A HALTON Regional Police Black Heritage Cruiser has taken to the streets to curb crime. Police photo.
This must be a first for former MP Jean Augustine in her many years of public service.
A quote from the former long-time Etobicoke Lakeshore Liberal Member of Parliament is on a cop car.
A Black Heritage Police cruiser, probably the first of its kind in Canada, was unveiled on August 26 by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Black Internal Support Network and community partners at the region’s police headquarters.
The cruiser design was conceived by the Queen of Heaven Catholic Elementary School’s Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism and Equity (iDARE) Committee as part of a design contest held last February.
“This design concept seeks to lay a foundation for healing and a path forward for the Black Halton community and the HRPS working together with a common understanding and a common purpose,” says Bonnie Wiltshire, Chair of the iDARE Committee.
The cruiser features a quote from Augustine that resonated with the design team for its overarching message about the celebration of Black history.
The quote reads, “Black History is not just for Black People. Black History is Canadian History.”
“I am so proud to participate in the unveiling of the HRPS Black Heritage Cruiser where the message is around who we are as a community,” says Dr. Augustine, the first African-Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament, who paved the way for Black History Month in Canada.
“From police services, to community groups and educators, this work around diversity and inclusion is an important message for people to see. Black history is Canadian history and we all need to recognize that.”
Const. David Joseph, of the HRPS Black Internal Support Network, said “we are proud to stand behind all that this cruiser design symbolizes and communicates to our community.”
“This project is just one of the many ways the HRPS is working to build relationships with all members of the communities we serve by keeping the door open to meaningful and constructive dialogue,” he said.
Augustine has been active in the community and is involved in the Jean Augustine Young Women’s Empowerment charity, on Portland St., in Mimico.