Alton C. Parker
Alton C. Parker was a trailblazing figure in Canadian history, born in Windsor in 1907. Despite the racial discrimination prevalent during his youth, which limited employment opportunities for Black individuals, Parker pursued a career in public service. In 1942, he made history by becoming the first Black constable in the Windsor police force and later the first Black detective in Canada in 1951. Throughout his career, Parker was known for his strong work ethic, compassion for the community, and advocacy for social welfare programs, including support for affordable housing for disabled individuals.
His dedication extended beyond his professional duties; Parker and his wife, Evelyn, hosted annual parties for underprivileged children, which grew significantly over the years. He received numerous accolades, including the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and recognition as a Person of the Year by the North American Black Historical Museum. After his passing in 1989, Parker was honored with the renaming of Broadhead Park to Alton C. Parker Park, a statue in his likeness, and continued remembrance by the community, reflecting the profound impact he had on Windsor and beyond.
Alton C. Parker
Police detective
- Born: July 3, 1907
- Birthplace: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Died: February 28, 1989
- Place of death: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Significance: Alton C. Parker, who served on the police force of Windsor, Ontario, for twenty-eight years, was Canada’s first black police detective.
Background
Alton C. Parker was born in 1907 to Ida and Crawford Parker in the Canadian city of Windsor, where he would spend his entire life. Parker had early aspirations to public service, but due to the racial tensions in Canada and elsewhere at the time, the only employment he could find was as a mechanic at a used car lot. This type of employment was common for minorities in Windsor, since the city is situated directly across a river from Detroit, the automobile manufacturing center of the United States. At this time, Parker faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles, as black men and women in Windsor could not get a table at most restaurants and bars, were not allowed on golf courses or beaches, and could not even rent apartments.
Police Career
In 1942, at the age of thirty-five, Parker applied to be a constable in the Windsor police force, and to his amazement they accepted him. He then spent the next few years building a reputation of having a professional attitude and a strong work ethic. When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball in 1947, calls for racial integration and equal opportunity sharply rose, and in July 1951 Parker was promoted to detective, becoming the first black detective in Canadian history.
During his time as detective, Parker displayed an uncommon passion for the community that he served, as well as compassion for those he arrested. It was said that he visited a man that he had arrested in his home to determine whether or not the arrested man had a competent lawyer. Parker was instrumental in championing social welfare programs in Canada such as providing affordable apartments for physically disabled individuals. He also served on the local board of directors for Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost goods for impoverished people. Each year for twenty-two years, Parker and his wife, Evelyn, hosted and paid for a party for underprivileged children in Windsor’s Broadhead Park. The first party, in 1966, had twelve guests, who were served lemonade, cookies, and sandwiches; by the time of Parker’s death, the annual celebrations had grown to include go-karts and parades for more than eight hundred guests.
Parker was the recipient of many awards during his time as a detective. In 1976, he was awarded the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and was named a representative of the Order of Canada. Broadhead Park was officially renamed Alton C. Parker Park in his honor that year as well. A year later, he was awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee medal. He also received an honorary law degree from the University of Windsor in 1987. In 1988, as his career was winding down, he was named Person of the Year by the North American Black Historical Museum.
Impact
Parker passed away on February 28, 1989, at the age of eighty-one. He was so well known and beloved in the Windsor community that the local church where his funeral was held could not accommodate all his mourners; attendees spilled over into other nearby churches, where the service was broadcast through speakers. Soon after, a statue was constructed and placed in the park named after him, depicting him in his uniform holding the hand of a young child. The seventieth anniversary of his hiring, in 2012, was commemorated with a celebration at the park in which his daughter received a key to the city.
Personal Life
Parker and his wife, Evelyn, had a daughter, Freida Parker-Steele. His granddaughter Diane Steele also became a police officer.
Bibliography
Black History Month. Windsor: Windsor Police Service, n.d. Digital file.
Colling, Herb. Turning Points: The Detroit Riot of 1967: A Canadian Perspective. Toronto: Natural Heritage, 2003. Print.
Gervais, Marty. Ghost Road: And Other Forgotten Stories of Windsor. Windsor: Biblioasis, 2012. Print.
Gould, Kevin. "Black History in Canada: A Timeline." CTV News Montreal. Bell Media, 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 9 Aug. 2016.
Wilhelm, Trevor. "Windsor’s First Black Police Officer Honoured." Windsor Star. Postmedia Network, 31 Aug. 2012. Web. 9 Aug. 2016.