Staff Inspector, Unit Commander, Marine Unit, Toronto Police Service, Toronto, ON. Born: Jamaica.
David McLeod was born in Jamaica, in 1953 and migrated to Canada in 1975. He was appointed to the Toronto Police Service in 1979 and has had various assignments ranging from: Primary Response uniform duties, detective functions, Criminal Intelligence Services, uniform supervision, Platoon Commander, Professional Standards Unit, Commander of Uniform Operations in a field unit, and a period of secondment to the Jamaica Constabulary Force. In the Professional Standards Unit, he was responsible for the administration of the Public Complaints System.
Inspector McLeod served as the officer in charge of the Organised Crime Unit of Intelligence Services for six years, and was accorded “expert” status in Organised Crime by various levels of the judicial system. He has lectured on the subject extensively, both locally and abroad.
In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector and remained with the Professional Standards Unit in the role of Duty Inspector. In 2004, he was transferred to 14 division where he served as the Commander in charge of Uniform Operations, and in 2005, Inspector McLeod was transferred to Intelligence Services to lead the Urban Organized Crime Unit as a part of the Service’s strategy against gun and gang violence. The following year, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Inspector and seconded, as an intelligence liaison officer/advisor, to the Jamaica Constabulary Force for a period of six months.
From 2007-10, Staff Inspector McLeod was assigned to 13 Division serving as the Unit Commander, until his assignment as Unit Commander of the Marine Unit just this month.
Honours: Numerous including, Police Services Board Commendation; Chief of Police Letter of Recognition; Eglinton Business Initiative Award for assistance to Black Youth; Hon. Jean Augustine Community Award; Province of Ontario Community Contribution Award; City of Toronto Councillors Award; British Episcopal Church Community Award; Attorney General Community Award; Camp Jumoke Volunteer Award; Bob Marley Foundation Award; African-Canadian Achievement Award; inclusion in Who’s Who in Black Canada 2 (2006).
Affiliations: Member of the Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE).
Other: Serves as a mentor to many prospective police recruits as well as serving police officers seeking promotional opportunities; lectures on the subject of Organised Crime extensively, both locally and abroad. Staff Inspector McLeod is also an active advocate of bias free policing.
Favourite book? Good to Great, by Jim Collins.
Favourite quote? “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” (“Who will guard the guardians?” / “Who will watch the watchers?”)
Given the chance, what would you love to do that you have not done yet? Complete flying lessons and qualify as a pilot.
Who inspires you? Single mothers who work 2 or 3 jobs (often with no support from a partner) to raise their children.
Why do you do what you do? Service to the public, most often the disenfranchised.