1981 Bathhouse raids
Jack Ackroyd became the Metro Force's Chief of Police in 1980 following the tenure of Harold Adamson (police chief). Again political – not policing – concerns overshadowed how the Gay Community around the Church and Wellesly area should be monitored.[8] Ackroyd, in an interview with the Toronto Star, talked about the political pressure he was under to do something about the so-called problem:
" We can't force people to give up their prejudices or their biases, not even policemen. But a cop has to be prepared to be professional. …I might have some personal prejudices about the lifestyle choice of homosexuals, but that cannot enter into my work. Legally and morally, they are entitled to the protection of the police department.[11] "
On February 5, 1981, under his reign as police chief, one of Canada's largest civilian round-ups occurred in the city's gay ghetto. It was the infamous "Bathhouse raids" and as the CBC reported "the largest mass arrest in Canada since the October Crisis of 1970."[12] Over 300 people were arrested and Ackroyd defended it by the fact that there were several criminal code violations and that he "...as Chief, have no other course of action but to go along with the direction of the Crown Attorney."[13] Large protests followed these raids, and the raids became a rallying symbol for the Gay community.[14] Because the raids took place in the middle of a provincial election, it was seen by many observers including the Toronto Star, that the raids were politically motivated to help the ruling Conservative government gain a majority.[15] Jack Ackroyd's term saw the chief's role increasingly politicized. Two years later, in another interview with the Star, Ackroyd even agrees that the chief's job has become too politicized.[16] His career was an interesting dichotomy of progressive reform with the community-based policing approach, as well as accusations that the police force became an instrument for political advantage as seen in his handling of the policing of the Gay community.[17]
Post Police Chief career
Head of the LCBO
At the age of 58, Jack Ackroyd made a career change: he became an Ontario Civil Servant, by accepting the position of vice-chairman of the LCBO.[4] In quick succession, he became the chairman of the public sector corporation, and immediately set about reforming it.[4] Under his watch, the LCBO launched Project Image, which improved the retail end of its operations in many ways. He was responsible for ordering the redesign of the board's logo – which was in use until the early 2000s – to a burgundy and gold design.[4] To improve the image of the retail locations, he made sure that newly designed uniforms were issued to sales staff.[4] In an effort to bring more modern in-store marketing techniques, he authorized store managers to mount discreet product displays.[4] General marketing outside the retail locations was modernized to include bus shelter posters and other forms of advertising.[4] Ackroyd also made the visibility of the higher quality Vintages stores more known and important.[4] His term as the LCBO's chairman can be summarized as bringing the board from a Prohibition-era government substance control agency, to a modern, customer-friendly corporation that made billions of dollars for the Ontario Government.[4]
Ackroyd hadn't completely abandoned his policing background during this time though. He made sure his policing legacy would endure by donating the funds for an "academic excellence in police related studies" prize, administered by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Research Foundation.[18]
Sickness and death
Jack Ackroyd spent many months confined to a hospital bed due to a blood illness. He died in the early morning hours of September 30, 1992, at Toronto General Hospital from long-term complications due to the blood disorder.[6] His funeral was held on October 3, 1992, at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, a house of worship accustomed to holding the city's notable funeral services.[19]
An official tribute, on the floor of the Ontario Legislature, by Bob Runciman, the MPP for Leeds—Grenville, stated that "Jack Ackroyd set an example that continues to be the goal of Metro's men and women in blue. While he will be sadly missed by us all, there is comfort in knowing that his style and professional manner will be with us for many years to come."
1981 Bathhouse raids
Jack Ackroyd became the Metro Force's Chief of Police in 1980 following the tenure of Harold Adamson (police chief). Again political – not policing – concerns overshadowed how the Gay Community around the Church and Wellesly area should be monitored.[8] Ackroyd, in an interview with the Toronto Star, talked about the political pressure he was under to do something about the so-called problem:
" We can't force people to give up their prejudices or their biases, not even policemen. But a cop has to be prepared to be professional. …I might have some personal prejudices about the lifestyle choice of homosexuals, but that cannot enter into my work. Legally and morally, they are entitled to the protection of the police department.[11] "
On February 5, 1981, under his reign as police chief, one of Canada's largest civilian round-ups occurred in the city's gay ghetto. It was the infamous "Bathhouse raids" and as the CBC reported "the largest mass arrest in Canada since the October Crisis of 1970."[12] Over 300 people were arrested and Ackroyd defended it by the fact that there were several criminal code violations and that he "...as Chief, have no other course of action but to go along with the direction of the Crown Attorney."[13] Large protests followed these raids, and the raids became a rallying symbol for the Gay community.[14] Because the raids took place in the middle of a provincial election, it was seen by many observers including the Toronto Star, that the raids were politically motivated to help the ruling Conservative government gain a majority.[15] Jack Ackroyd's term saw the chief's role increasingly politicized. Two years later, in another interview with the Star, Ackroyd even agrees that the chief's job has become too politicized.[16] His career was an interesting dichotomy of progressive reform with the community-based policing approach, as well as accusations that the police force became an instrument for political advantage as seen in his handling of the policing of the Gay community.[17]
Post Police Chief career
Head of the LCBO
At the age of 58, Jack Ackroyd made a career change: he became an Ontario Civil Servant, by accepting the position of vice-chairman of the LCBO.[4] In quick succession, he became the chairman of the public sector corporation, and immediately set about reforming it.[4] Under his watch, the LCBO launched Project Image, which improved the retail end of its operations in many ways. He was responsible for ordering the redesign of the board's logo – which was in use until the early 2000s – to a burgundy and gold design.[4] To improve the image of the retail locations, he made sure that newly designed uniforms were issued to sales staff.[4] In an effort to bring more modern in-store marketing techniques, he authorized store managers to mount discreet product displays.[4] General marketing outside the retail locations was modernized to include bus shelter posters and other forms of advertising.[4] Ackroyd also made the visibility of the higher quality Vintages stores more known and important.[4] His term as the LCBO's chairman can be summarized as bringing the board from a Prohibition-era government substance control agency, to a modern, customer-friendly corporation that made billions of dollars for the Ontario Government.[4]
Ackroyd hadn't completely abandoned his policing background during this time though. He made sure his policing legacy would endure by donating the funds for an "academic excellence in police related studies" prize, administered by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Research Foundation.[18]
Sickness and death
Jack Ackroyd spent many months confined to a hospital bed due to a blood illness. He died in the early morning hours of September 30, 1992, at Toronto General Hospital from long-term complications due to the blood disorder.[6] His funeral was held on October 3, 1992, at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, a house of worship accustomed to holding the city's notable funeral services.[19]
An official tribute, on the floor of the Ontario Legislature, by Bob Runciman, the MPP for Leeds—Grenville, stated that "Jack Ackroyd set an example that continues to be the goal of Metro's men and women in blue. While he will be sadly missed by us all, there is comfort in knowing that his style and professional manner will be with us for many years to come."
Inscription
IN LOVING MEMORY
ACKROYD
JOHN WESLTY
1925 - 1992
LYN ELIZABETH
1925 - 2011
WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND
FAITHFUL SERVANT
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