Toronto Police from the Past

While browsing the Toronto Archives, I often come across some great photographs of police officers from Toronto’s past. From accidents, to concerts, social events and crime scenes, these cops were on hand to serve and protect.

If you are interested in finding out more about the history of the Toronto Police, see our article and visit The Toronto Police Museum & Discovery Centre in downtown Toronto. It is a not-for-profit that is funded through guided tours, sales from their Gift-Shop, and from requests to do historical research.

CNE, Kids Day, mounted officer and foot constable with lost kids. - August 27, 1929CNE, Kids Day, mounted officer and foot constable with lost kids. – August 27, 1929

Policeman, corner of King and Yonge streets. - 1912Policeman, corner of King and Yonge streets. – 1912

Police motorcyle division. - [between 1926 and 1930] Chief Draper is at right. A researcher has identified the location as 69 Dundas Street West, east of Police Station 2, which was at #75-85, between Yonge and Bay streets.Police motorcyle division. – [between 1926 and 1930] Chief Draper is at right. A researcher has identified the location as 69 Dundas Street West, east of Police Station 2, which was at #75-85, between Yonge and Bay streets.

Police officer and (naked) boys on roadPolice officer and (naked) boys on road before 1940

Northeast corner of King Street and Yonge Street. - [ca. 1912]Police officer directing traffic at King Street and Yonge Street. – [ca. 1912]

Toronto Police Inspector Gilks. - [1908?]
Toronto Police Inspector Gilks. – [1908?]
Toronto Police Force, P. S. Kenneth Gibb, on motorcycle, front. - March 12, 1929
Toronto Police Force, P. S. Kenneth Gibb, on motorcycle, front. – March 12, 1929

Open air horse show, 5 police horses : Police Constable Cooper (198), [PC] Phillips, [PC] Lapper, [PC] Coathrup, [PC] Gallagher. July 1, 1930Open air horse show, 5 police horses : Police Constable Cooper (198), [PC] Phillips, [PC] Lapper, [PC] Coathrup, [PC] Gallagher. July 1, 1930

Toronto Police Department Headquarters, College Street formerly Toronto Technical School
Toronto Police Department Headquarters, College Street formerly Toronto Technical School after 1900
Toronto Police Band, Massey Hall. - February 2, 1923
Toronto Police Band, Massey Hall. – February 2, 1923

Kid's Safety Club, policeman and girls. - April 25, 1928Kid’s Safety Club, policeman and girls. – April 25, 1928

Three policeman
Three policeman between 1900 and 1920?
Queen Victoria Park, police parade, 8 men, (Commercial Department) Date: July 1927
Queen Victoria Park, police parade, 8 men, (Commercial Department) – July 1927
Policeman and recruit, Armouries. - [1914?]
Policeman and recruit, Armouries. – [1914?]
Police training, drilling. Date: January 22, 1931
Police training, drilling. Date: January 22, 1931

Electric car accident at Glen Road Bridge. - [1912?]Electric car accident at Glen Road Bridge. – [1912?]

Police Rifle Meet, No. 5 Division team. - March 25, 1930
Police Rifle Meet, No. 5 Division team. – March 25, 1930
Police parade, Chief Draper at salute. - October 20, 1929
Police parade, Chief Draper at salute. – October 20, 1929
Police Parade, Chief Dickson & Inspector Crosbie, mounted men. - May 15, 1927
Police Parade, Chief Dickson & Inspector Crosbie, mounted men. – May 15, 1927
Police go into the ring to protect referee Lou Marsh (left) at Patsy Wallace vs. Jimmy Wilde boxing match at CNE. - May 24, 1920
Police go into the ring to protect referee Lou Marsh (left) at Patsy Wallace vs. Jimmy Wilde boxing match at CNE. – May 24, 1920
Police Games - Horse Parade
Police Games – Horse Parade 1939
July 7, 1949 Police constables - John B. Brown #580 James Warden #785.jpg
July 7, 1949 Police constables – John B. Brown #580 James Warden #785.jpg
Police Constable Cooper (198), mounted, new uniform. - March 27, 1929
Police Constable Cooper (198), mounted, new uniform. – March 27, 1929
OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) cars in the snow 1960
OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) cars in the snow 1960
July 1, 1930 Open air horse show, Police Constable Cooper (198), Maggie, 1st prize police horse.
July 1, 1930 Open air horse show, Police Constable Cooper (198), Maggie, 1st prize police horse.
Old police station, East Toronto
Old police station, East Toronto – August 1, 1911
New East Toronto police station
New East Toronto police station – December 31, 1911
Motor League picnic to kids, patrol, Sergeant Dunn with boy. - June 24, 1929
Motor League picnic to kids, patrol, Sergeant Dunn with boy. – June 24, 1929
Inspector Charles Greenwood on motorcycle. - [ca. 1932] Toronto's first motorcycle policeman.
Inspector Charles Greenwood on motorcycle. – [ca. 1932] Toronto’s first motorcycle policeman.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mayor Saunders in Old City Hall
General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mayor Saunders in Old City Hall – January 12, 1946
Franklin Portrait
Franklin Portrait – 192-?
Exhibition, Warriors Parade, Police Constables. - August 28, 1926
Exhibition, Warriors Parade, Police Constables. – August 28, 1926
Duke of Connaught with Colonel Grassett, inspecting police. - 1918
Duke of Connaught with Colonel Grassett, inspecting police. – 1918
Communist meeting, motorcycle officers watching. - October 12, 1929
Communist meeting, motorcycle officers watching. – October 12, 1929
CNE, luncheon group, Warriors' Parade, mounted police. August 23, 1930
CNE, luncheon group, Warriors’ Parade, mounted police. August 23, 1930
CNE, Kids Day, mounted officer with lost kid. - August 27, 1929
CNE, Kids Day, mounted officer with lost kid. – August 27, 1929
Chief Constable Samuel Dickson at desk in station
Chief Constable Samuel Dickson at desk in station – before 1926
Brig-Gen. D. C. [Draper], new Police Chief, with Dep-Chief Beatty. - May 1, 1928
Brig-Gen. D. C. [Draper], new Police Chief, with Dep-Chief Beatty. – May 1, 1928
Boyd Gang capture, police search barn
Boyd Gang capture, police search barn. Guns were found hidden in the hay – September 16, 1952
Raffles the escape artist at Victory Bond rally, City Hall. - [1915]
Raffles the escape artist at Victory Bond rally, City Hall. – [1915]

 

About Joel Levy 2542 Articles
Editor-In-Chief at Toronto Guardian. Photographer and Writer for Toronto Guardian and Joel Levy Photography