'He paved the road for us': First black police officer in Toronto dies at 87

Lawrence McLarty, who overcame discrimination and "paved the road" for African-Canadians to join Toronto police by becoming the city's first black officer, has died at the age of 87.

McLarty, who went by Larry, joined the Toronto police in 1960 after moving to Canada from Jamaica.

In his 32 years on the police force, he rose from walking the beat on streets such as Bloor and College to being one of the initial members of Toronto's emergency task force. He retired as a detective sergeant in 1992.

"He was very proud about being the first black police officer in Toronto," said his son, Michael McLarty. "On a personal level, it was an achievement. But on another level, it represented a secure job with steady income, that he could provide for his family."

'The first of his race to meet requirements'

McLarty's first application to the Toronto police was rejected, despite his eight years of experience as a police constable in Jamaica.

"He was told he was one-eighth of an inch too short for the job," Michael McLarty said. "A few months later he went to buy a suit, and the tailor measured his height, and he discovered he actually did meet the requirement of 5-foot-10, at least by half-an-inch."

McLarty applied again and was successful.

An article published by the Globe and Mail at the time of his hiring quotes the police commissioner as saying that McLarty joining the service did not represent a change in hiring practices — he was simply "the first of his race to meet requirements."

Michael McLarty said his father faced some discrimination inside and outside of the office as he moved forward in his career.

"There were certainly instances of prejudice or resentment by other police officers and from the public, not used to seeing a black police officer with authority," he said. "But I will say, overall, many of his fellow police officers were very supportive."

McLarty 'paved the road' for black officers

Sonia Thomas, an inspector at 53 Division, said the name Larry McLarty is well-known among black officers in Toronto.

"We know and understand the struggle he went through ... He paved the road for us," said Thomas, who in 1986 became the second black woman to join the Toronto police.

"And even 26 years after he started, when I was hired, there were challenges," said Thomas.

Reuben Stroble, the superintendent of 53 Division, described McLarty as a "mentor" in an e-mail to CBC Toronto.

"Over the years, I have gotten to know Mr. McLarty, and I was inspired by his courage and determination to join an organization that was overtly biased towards people of colour," he wrote.

A 'let's get it done' guy

Michael McLarty also remembers who his father was at home, describing a man deeply committed to his family who loved to have fun.

"He loved reggae music and barbecues. We had a pool. He was kind of famous for hosting his parties, especially his New Year's Eve parties," he said.

McLarty doesn't think his father spent much time thinking about being a trailblazer.

"My dad is more an action-guy, let's get it done, let's move forward. I don't think he was very reflective on what he'd done. But certainly, from meeting other black police officers now, they've been very appreciative about what my dad did and supported him even in retirement."

A scholarship award for black youth interested in police work was created in McLarty's name, and until his health declined, McLarty was there each year to present it.

He died on Dec. 1 in Oshawa. Information about McLarty's funeral is available here.