Toronto Police union president Mike McCormack retiring

Torontosun.com
July 8, 2020
Joe Warmington

Already on the hunt for a new chief, Toronto Police will soon see a vacancy in the presidency of their union as well, the Toronto Sun has learned.

But Toronto Police Association (TPA) president Mike McCormack will be on the job one day longer than outgoing Chief Mark Saunders, who said his last day is July 31 after 37 years in uniform.

The very next day, McCormack will retire from his role as leader of 7,000 uniformed and civilian members after 11 years at the helm. Combined with his 24 years as an officer, he’s been on the front lines of policing for almost 35 years.

“It has been an honour representing our amazing members for so many years but I think it’s time for others to take the leadership with some fresh ideas,” McCormack told the Sun as he sent out his retirement announcement letter at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“It will be effective Aug. 1,” he said.

McCormack said he feels he’s leaving the TPA in strong hands. Vice-president Brian Callanan will take the reins until a new president is elected by the members in 2021. Callanan will he backstopped by the leadership of TPA directors Scott Spratt, Pete Grande, Helena Briand, Kevin Corrigan, Clayton Campbell, Jon Reid and Jason Tomlinson.

The son of former Toronto Police chief Bill McCormack, McCormack has led the association through a period of turmoil where it’s currently in style for critics to push for moving away from traditional policing models in what is called a defunding effort.

On the recent motion to cut 10% from the police budget and redistribute the $122-million savings toward a social worker-unarmed police approach for mental health calls, McCormack reminded that police officers have great success at most of these calls and that “emotion” against police is not always backed up with solid data to justify such action.

He also warned a reduction of 500 front-line officers would have an impact on a city already struggling with increased gun violence. In the end, Mayor John Tory’s less radical motion won the day but McCormack said he’s hopeful dialogue about any change in policing is rooted in reality and not just politics.

People, he said, need to be careful what they wish for.

“Tell us where you think we can find those savings because we’re looking for savings all the time. It’s a concept without a plan,” McCormack said about the drive to defund the police.

He points out officers understand they are under political siege as well as vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. He always felt he needed to be an equalizer in a time when fingers are pointed and assertions levelled toward policing that are not backed up with hard facts.

One of the many successes of McCormack’s time in office has been his communication skills -- always being available to the media on whatever issue was ruling the moment, trying to make sure both sides of stories were being told. His measured approach resulted in him being elected four terms as president, but he said he feels now is time for fresh perspectives.

Although he has no immediate plans, as with Saunders there is a breadth of experience with McCormack that others could draw on for future civilian roles or government appointments. However, for the next few weeks McCormack said his sole concentration is on the TPA members and he plans to work full time on their behalf until he passes the torch to the next generation.

“I am proud of Toronto Police Association members as officers and civilians but also as very good people,” said McCormack. “It has been rewarding to serve them for all of these years.”