Hundreds gather to pay tribute to slain U.S. police officers

Candlelight vigil held at Ontario Police Memorial at Queen’s Park to honour officers recently gunned down in the United States.
Hundreds of police officers, politicians and members of the public gathered at Queen’s Park Wednesday night to pay tribute to officers recently gunned down in U.S. cities like Dallas and Baton Rouge.
“These are troubled times in policing,” Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack told the crowd assembled at the Ontario Police Memorial. “Thank you for making the effort of coming here and sharing this moment with us.”
Mayor John Tory spoke of the dedication he sees displayed by officers in serving the public. He noted the city still “struggles with equity” and divided communities and that there are issues of trust that need to be fixed. He also expressed concern about the recent slayings of officers in the United States.
“The events we are seeing across the border are concerning, they’re beyond imagination,” Tory said.
OPP president Rob Jamieson said officers here have been rattled by the U.S. killings.
“These senseless murders have had a profound impact on police and the communities they serve,” Jamieson said in a statement. “This vigil gives us the opportunity to band together in a show of support and respect for police personnel, at home and abroad.”
Toronto police chief Mark Saunders, noting the important role police play in keeping communities safe, dismissed criticisms that have been levelled against police recently.
“All police are not murderers, all police are not racists,” Saunders said, leaning into the podium in front of the memorial.
“I’m hoping for a day that everyone who feels disenfranchised with police comes to the table to have a meaningful talk.”
Tensions between Black Lives Matter Toronto and police have been high since earlier this year when the activist group held a week-long sit-in outside of police headquarters on College St.