Police play mas

For the first time ever, the Toronto Police had a visible and competitive presence in the annual Caribbean Carnival parade.

The Service was part of Jamaal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers, which finished third in the large band category in the 46th annual parade showcasing the Caribbean’s contribution to Canada’s rich multicultural mosaic in a kaleidoscope of colour and glittering images.

“I have been attending the parade for over 20 years, but this was by far the best experience for me,” said Sgt. Rod Chung, who was on the float in his uniform.

“It was the first time I was on a float and to actually feel the vibes while being surrounded by thousands of people was an experience I will never forget. I had so much fun during the nearly 13 hours I spent being part of a fantastic parade.”

Joining Chung in uniform at the parade were Det. Gail Regan; Sgt. Chris Gordon, the DJ on the Service’s float, Diversity in Motion; and Deputy Chief Peter Sloly, who spent nearly five hours with the revellers.

“I have worked the festival for the last 15 years, but this was the first time I was part of a float and also in the staging area where I saw, first-hand, how much effort and detail go into getting people organized and ensuring the costumes fit right,” he said.

“They wear their culture and personal commitment to this festival on their chests.”

Sloly heaped praise on Magloire for the Service’s presence on the float that was attached to one of the top mas’ bands.

“That was a great visual and there was a lot of connection with Jamaal and his amazing contribution to the carnival itself and his willingness to have us almost lead his parade,” Sloly said.

“That was just great context as well as his personal effort to be available to the officers and meet the kids. Jamaal physically established himself with our presence and that gave us a lot of street and carnival credibility in the whole thing.”

Sherene Jattan of the Diversity Management Unit designed 51 costumes for the float.

“She has had a history of designing our float and the costumes,” Sloly said.

“Like all the other people who put their costumes together for their kids or themselves, she has that pride-of-ownership piece going. No matter how hot or noisy it got, she had a permanent smile on her face.”

This is the 22nd year the Service has fielded a float in the parade. The Breakfast Club, with Rick Gosling at the helm, has been the major investor in the float.

Several Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) participants joined Service members, including Donna Scantlebury of Psychological Services, on the parade route.

This is part of my culture and the one day when you could really get out and have fun,” said Toronto-born Scantlebury who also played mas’ in Barbados.

“I enjoy the camaraderie and it’s just a great experience.”

This was the first time that Gordon – a popular DJ –played on a float in uniform.

“It was not difficult for me to do that and play in front of thousands of people, because I have always said that music is one of the tools this organization could make much more use of as an outreach to get to our young people,” said Gordon, who is in his 22nd year with the Service.

“It’s an opportunity for them and the general public to see us in a different light and what better way to do that than in front of almost a million people on Carnival Saturday.”

More photos of this event are available on the Toronto Police Service Facebook page.

Source