Julian Fantino is the highest profile police officer Canada has ever produced. In a remarkable career spanning almost 40 years, he has led four police forces and continues to leave a huge imprint on law enforcement, not only in this country but right around the world. This candid and hard-hitting memoir of his life ? from his humble beginnings in Italy to his move to Canada and his eventual rise through the police ranks, from a street cop on the beat to top cop in the biggest city in the country ? recounts his experiences as a rookie fresh out of police college and his time in the drug squad, homicide, and other areas of policing. He tells about the hard realities of organized crime, especially the fight against the Mafia and outlaw motorcycle gangs, and offers insights from one who is in the trenches into the sexual exploitation of children, police corruption, terrorism, and the many failings of the justice system. He touches on issues of concern to all Canadians and delves into the pressures and politics of being a big-city chief ? at the local, national, and international level ? including battles with special-interest groups and the media.
But as Fantino describes in this refreshingly candid and hard-hitting as-told-to memoir of his life, one thing never changed: his steadfast commitment to the principles of integrity, honesty, and accountability. He recounts with passion, humour, and honesty the ups and downs ? the joys and sorrows ? of a life devoted to public service.
Always upfront and willing to tell it like it is, Fantino is just as candid about where he thinks the system has gone wrong?and what we might do to make it right.
Duty is an unflinching behind-the-headlines portrait of what it really means to be a cop.
From street beat to city hall ? the real story of a big-city, top cop.
Excerpt from Duty:
"Who has reaped the greatest benefits from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? I would argue that if it isn?t common criminals, then it must be the Hells Angels. Canada, and especially its politicians, have spent thirty years under-estimating the problem of biker gangs. Never has there been a proactive strategy on the part of the government to fight bikers. Biker gangs grew and eventually became bigger than the Mafia. Today, outlaw motorcycle gangs are by far our biggest problem with organized crime, but it took the death of a young innocent boy on the streets of Montreal to wake the country up."]]>
But as Fantino describes in this refreshingly candid and hard-hitting as-told-to memoir of his life, one thing never changed: his steadfast commitment to the principles of integrity, honesty, and accountability. He recounts with passion, humour, and honesty the ups and downs ? the joys and sorrows ? of a life devoted to public service.
Always upfront and willing to tell it like it is, Fantino is just as candid about where he thinks the system has gone wrong?and what we might do to make it right.
Duty is an unflinching behind-the-headlines portrait of what it really means to be a cop.
From street beat to city hall ? the real story of a big-city, top cop.
Excerpt from Duty:
"Who has reaped the greatest benefits from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? I would argue that if it isn?t common criminals, then it must be the Hells Angels. Canada, and especially its politicians, have spent thirty years under-estimating the problem of biker gangs. Never has there been a proactive strategy on the part of the government to fight bikers. Biker gangs grew and eventually became bigger than the Mafia. Today, outlaw motorcycle gangs are by far our biggest problem with organized crime, but it took the death of a young innocent boy on the streets of Montreal to wake the country up."]]>