By Liz Thorne

Wednesday August 29th, 2012

Posted at 11:30am

This Friday at 11am, Windsor Police invite the public to join with them to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the hiring of Windsor’s first black police officer and later Canada’s first black police detective, Alton C. Parker

Constable Parker was hired under Chief Constable C. Renaud on September 1st 1942 weeks after the devastating Dieppe Raid. Windsor’s Essex Scottish Regiment on August 19th, 1942 landed 551 men on the beach at Dieppe.

Chief Constable Renaud hired Constable Parker, even thought in 1942, blacks in positions of authority were rare and gave him the opportunity to prove himself. Being the first and only black constable, he met some resistance. Constable Parker was dedicated to his duty and his community, and eventually he was accepted by members of the service.

On July 28th 1951 Constable Parker was appointed to the rank of Detective under Chief Constable C. Farrow. Detective Parker became Canada’s first black detective. He was confirmed as a Detective on January 1st 1953. Detective Parker served with the Windsor Police for 28 years.

In the summer of 1969 Detective Parker and his wife Evelyn began to host Uncle Al’s Kids’ Party at Broadhead Park. Uncle Al’s Annual Kids’ Party was a summer highlight. The annual event at Broadhead Park drew 100’s of jubilant children and their families.

In 1976 Broadhead Park was renamed Alton C. Parker Park (located in the 400 block of Broadhead Street) and was dedicated in memory of Detective Parker and his service to the Community.