David J. Boothby - Chief of Police

Over the past forty years, the men and women of the Metropolitan Toronto Police have earned a reputation for innovation and reliability based on a long-held tradition of public service. Conceived by the amalgamation of 13 municipal police forces on January 1, 1957, the evolution of our police service and the lessons learned along the way have prepared us well for the challenges of the new City of Toronto in 1998.

In the pages that follow, we reflect on our four decades of progressive growth with glances back to those simpler days of the 1950's, rapid expansion in the 1960's and 1970's and the advent of information technology in the 1980's. The 1990's prompted new approaches to police science which have taken advantage of modern systems and networks whil reinforcing improved community partnerships for more effective methods of crime prevention.

During the past year, our police officers continued to work with citizens, business leaders and government to reduce crime with a special emphasis on robberies and thefts from motor vehicles. These efforts have enhanced communication within our neighbourhoods thereby promoting cooperation and community pride through participation.

In September, the Metropolitan Toronto Police established a home page on the World Wide Web to improve public access to the services we provide. I am confident our members will continue to pursue new methods for reaching out to our citizens in ways that ultimately improve the safety and security of everyone.

As the era of the Metropolitan Toronto Police draws to a close, I am proud of our accomplishments but, more importantly, I am confident that we have established a foundation upon which to build new programs which will meet the needs of a new city in a new century.

To those members who served so faithfully in 1997, the final year of the Metropolitan Toronto Police, I say thank you. The future is yours.