James Page Mackey
Encyclopedia
James Page Mackey was chief of the Metropolitan Toronto Police
from 1958 to 1970 and the longest-serving Toronto police chief
since the creation of the amalgamated police force in 1957.
Mackey graduated from high school in Scarborough, Ontario
and thought of becoming a chemist or builder but, with work difficult to find during the Great Depression
he found employment as a milkman
when Toronto police sergeant Michael Byrt said to the young Mackey, "Lad, why don't you join the force? It's a good job and good jobs are hard to find these days."
Mackey joined the original Toronto Police Department in 1936, "Jim was the 20th of 20 men taken on," his wife, Anne, later recalled. "We were very happy."
He went on a leave of absence during World War II
to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force
and returned to the department after the war. He walked the beat, then became a detective and rose to the rank of junior inspector when, in 1958, he skipped two ranks to be appointed to be chief of police of the newly created Metropolitan Toronto Police following the suicide
of Chief John Chisholm. The newly expanded department of 2,300 officers and civilians had been created the year before due to the amalgamation of the original Toronto Police Department with twelve suburban police departments.
In the 1960s, he was successful in stopping mobsters from Buffalo, New York
from establishing a foothold in Toronto.
He served as chief for 12 years before retiring in 1970. He was then Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario
until 1975. His autobiography, I Policed Toronto, was published in 1985.
Mackey retired to Bracebridge, Ontario
where he died at the age of 95.
Toronto Police Service
The Toronto Police Service , formerly the Metropolitan Toronto Police, is the police service for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest municipal police service in Canada and second largest police force in Canada after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police...
from 1958 to 1970 and the longest-serving Toronto police chief
Chief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
since the creation of the amalgamated police force in 1957.
Mackey graduated from high school in Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
and thought of becoming a chemist or builder but, with work difficult to find during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
he found employment as a milkman
Milkman
A milkman is a person, traditionally male, who delivers milk in milk bottles or cartons. Milk deliveries frequently occur in the morning and it is not uncommon for milkmen to deliver products other than milk such as eggs, cream, cheese, butter, yogurt or soft drinks...
when Toronto police sergeant Michael Byrt said to the young Mackey, "Lad, why don't you join the force? It's a good job and good jobs are hard to find these days."
Mackey joined the original Toronto Police Department in 1936, "Jim was the 20th of 20 men taken on," his wife, Anne, later recalled. "We were very happy."
He went on a leave of absence during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
and returned to the department after the war. He walked the beat, then became a detective and rose to the rank of junior inspector when, in 1958, he skipped two ranks to be appointed to be chief of police of the newly created Metropolitan Toronto Police following the suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
of Chief John Chisholm. The newly expanded department of 2,300 officers and civilians had been created the year before due to the amalgamation of the original Toronto Police Department with twelve suburban police departments.
In the 1960s, he was successful in stopping mobsters from Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
from establishing a foothold in Toronto.
He served as chief for 12 years before retiring in 1970. He was then Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario
Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario
Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario was the regulatory agency responsible for issuing liquor permits and regulating the sale, service and consumption of beverage alcohol in Ontario to promote moderation and responsible use to establishment in Ontario.-History:...
until 1975. His autobiography, I Policed Toronto, was published in 1985.
Mackey retired to Bracebridge, Ontario
Bracebridge, Ontario
Bracebridge is a town and the seat of the Muskoka District Municipality of Ontario, Canada.The town was built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River in the centre of town, and is known for its other nearby waterfalls . It was first incorporated in 1875...
where he died at the age of 95.