Alton C. Parker
Alton C. Parker CM OMC (July 3, 1907 – February 28, 1989) was a Canadian police detective. He was the first black Canadian promoted to the position in the country's history. A native of Windsor, Parker entered the city's law enforcement service in September 1942, hired as a constable. He led a distinguished 28-year career, marked by his appointment to detective in 1951 and several honors in his lifetime, including the Order of Canada.
Early life[]
Alton C. Parker was born in Windsor, Ontario, on July 3, 1907, where he would remain for the rest of his life.[1] Before his service with the Windsor Police Service, Parker, a mechanic by trade, worked as a foreman at a used car dealership.[2] He played an active role in the black community: the president of the Central Citizens Association, a group organized to address, among other things, the employment of black people in Windsor's public services, Parker was considered the most qualified candidate to enter the police force.[3]
Career[]
At 34 years old, Parker was hired by the Windsor Police, working as a constable. Despite his appointment meeting with some resistance, Parker's professional demeanor swayed the opinion of fellow officers.[3] Nine years later, on July 28, 1951, he was promoted by Chief Constable Farrow to detective—the first black Canadian to receive such an appointment.[3][4] His popularity as a policeman was arguably superseded by his activism in the Windsor community: he was a founding member of the Apartment Living for Physically Handicapped Adults (ALPHA); in the 1960s, Parker became a board of directors member of Goodwill Industries, and hosted an annual event for youths at Broadhead Park, a cite renamed in his honor in 1976.[5]
Later life and death[]
Parker retired on December 30, 1970.[5] In 1976, he was appointed to the Order of Canada.[6] He also received the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.[5]
He died on February 28, 1989 at age 81; his funeral service attracted large crowds—so much so that the ceremony was broadcast to nearby churches to accommodate the amassed mourners.[5]
References[]
- ^ Wilhelm, Trevor. "Windsor's First Black Police Officer Honoured". Windsor Star. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ "Alton C. Parker". Windsor Public Library. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Black History Month: Det. Alton C. Parker" (PDF). Police Windsor. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ "Community to Remember Windsor's First Black Police Officer". Windsor City News. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Law Enforcement". African Canadian Community. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ Order of Canada: Alton C. Parker, C.M., LL.D., Archives of the Governor General of Canada.
- 1907 births
- 1989 deaths
- Black Canadian people
- Canadian police officers
- People from Windsor, Ontario
- Members of the Order of Canada