By Lincoln DePradine

It was a tragedy – the death of Percy Cummins – that led to the formation of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) Cricket Club.

Nadine Spencer, a member of the Police Services board that oversees TPS, says she’s proud of the club’s “achievements and success’’.

“The members of the club understand the great power and appeal of cricket. They use the game to reach out to the community and as an effective tool for outreach and recruitment,’’ Spencer said last Saturday in Scarborough.

She was speaking at an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Guyana’s independence. It included the hoisting of the national flag of Guyana that was witnessed by an audience that included current and former Toronto police officers.

Guyana, a former British colony, attained independence on May 26, 1966.

“Our independence was not given to us on a silver platter; it was one of tremendous sacrifices and struggles by our forefathers and we recognize them today,’’ said Mani Singh, Honourary Consul for Guyana in Toronto.

However, last Saturday’s main feature was a 20-over cricket match between Toronto Police Cricket Club (TPCC) and a team representing the office of the Guyana Consulate.

TPCC members have used the club as a memorial to Cummins, a constable, who lost his life in the line of duty on September 23, 1981.

Barbados-born Cummins, who was married with two children, was 38. He posthumously was awarded the Toronto Police Medal of Honour.

Each year, Cummins’s memory is kept alive not only through TPCC cricket matches, but also in the name of the venue where games are played. They are hosted at the Percy Cummins Cricket Ground, where last Saturday’s TPCC/Guyana Consulate match took place.

Several speakers, including TPCC president Raj Singh and event chair, founding club member and retired TPS superintendent, Dave McLeod, made references to the raining day that delayed the start of the limited overs match.

Guyana Consulate, batting first, emerged winner of the friendly encounter.

“It just shows, as a people, how resilient we are to travel and do the work, even in the rain,’’ said Spencer, who was appointed to the TPS board in April 2023.

“Cricket is not only a great game, but it also develops some very important values and skills. In addition, it gives us an opportunity to engage young people,’’ she added.

“Through cricket, police services are forming strong partnerships and friendships – bonds that are critical to effective law enforcement and to help instill the notion of a committed, united workforce.’’

Dr Alok Mukherjee, who holds the record as the second longest-serving chair of the police board, said by people braving the weather to be at Saturday’s event, it “testifies to the spirit of cricket’’ and underscores the importance of using cricket to maintain friendship and build community.

Mukherjee, McLeod and Honourary Consul Singh, were among recipients of TPCC awards on Saturday.

The TPCC is part of the Toronto Police Amateur Athletic Association.

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter