I have the opportunity, the position, the platform and the voice Discussion on Black History with Constable Peter Grant

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Long hours. Overtime. Understaffing. Concerns about mental health and wellness. Lacking resources.

As a journalist and storyteller, I am exposed to different aspects of the community that has broadened my cultural lens. It is one thing to think you know something. The power is in actually knowing.

As of recent, current reporting assignments have given me the opportunity to speak with Police Officers of African descent. I will be honest; I have always had questions for Afro-Caribbean Police Officers, the number one being, “Why would you choose to do this out of all professions?”

 The answers vary, but the sentiments of all the officers I have spoken to are surprisingly similar. To make an impact!

“I really see the impact being a black Peel Police Officer has in the community. I am granted opportunities to learn the cultures of the communities that I go in.” ~ Peter Grant

I was at the Jr & Sr Black History Classic Basketball Showcase, and the organizer of the event Curt McClean asked me if I wanted to speak with constable Peter Grant. He was there with other officers who were playing an exhibition game at the basketball showcase. I had heard about constable Grant. His dedication to his work, and the community has accelerated him, through the ranks expeditiously.

As the interview began, I could see the intensity, passion and pride that Constable Grant felt about being an Afro-Caribbean man, and a Police Officer.

He began his career as a Prison Escort Officer in 2002 and was promoted to the role of Supervisor at the Prison Escort Bureau in 2011. He proudly became a Police Officer in 2016, and now retains the position of Constable. In June 2013, he was awarded the Civilian Supervisor C.A.R.E.S Award, and in May 2017 the L.W. Farrow Award for personifying enthusiasm, dedication and excellence in Police Training.

One aspect of Constable Grant that cannot be denied is his love for his community, and he expressed this in our discussion.

“The Peel Regional Police basketball team has been engaging the community for my entire career. These are opportunities to engage with members of the community, in particular, young people, outside of the normal policing.”

Quite often, when we engage with the community (particularly the black community), it’s in a setting that is not really conducive to real, meaningful engagement. It’s either around negative circumstances, or circumstances that stretch it in such a way that you don’t have time to get to know or engage with the people you are policing in a positive way.

Canadian history is black history. We’ve been here before Canada was Canada. We’ve been here building Canada, not simply as in the slave narrative but as free people – as people critical to the development of society, the community and the country.

Because I have the opportunity, the position, the platform and the voice, it’s going to come down on me to ensure that I articulate my black history is Canadian history. Today, the issue at hand is that we have an opportunity here to engage with our young people and parts of our community in a positive setting.

Sports are a really important part of my life, and most of the other officers here, they see this as an opportunity to engage with young people; to show that we’re no different than you are. In fact, in practically all of our cases, we were young men and women playing basketball at one point in a competitive setting.”

Our interview ended on a powerful note. I enjoyed taking in a mini history lesson, and it opened my eyes to the fact that more quality interactions need to occur between the Afro-Caribbean communities here in Canada, and the men and women in blue that look just like us.

“It’s inspirational to me seeing efforts that have been put forth. It encourages me not to sit back, and to take advantage of the opportunities. I get to be a role model and pave a way for the future generations as well.”