James Bamford

COMMUNITY

Retired police superintendent James Bamford is a man whose tireless work of blending community activism and policing earned him the moniker ‘The Unofficial Mayor of Scarborough’. A member of the Toronto Police Service since 1967, Bamford rose steadily through the ranks of the police force working in various parts of the city. From beat officer, to plainclothes investigator, to sergeant and finally, earning the rank of superintendent. The final title found Bamford not only living in Scarborough, but working in the city as well, as he took over command of 42 Division, the largest and busiest division with the police service. He helped create the Community Police Liaison Committee and Chinese Liaison Committee to continue partnerships between police and community. It was at this time that Scarborough was marred by escalating youth gang violence. Bamford took exception to the stigma being attached to his city and continued to defend Scarborough as a wonderful place to live, work and enjoy life. His community efforts honoured him with the Governor General’s medal for community work. A few years before his retirement in 2004, Supt. Bamford pushed ahead with a third police station in Scarborough. With the help and support of the community and local politicians, 43 Division is open and fully operational.