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Armand La Barge retired Monday from the York Regional Police, after 37 years with the force, the last eight as chief. BY 10E FANTAUZZ] jfantauzzi®yrmg.com Former York Regional Police chief Armand La Barge wants his legacy to be punctuated by the community partner- ships he helped build. Mr. La Barge, 56. capped 05 37 years in policing and eight as York’s top cop Monday with the swearing in of new Chief Eric lolliffe. “I had kind of gone through an exami- nation of what I had done and what I had to do and I came to the realization that a lot of what I had wanted to do has been done,” Mr. La Barge said. He’s a man deseribed by colleagues as having inspired them to be as dedicated to their job as he is. And’he admits he had some help along the way. HE considâ€"ers former York police chief Don Hillock a mentor. Partnerships La Barge’s legacy Mr. La Barge wanted to leave while he was still young enough to do other things. Not leaving too soon, but also not overstaying his welcome. He plans to continue his graduate studies next year. He already has a bachelor of arts honâ€" ours degree, a multiculturalism studies certificate from York University and a master's degree from Trent University in Canadian and native studies. “It's a good time for a new chief to start," he said. He said he will miss the job, his polic- ing colleagues and the community, but knows there is life beyond policing. He has visited Jamaica. Morocco, South Korea and Poland, where he took part in aid work and plans to continue doing more. “l’}n very passionate about that. I find it richly fulfilling." And, while he is not considering run- ning for elected ofiice now, he is “fasci- nated” by national politics. “If an appointment came up, I would seriously consider it, if I thought it was something I could assist with making this a better country or a better world," he said. York police has raised its publi'c pro- file, Mr. La Barge said. A greater empha- sis has been placed on police visibility in the community as a result of the force and the police board working together. he said. Policing in such a diverse commu- nity has been an opportunity, he said, adding it’s important for officers to gain an understanding of the region’s various cultures. Meeting the expectations of the pub- lic can also prove challenging, he noted. See FOR“ page 104 STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT me immediately to ensure my family felt safe. He assigned a car to watch my home during the crisis. Late one evening, I heard a loud rap on my door. It was cold and rainy. Standing there was Armand La Barge. ' y years ago, when Armand was head of intelligence and security, I came under threat by a neo-NaziAorganization. rr_1e_t “Bernie,” he said, “I was in the neighbourhood so I decided to do a check on how you’re doing. 'IWo things: One, never open the door to anyone before checking who it is. 'IWo, you forgot to lock your back door. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not fol- low where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Thank you Chief La Barge - Armand â€" f0r the trail you have forged, for your passion and your commitment to policing and to community and for the respect that you have shown, through words and deeds, tog) / eople you serve and to the people you lead. 1% fi Feb. 6, 2002, less than two months after Chief La Barge was sworn in, the York Regional Police, in partnership with the Markham African Caribbean Association, hosted its first citizen- ship court in York Region. At this event. 100 new Canadians were welcomed to Canada. This was an impressive start. It shed light on what we believed to be the chief ’5 core values and it paved the way for his distinguished tenure as chief of police in York Region. The diversity in our police force is a true representation of York Region. Children from all cultural groups have role models in the York Regional Police force whom they can emulate. “Chief La Barge is an individual with tremen- dous skills, cultural sensitivity and a prime architect and supporter for cultural diversity not only in _ s gstitution but across the region and beyond. <1; fiave worked for and with Armand over the last almost 29 years and I have come to know him as a true professional who has always been guided by what is right. _ I have travelled with him to Jamaica, to our adopted orphanage, on a couple of occasions and got to know him on a personal level as an individual who truly cares about others and their well-being. His personal integrity has resulted in an orga- nization whose members strive to serve with the same dedication. l have come to know him as a visionary and mentor, sincere and compassionate in his perse- verance as a champion for diversity and inclusion, an ardent defender of social justice and human rights, a dynamic police leader and, above true humanitarian in every sense of the word a Memories of a chief Pat Howell, vice-president Markham Afi'ican Caribbean Association Chief Eric lollijfe, York Regional Police Bernie Farber, CEO Canadian Iewish Congress, social activist.