Retired Toronto Police Inspector Hank Idsinga has confirmed that two detectives were dispatched to his residence to deliver a letter from the Professional Standards unit. This action follows his explosive comments about antisemitism and anti-Black racism during his tenure on the force.
Letter Delivery Confirmed
Idsinga, who retired in 2023, stated that the letter was first sent via email, but he did not respond. The next day, two officers delivered a hard copy. He did not perceive this as intimidation, noting that he had performed similar duties many times during his 34-year career.
"They just want to be able to say the offer was made," Idsinga remarked, acknowledging the procedural nature of the visit.
Book Sparks Controversy
The move by Toronto Police stems from the release of Idsinga's memoir, The High Road: Confessions of a Homicide Cop, and an interview with CBC's chief correspondent Adrienne Arseneault. In the interview, he recounted hearing antisemitic and racist language and suggested that officers handling such complaints may have expressed similar sentiments.
Idsinga, whose Jewish grandfather perished in the Holocaust, also appeared on AM640, where he serves as a crime analyst. He told host Greg Brady that he witnessed a "culture" problem within the Toronto Police Service.
Response from Toronto Police
Toronto Police initially declined to comment on the allegations, stating that they were "very serious claims" that Idsinga did not raise through formal channels during his service. The service has clear mechanisms for reporting concerns, including confidential and independent options, which Idsinga chose not to use. They expressed hope that he would now engage with these systems.
Idsinga has expressed a lack of confidence in that system, calling it "laughable" to think he would go through the very system he exposed.
Mixed Reactions from Former Colleagues
The story has divided current and retired officers. Former Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino criticized Idsinga, stating that as a senior officer with a fiduciary duty, he should have raised concerns internally rather than writing about them later. Fantino also expressed surprise that the CBC would "bet the farm on this guy."
Retired Staff Sergeant George Gadsdon added that if a senior member made such remarks, the responsibility fell on Idsinga to address it at the time.
However, former Homicide Detective Mark Mendelson, who was among the first Jewish recruits hired by Toronto Police, said he never experienced antisemitism in his 30 years of service. Meanwhile, former officer and crime commentator Ross McLean argued that when a heavyweight like Idsinga expresses concern, he should be listened to rather than shunned.
Idsinga's Perspective
Idsinga maintains that his book is a memoir, not a hit piece. At his book launch at Noonan's Pub on the Danforth, he told the crowd, "I am really trying to focus on the fact that it's a memoir. This is what I experienced and this is what I saw."
The book has already reached number three on Amazon's bestseller list, and there is talk of a movie adaptation.
What's Next?
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw has yet to comment publicly. Idsinga is not calling for an inquiry or laying a complaint, but the controversy has raised questions about how the service handles internal concerns.
Observers suggest that the chief could lower the temperature by engaging external groups like B'nai Brith, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and the Black Legal Action Centre to review the book and report back. If necessary, the matter could be turned over to the Inspector General of Policing or an outside body.
Ultimately, the positive outcome could be improved policing, something all sides can agree on.
