Did you know that Toronto has the earliest professional police force in North America?

There were at least 26 political and religious riots in Toronto between 1839 and 1860. Toronto’s early constabulary were called out to quell these riots, but often picked sides and joined in. This presentation will explore how Toronto’s early police were inspired by the British model, and will also explore Toronto’s prison, reformatory and asylum system. The presentation usually concludes with the end of the death penalty in Canada – our nation’s final executions took place right here in Toronto.

If you like this presentation, you may enjoy the one on the Boyd Gang, or the one on True Crime in Toronto.