group.
In its effort to increase the amount of women and visible minority groups, the police service has noted the disparity between the diverse demographic composition of Toronto and the relative homogeneity of its police service in comparison.
According to police, 31 of the graduates speak another language in addition to English, and a third of those speak two or more other languages in addition to English – a definite bonus in patrolling the city’s streets.
In terms of other assets, more than 90 per cent of the recent graduates have completed post-secondary education and 41 per cent have previous policing or military experience.
The 44 fresh new recruits will be sworn in as fourth class constables at a ceremony today at noon at the Toronto Police College in south Etobicoke.
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