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{{Short description|Canadian police officer}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Harold Adamson
| name = Harold Adamson
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| office1 = Chief of the [[Toronto Police Service|Metropolitan Toronto Police]]
| office1 = Chief of the [[Toronto Police Service|Metropolitan Toronto Police]]
| predecessor1 = [[James Page Mackey]]
| predecessor1 = [[James Page Mackey]]
| successor1 = [[Jack W. Ackroyd]]
| successor1 = [[Jack Ackroyd]]
| term_start1 = 1970
| term_start1 = 1970
| term_end1 = 1980
| term_end1 = 1980
| birth_date = 1921
| birth_date = 1921
| birth_place =
| birth_place = [[Scarborough, Toronto|Scarborough]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| death_date = 2001
| death_date = December 6, 2001 (Age 80)<ref name = "star">
{{Cite news
⚫
| death_place =
| nationality = [[Canada|Canadian]]
| last1 = Barnes
⚫
| first1 = Alan
| title = Harold Adamson, 80, earned his officers' faith
| work = [[Toronto Star]]
| date = December 7, 2001
| page = A20
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-harold-adamson-80-ear/160202522/
| access-date = December 3, 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241203042041/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-harold-adamson-80-ear/160202522/
| archive-date = December 3, 2024
| url-status = live
| via = [[Newspapers.com]]
| issn = 0319-0781
}}</ref>
⚫
| death_place = [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada
| spouse =
| spouse =
| party =
| party =
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| occupation =
| occupation =
| profession =
| profession =
⚫
| religion =
| signature =
| signature =
| website =
| website =
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}}
}}


⚫
'''Harold Adamson''' (1921 – December 6, 2001) was [[Chief of police|Chief]] of the [[Toronto Police Service|Metropolitan Toronto Police]] in the 1970s and served as a police officer for 41 years until his retirement in 1980.<ref name = "Globe Obit 2001">
{{Onesource|date=March 2009}}
{{cite news
| author = G&M Staff
| title = Controversial former police chief Adamson dead at 80
| work = [[The Globe and Mail]]
| publisher = [[Bell Globemedia]]
| location = Toronto
| date = December 7, 2001
| page = A27
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/controversial-former-police-chief-adamson-dead-at-80/article4157399/
| access-date = December 3, 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241203044309/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/controversial-former-police-chief-adamson-dead-at-80/article4157399/
| archive-date = December 3, 2024
| url-status = dead
| issn = 0319-0714
}}</ref>


⚫
Adamson's first foray into law enforcement was at the age of 18 when he came across a burglar in his home and hit him with his [[Lunch box]]. He joined the [[Scarborough, Toronto|Scarborough]] Police Department the next year, rising to the rank of [[Deputy chief constable|Deputy Chief]].<ref name="Globe Obit 2001" />
⚫
'''Harold Adamson''' (1921-2001) was [[Chief of police|Chief]] of the [[Toronto Police Service|Metropolitan Toronto Police]] in the 1970s and served as a police officer for 41 years until his retirement in 1980.<ref name=star>"ADAMSON: Harold, 80: Ex-chief earned officers' respect: Chief presided over reforms but stood by police", ''Toronto Star'', February 7, 2001</ref>


In 1953, he came to public attention when, as a [[Inspector|police inspector]], he investigated the disappearance of Scarborough teenager Marion McDowell, organizing what was then the largest [[Manhunt (law enforcement)|manhunt]] in Toronto history for the missing girl. The case was never solved.<ref name=star/>
⚫
Adamson's first foray into law enforcement was at the age of 18 when he came across a burgler in his home and hit him with his lunch bucket. He joined the [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]] Police Department the next year.<ref name=star/>


In 1953, he came to public attention when, as a police inspector, he investigated the disappearance of Scarborough teenager Marion McDowell and organized what was then the largest manhunt in Toronto history for the missing girl. The case was never solved.<ref name=star/>
By 1956, the Scarborough Police Department was amalgamated with other Toronto-area police forces to become the [[Metropolitan Toronto Police]] in 1957. In 1970 he became the new force's third chief with the retirement of [[James Page Mackey]].<ref name=star/>


⚫
The police force in the 1970s had to cope with a growing population, rising crime rate, and declining respect for authority. The Toronto Police faced public anger and charges of racism following the fatal shooting of Albert Johnson by a police officer in 1979. A [[royal commission]] under Justice Donald Morand investigated the police during his tenure and found acts of [[police brutality]] and police officers giving false testimony under oath.<ref name=star/>
By 1956, Adamson was deputy chief of the department which was amalgamated with other Toronto area police forces to become the [[Metropolitan Toronto Police]] in 1957. In 1970 he became the new force's third chief.<ref name=star/> with the retirement of [[James Page Mackey]].


⚫
[[Mel Lastman]], mayor of the [[Metropolitan Toronto]] borough of [[North York]] in the 1970s, said that Adamson responded to complaints of "outlawed displays of bigotry on the force, instituted new procedures following the Morand report into allegations of police brutality and commissioned the Hickling Johnson Report on adapting to the future." Adamson also pushed to recruit more minorities, and oversaw changes such as improving [[Police training officer|officer training]], and expanding work among [[Juvenile delinquency|youth]] in [[crime prevention]].<ref name=star/>
⚫
The police force in 1970s had to cope with a growing population, rising crime rate, and declining respect for authority. The Toronto Police faced public anger and charges of racism following the fatal shooting of Albert Johnson by a police officer in 1979. A [[royal commission]] under Justice Donald Morand investigated the police during his tenure and found acts of [[police brutality]] and police officers giving false testimony under oath.<ref name=star/>


On October 5, 2005, nine days before his 58th birthday, Adamson's son, retired [[Staff sergeant|Staff-Sergeant]] Edward William John "Eddie" Adamson, committed [[suicide]], suffering from [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] as a result of his failed efforts to save a fallen officer during a [[hostage]] situation on March 14, 1980.<ref>[http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/officer-who-killed-himself-after-tragic-rescue-attempt-denied-spot-on-police-memorial "Officer who killed himself after tragic rescue attempt denied spot on police memorial"] ''[[National Post]]'' (October 7, 2012) June 15, 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/mark_bonokoski/2009/01/25/8139281-sun.html "Peace, justice at last"] ''[[Toronto Sun]]'' (January 25, 2009) June 15, 2017</ref> In 2008, the [[Workplace Safety & Insurance Board]] declared officially his death was ruled a work-related injury. His family was informed in April 2017 that his name will be placed on the Police Service Honor Roll. Eddie's daughter, Julie, is a retired Staff Sergeant with York Regional Police.<ref>[http://militarybruce.com/overdue-honour-staff-sergeant-eddie-adamson-to-be-honoured-on-the-toronto-police-honour-roll/ "Overdue honour: Staff Sergeant Eddie Adamson to be honoured on the Toronto Police Honour Roll"] ''militarybruce.com'' June 15, 2017</ref>
⚫
[[Mel Lastman]], mayor of the [[Metropolitan Toronto]] borough of [[North York, Ontario|North York]] in the 1970s said that Adamson responded to complaints and "outlawed displays of bigotry on the force, instituted new procedures following the Morand report into allegations of police brutality and commissioned the Hickling Johnson Report on adapting to the future." Adamson also pushed to recruit more ethnic minorities to the police force and oversaw changes such as improving officer training, and expanding work among youth and in crime prevention.<ref name=star/>


Of being police chief, Adamson once said, "this is a job that will never give you a swelled head. I didn't accept it with any great degree of relish. It was very nice to be made chief of police, but I certainly knew I wasn't in for any picnic."<ref name=star/>
Of being police chief, Adamson once said, "this is a job that will never give you a swelled head. I didn't accept it with any great degree of relish. It was very nice to be made chief of police, but I certainly knew I wasn't in for any picnic."<ref name=star/>
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==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
{{Toronto Police Chiefs}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Adamson, Harold}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adamson, Harold}}
⚫
[[Category:Toronto police chiefs]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Scarborough, Ontario]]
⚫
[[Category:Toronto police chiefs]]

Latest revision as of 04:55, 3 December 2024

Harold Adamson
Chief of the Metropolitan Toronto Police
In office
1970–1980
Preceded byJames Page Mackey
Succeeded byJack Ackroyd
Personal details
Born1921
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
DiedDecember 6, 2001 (Age 80)[1]
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Harold Adamson (1921 – December 6, 2001) was Chief of the Metropolitan Toronto Police in the 1970s and served as a police officer for 41 years until his retirement in 1980.[2]

Adamson's first foray into law enforcement was at the age of 18 when he came across a burglar in his home and hit him with his Lunch box. He joined the Scarborough Police Department the next year, rising to the rank of Deputy Chief.[2]

In 1953, he came to public attention when, as a police inspector, he investigated the disappearance of Scarborough teenager Marion McDowell, organizing what was then the largest manhunt in Toronto history for the missing girl. The case was never solved.[1]

By 1956, the Scarborough Police Department was amalgamated with other Toronto-area police forces to become the Metropolitan Toronto Police in 1957. In 1970 he became the new force's third chief with the retirement of James Page Mackey.[1]

The police force in the 1970s had to cope with a growing population, rising crime rate, and declining respect for authority. The Toronto Police faced public anger and charges of racism following the fatal shooting of Albert Johnson by a police officer in 1979. A royal commission under Justice Donald Morand investigated the police during his tenure and found acts of police brutality and police officers giving false testimony under oath.[1]

Mel Lastman, mayor of the Metropolitan Toronto borough of North York in the 1970s, said that Adamson responded to complaints of "outlawed displays of bigotry on the force, instituted new procedures following the Morand report into allegations of police brutality and commissioned the Hickling Johnson Report on adapting to the future." Adamson also pushed to recruit more minorities, and oversaw changes such as improving officer training, and expanding work among youth in crime prevention.[1]

On October 5, 2005, nine days before his 58th birthday, Adamson's son, retired Staff-Sergeant Edward William John "Eddie" Adamson, committed suicide, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his failed efforts to save a fallen officer during a hostage situation on March 14, 1980.[3][4] In 2008, the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board declared officially his death was ruled a work-related injury. His family was informed in April 2017 that his name will be placed on the Police Service Honor Roll. Eddie's daughter, Julie, is a retired Staff Sergeant with York Regional Police.[5]

Of being police chief, Adamson once said, "this is a job that will never give you a swelled head. I didn't accept it with any great degree of relish. It was very nice to be made chief of police, but I certainly knew I wasn't in for any picnic."[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Barnes, Alan (December 7, 2001). "Harold Adamson, 80, earned his officers' faith". Toronto Star. p. A20. ISSN 0319-0781. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b G&M Staff (December 7, 2001). "Controversial former police chief Adamson dead at 80". The Globe and Mail. Toronto: Bell Globemedia. p. A27. ISSN 0319-0714. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Officer who killed himself after tragic rescue attempt denied spot on police memorial" National Post (October 7, 2012) June 15, 2017
  4. ^ "Peace, justice at last" Toronto Sun (January 25, 2009) June 15, 2017
  5. ^ "Overdue honour: Staff Sergeant Eddie Adamson to be honoured on the Toronto Police Honour Roll" militarybruce.com June 15, 2017
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