By Shoynear Morrison
Toronto’s Police Chief, William Blair, will be ending his 10 year career on April 25.
Outgoing Toronto police chief Bill Blair was honoured at his retirement gala Thursday evening http://t.co/pydiLdQTsJ pic.twitter.com/iy1pTRVHYo
— NEWSTALK1010 (@newstalk1010) April 24, 2015
Born in Scarborough, Ont. Blair became chief of police on April 6, 2005. Throughout his career Blair faced criticism on a number of issues, one of which was the police practice of carding.
Carding policy passed by Toronto police board, despite lingering concerns http://t.co/hOB5H9TCMB pic.twitter.com/R0yvXAZOjA — CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) April 17, 2015
After the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit protests, he was asked to resign by protesters.
Peaceful protesters demand resignation of Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair http://bit.ly/aTAgj3 #G20
— blogTO (@blogTO) June 29, 2010
When the Rob Ford crack video surfaced, it pitted the police chief against Mayor Rob Ford.
His 10 years as police chief was celebrated this week with a retirement gala at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Inside the gala retirement party for Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair. Metro Toronto Convention Centre. @680News pic.twitter.com/P3N97iTcke — Mark Douglas (@Douglas680NEWS) April 23, 2015
“I’ve done my best” Chief Bill Blair at his retirement gala last night. @Shawn_Jeffords story here: http://t.co/32yK98y4jT #TOpoli
— Don Peat (@reporterdonpeat) April 24, 2015
Outgoing Police Chief Bill Blair told his retirement gala last night his time as chief has been “a privalege”; he retires tomorrow — indie88news (@indie88news) April 24, 2015
In 2005, Blair was the first Toronto police chief to march in the city’s iconic gay Pride parade.
@TorontoPolice Chief Bill Blair gala last night. The LGBTQ community could not have asked for a better ally Thank-you pic.twitter.com/SU5fphEp4W
— LGBTQ ISN (@TDotGayCops) April 24, 2015
‘Sometimes he came home with a biker beard and sometimes he didn’t.’ Highlights from Chief Bill Blair’s farewell gala http://t.co/VRyh2aklaa — Irene Gentle (@IreneGentle) April 24, 2015
On April 26th, Mark Saunders will succeed Bill Blair as Toronto Police Chief.
And all our city columnists have weighed in – Royson: http://t.co/TS6pJtOItX Keenan: http://t.co/BYaPKT1SJa DiManno: http://t.co/3oLJPSftjM
— Jennifer Pagliaro (@jpags) April 21, 2015