Staff Sgt. Larry McLarty was the first Black officer on the Toronto Police Service and Det. Alton C. Parker (right and on cover) was the first Black detective in Canada, working for Windsor Police. Dept.
Two late great policemen who influenced generations of Black cops in Canada are being remembered for their trailblazing work in February for Black History Month.
Ret. Staff Sergeant Larry McLarty had a long and outstanding career as the first Black cop on the Toronto Police Service and Alton C. Parker rose to become Canada’s first Black detective.
McLarty, aka Larry, a former member of the Jamaican Constabulary Force, worked when he first arrived in Canada as a railway porter, catalogue book packer, night cleaner and in a hospital kitchen before getting a break to return to the work he loved.
When McLarty applied to Toronto Police, he was disappointed to learn he was one-eighth of an inch too short. Then two months later, while being measured for a new suit, he discovered he met the height requirement after all.
He eagerly reapplied to the force and was hired in 1960 making him the first Black officer in Toronto.
The young officer and his family were living in Etobicoke at the time and would live here for many years before moving to Oshawa.
In his 32 years of service, he rose from walking the beat on streets as Bloor and College Sts., to being an initial member of Toronto’s emergency task force. He retired as a Detective Sergeant in 1992.
“He was very proud about being the first black police officer in Toronto,” his son, Michael, said in an interview. “On a personal level, it was an achievement. But on another level, it represented a secure job with steady income, that he could provide for his family.”
Michael said his father faced some discrimination inside and outside of the office as he moved forward in his career.
Also being honoured is Alton C. Parker, who in 1951, became the first Black to hold a rank of Detective in Canada.
Parker was born in Windsor in 1907 and joined the Windsor Police Dept. in 1942 as a mechanic.
He became the force’s first Black Constable and had to face some backlash in the community due his colour.
His outstanding work and personality changed his fellow officer’s views on diversity in the work force. He enjoyed serving the community with dedication and pride, and in 1951 he was promoted to the rank of Detective, making him the first black Detective in Canada.
Parker was a recipient of many awards in recognition for his involvement with the community. In 1976 he received the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, in 1977 he was awarded the queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, and in 1986 he received the Harry Jerome Award for his commitment to youth. In 1988 Detective Alton Parker was named The Person of the Year by the North American Black Historical Museum.
He touched many lives. Detective Alton C. Parker passed away in 1989.