Staff Inspector Patricia Post

Patricia Joan Post provides a comprehensive account of her pioneering career with the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force from 1961 to 1991. Born in northern Ontario, Post served five years in the Air Force before joining one of the first women’s police training classes. She began her career in the Women’s Bureau, primarily directing traffic and handling female-related duties, before transitioning through various roles including the Youth Bureau, uniform supervision, and complaints investigation.

Post’s career progression is remarkable for its breadth and the barriers she broke. She spent significant time in the Youth Bureau during the expansion of juvenile crime programs in the 1960s-70s, investigating crimes committed by youths aged 7-16 under the Juvenile Delinquents Act. Her later roles included uniform supervision at Division 32, five years in the Complaints Bureau investigating police misconduct, and eventual promotion through the ranks to become a Staff Inspector.

By 1991, Post had reached the rank of Staff Inspector at 53 Division, implementing innovative community policing programs. Her interview reveals the evolution of women’s roles in policing, the challenges of being among the first female supervisors, and the development of modern police-community relations. She discusses the transition from the military-style policing of the 1960s to more community-oriented approaches of the 1990s, offering insights into three decades of police reform and women’s advancement in law enforcement.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.