TORONTO

A new chief will soon take the helm of Toronto Police and begin the tough task of leading the service through challenges times.

But as the Toronto Police Services Board’s selection process approaches the finish line, it’s the race within the race that is the talk of the town as officers and civilians wonder if the city will soon have its first black top cop.

“We are very excited by the calibre of the people who have put their names forward,” TPSB chair Alok Mukherjee told the Toronto Sun. “We have received applications from across Canada as well as internationally.”

After voting not to renew Chief Bill Blair’s contract for a third term, the board embarked on a global search in January to fill the $360,000-a-year post.

Mukherjee said he expects the board will decide on an applicant who is “the best fit” for the board, service members and the community before Blair hangs up his holster April 25.

“As you know, in the job ad, the board stated clearly that it was looking for a visionary change leader,” he added. “I believe we have a good pool to consider, including several internal candidates.”

The applicants for the high-profile job have not been made public, but it’s no secret the internal candidates include Deputy Chiefs Peter Sloly, Mark Saunders — the force’s highest-ranking black officers — and Mike Federico.

And while there has been much talk in recent months from TPSB and city leaders about the need for a fresh face to shake-up the culture within the service, improve morale and restore public trust, many insiders doubt the board will hire externally.

Norm Gardner was involved in the hiring of three new chiefs during his 14 years on the TPSB, which he chaired from 1998-2004, and he’s among those who believe “the Toronto guys have an advantage.”

He noted the only chief ever hired externally was Julian Fantino, now an MP and federal cabinet minister.

And he was a Toronto police officer for 23 years before leaving to head forces in London and York Region, so he wasn’t exactly an outsider when he returned to the city in 2000.

Given the past track record and the experience, Saunders, Sloly and Federico have garnered as deputy chiefs in the country’s largest police force, Gardner believes the board will be hard-pressed to find a better candidate externally.

“They know the city and understand the issues the service is dealing with,” he said.

Much of the media focus so far has been on two deputy chiefs in particular, Saunders and Sloly, largely due to a push from the city’s black community for representation at the highest level of policing.

The African Canadian Legal Clinic, a not-for-profit that addresses issues of racism, sent a letter to the TPSB last week declaring support for Sloly.

“Of the known contenders, none have publicly demonstrated equal or more willingness than Deputy Chief Sloly to actively engage and openly discuss the critical issues in policing that have the most disproportionate and detrimental impacts on the African-Canadian community,” the ACLC stated in its endorsement letter.

The ACLC added those issues include the hot potato of carding, racial profiling, police use of force and community victimization by gangs, guns and drugs.

ACLC spokesman Anthony Morgan commended the progress made during Blair’s decade as chief, including the increase in cultural diversity on the frontline.

But he said it’s time the TPSB shows “moral courage” and chooses a chief who can bridge the divide between police and the black community.

“It’s definitely overdue,” Morgan said, adding anything else would be “a step backward.”

But as the ACLC said in its letter the new chief can’t be someone who is just “a token.”

“Simply being a black face or another person of colour is unacceptable,” the ACLC added. “Our (police) need a leader who dares to harness the power of the community voices that work to push for change and accountability based on our city’s most pressing needs.”

Sloly, Saunders and Federico declined requests for interviews about the selection of a new chief.

Sloly, 48, was born in Jamaica in 1966 and moved to Toronto with his family as a boy. He has a BA in sociology from McMaster University and a Masters in business administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Sloly also played pro soccer and was a member of Canada’s national team before becoming a cop 25 years ago.

Prior to being promoted to the senior ranks in 1999 — the youngest officer to reach the senior level at the time — he worked in the Community Response, Major Crime, Youth Bureau and Public Order units.

Sloly has held senior positions at 31 Division, 52 Division and Duty Operations. He has also served as unit commander of 55 Division, 53 Division and Corporate Communications.

As a deputy chief, Sloly is in charge of Community Safety Command and he earned just under $241,000 last year, according to the province’s Sunshine List.

The ACLC feels Sloly’s education, experience and leadership skills make him “amply qualified” for the job.

But the rank-and-file question Sloly’s minimal frontline experience and speedy rise through the ranks.

Saunders, on the other hand, is highly respected among the rank-and-file.

Born in 1962 in England, Saunders also moved to Toronto as a youngster with his Jamaican parents and he has a BA in justice studies from Guelph Humber University.

During his 32 years as a police officer, he has worked in Professional Standards, Urban Street Gang Unit, Intelligence Division, Drug Squad and Community Safety Command. He was also the first black sergeant in the ETF and first black homicide squad boss.

As a deputy chief, Saunders is in charge of Specialized Operations Command and earned just under $205,000 last year.

He has also completed the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Course and is in charge of security for Toronto’s upcoming Pan Am Games.

Then there’s Federico, who has a BA in justice studies from the University of Guelph and over 40 years on the job.

During his career, he has led Professional Standards, Human Resource Development and Central Field Command and he has commanded both uniform and investigative units. He also served as senior investigative advisor to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.

As a deputy chief, Federico is in charge of Operational Support Services and earned just over $215,000 last year.

But as the proverbial middle-aged white guy, he appears to be the odd man out.

While the Toronto Police Association is not openly supporting a candidate, Saunders’ credentials match up well with what the union is hoping for.

“The next chief has a big challenge ahead,” TPA President Mike McCormack said. “We need someone who understands the new world of policing, which includes cyber crimes and anti-terrorism (among other things).”

He said the next chief should also have experience with “the many issues confronting Toronto Police.”

Those issues include reigning in the service’s billion-dollar budget, improving community relations and boosting the badly damaged moral of the troops.

“We need somebody who has credibility with the public and our members,” McCormack said, explaining the new chief will need to “lead and unite” cops and the city they serve.

And McCormack believes the TPSB’s main focus should be finding “the right person for the job.”

“We’re not ignorant to the realities,” he added, referring to the desire among a segment of the city for the next chief to be a visible minority.

“But we don’t think race should be a factor at all,” McCormack said.

Many close to the issue, including police officers, have expressed concern the TPSB has been painted into a corner and may feel pressured to overlook potential new leaders rather than risk slighting visible minorities by passing on not one but two qualified black candidates.

But Mukherjee seems undaunted.

“I won’t say that the board is feeling pressured,” he said. “However, it would be accurate to say that the board is aware that the city’s African-Canadian community wants the next chief to be black and is very sensitive to the reasons behind this expectation.”

chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca