Craig Bromell
Encyclopedia
Craig Bromell is a Canadian
radio personality. Prior to his broadcast career, Bromell served as president of the Toronto Police Association
from 1997 to 2003. In that position, he was often at odds with the two chiefs of police
during his tenure, Julian Fantino
and David Boothby
. Previous to becoming TPA president, Bromell led a wildcat strike of officers in 51 Division.
In 1996, Thomas Kerr, a homeless man claimed that he was beaten up by nine police officers including Bromell in retaliation for breaking another police officer's arm in a previous encounter. A settlement was made before Bromell, now head of the Toronto Police Union, was scheduled to testify and would be subject to questioning about the event in question. The internal investigator's testimony stated that police claimed that they had never picked up Kerr. However, a fingerprint of Kerr's was lifted from the cruiser that one of the officer's had been using. The investigator also noticed later changes to police notebooks to make it look as though Kerr had an eye injury and was bleeding from his mouth before the alleged beating.
In 2000, the police association under Bromell's leadership launched a telemarketing campaign called Operation True Blue, in which donors were given windshield stickers for their cars. Critics charged that Bromell and the union were amassing a war chest in order to target political opponents, and raised the concern that police officers could offer special privilege (such as disregarding minor traffic infractions, etc.) to people whose cars bore the stickers. Fantino soon forced the campaign to cease. That same year, Bromell released a list of 17 councillors
he recommended that the union endorse during the municipal elections. All of the 17 were conservatives
who advocated curtailing the right of the municipal police services board to review internal affairs, especially in the city's racial profiling
controversy.
Bromell stepped down as head of the police association in 2003 and was succeeded by Rick McIntosh.
In 2004, Bromell became a late morning radio host for talk radio station AM640 Toronto Radio, cohosting The Beat briefly with 640's former news director Ross MacLeod, before permanent co-host Tina Trigiani was selected. The show was rebranded Bromell! in 2006, with co-host John Downs
as Trigiani went on a temporary professional leave. Bromell left AM640 in August 2007.
The television series The Bridge
is loosely based upon Bromell's tenure as head of the police union. Bromell is the executive producer. The lead character, Frank Leo, is modeled upon Bromell and played by Aaron Douglas
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
radio personality. Prior to his broadcast career, Bromell served as president of the Toronto Police Association
Toronto Police Association
The Toronto Police Association , founded in 1944, is a labour organization representing the approximately 5,500 uniformed and 2,500 civilian members of the Toronto Police Service in Toronto, Canada...
from 1997 to 2003. In that position, he was often at odds with the two chiefs of police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
during his tenure, Julian Fantino
Julian Fantino
Julian Fantino is a retired police official and the elected Member of the Parliament of Canada for the riding of Vaughan following a November 29, 2010 by-election...
and David Boothby
David Boothby
Chief David John Boothby, is the last Chief of police of the Metro Toronto Police 1995-1997. Chief Boothby has the unique distinction of being the first Chief chosen of the newly crested Toronto Police Service....
. Previous to becoming TPA president, Bromell led a wildcat strike of officers in 51 Division.
In 1996, Thomas Kerr, a homeless man claimed that he was beaten up by nine police officers including Bromell in retaliation for breaking another police officer's arm in a previous encounter. A settlement was made before Bromell, now head of the Toronto Police Union, was scheduled to testify and would be subject to questioning about the event in question. The internal investigator's testimony stated that police claimed that they had never picked up Kerr. However, a fingerprint of Kerr's was lifted from the cruiser that one of the officer's had been using. The investigator also noticed later changes to police notebooks to make it look as though Kerr had an eye injury and was bleeding from his mouth before the alleged beating.
In 2000, the police association under Bromell's leadership launched a telemarketing campaign called Operation True Blue, in which donors were given windshield stickers for their cars. Critics charged that Bromell and the union were amassing a war chest in order to target political opponents, and raised the concern that police officers could offer special privilege (such as disregarding minor traffic infractions, etc.) to people whose cars bore the stickers. Fantino soon forced the campaign to cease. That same year, Bromell released a list of 17 councillors
Toronto City Council
The Toronto City Council is the governing body of the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors....
he recommended that the union endorse during the municipal elections. All of the 17 were conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
who advocated curtailing the right of the municipal police services board to review internal affairs, especially in the city's racial profiling
Racial profiling
Racial profiling refers to the use of an individual’s race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel as a key factor in deciding whether to engage in enforcement...
controversy.
Bromell stepped down as head of the police association in 2003 and was succeeded by Rick McIntosh.
In 2004, Bromell became a late morning radio host for talk radio station AM640 Toronto Radio, cohosting The Beat briefly with 640's former news director Ross MacLeod, before permanent co-host Tina Trigiani was selected. The show was rebranded Bromell! in 2006, with co-host John Downs
John Downs (broadcaster)
John Downs is a radio reporter and personality, who has worked in news and talk radio in Toronto since 1999, primarily covering Toronto City Hall...
as Trigiani went on a temporary professional leave. Bromell left AM640 in August 2007.
The television series The Bridge
The Bridge (TV series)
The Bridge was a Canadian police drama commissioned by CTV and CBS starring Aaron Douglas. The name of the series is derived from the bridge which separates the wealthy Rosedale neighborhood of Toronto with one of its poorest, St. James Town....
is loosely based upon Bromell's tenure as head of the police union. Bromell is the executive producer. The lead character, Frank Leo, is modeled upon Bromell and played by Aaron Douglas
Aaron Douglas (actor)
Aaron Douglas is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as Galen Tyrol on the Sci Fi Channel's television program Battlestar Galactica....
.