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."

JULIAN FANTINO was chief of police for Toronto from 2000 to 2005. Previously, he served as chief in London, Ontario, and in York Region. He left policing to become Ontario’s commissioner of Emergency Management, and in 2006 returned to the fold as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. Born in Italy, he moved to Canada with his parents when he was eleven. He began his career as a police officer in Toronto in 1969. In a distinguished law-enforcement career, he has earned many awards and honours, including: Award of Appreciation from the Jane-Finch Multicultural Association and the Jane-Finch Fights Back Committee; the Order of Merit from the National Congress of Italian Canadians; the Award of Excellence from the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada; the City of Vaughan Community Relations Award; the Canada 125th Commemorative Medal Commander of the Order of Merit to the Republic of Italy; the Order of St. John; the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal; the Police 30-Year Exemplary Service Medal and Bar; the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award; inductee into the Ontario Special Olympics Hall of Fame; Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces; the Order of Ontario; and the Beth Sholom Humanitarian Award. Julian Fantino is currently commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.

JERRY AMERNIC started his career as a newpaper reporter. He has been a magazine feature writer, an editor, and a public relations consultant, specializing in media. His first novel, Gift of the Bambino, was hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "the perfect gift for a young baseball fan...the story he tells about a young boy`s bond with his colorful grandfather is touching without being maudlin." He lives with his wife and family in Toronto, Ontario.]]>

Julian Fantino's profile page

JULIAN FANTINO was chief of police for Toronto from 2000 to 2005. Previously, he served as chief in London, Ontario, and in York Region. He left policing to become Ontario’s commissioner of Emergency Management, and in 2006 returned to the fold as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. Born in Italy, he moved to Canada with his parents when he was eleven. He began his career as a police officer in Toronto in 1969. In a distinguished law-enforcement career, he has earned many awards and honours, including: Award of Appreciation from the Jane-Finch Multicultural Association and the Jane-Finch Fights Back Committee; the Order of Merit from the National Congress of Italian Canadians; the Award of Excellence from the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada; the City of Vaughan Community Relations Award; the Canada 125th Commemorative Medal Commander of the Order of Merit to the Republic of Italy; the Order of St. John; the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal; the Police 30-Year Exemplary Service Medal and Bar; the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award; inductee into the Ontario Special Olympics Hall of Fame; Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces; the Order of Ontario; and the Beth Sholom Humanitarian Award. Julian Fantino is currently commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.

JERRY AMERNIC started his career as a newpaper reporter. He has been a magazine feature writer, an editor, and a public relations consultant, specializing in media. His first novel, Gift of the Bambino, was hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "the perfect gift for a young baseball fan...the story he tells about a young boy's bond with his colorful grandfather is touching without being maudlin." He lives with his wife and family in Toronto, Ontario.

Jerry Amernic's profile page