As a beat cop patrolling Toronto in the mid-1960s, David Arbuckle knew a thing or two about crime and recidivism. Like many of his colleagues in uniform, he had issues with the correctional system of the day. Instead of complaining, he decided he’d effect change outside of policing. Ten days after submitting his resignation to the Chief of Police, the former intelligence bureau officer assumed the leadership role at the John Howard Society of Metropolitan Toronto. From here, Arbuckle would eventually become the Executive Director of Operation Springboard, expanding the organization’s mandate from its original grassroots founding.
Born in 1940 in Ottawa, the middle child of three, David Arbuckle and his first wife, Marjorie, moved into a Dixon Road apartment in west-end Toronto in 1964, when he joined the police force as a twenty-four-year-old rookie. The couple would raise two children before divorcing. Reached by telephone at his Cobourg-area home, he explained he chose this career path because he considered policing “a helping profession, and I felt like I could make a contribution.”
Assigned to No. 52 police station on College Street, PC Arbuckle quickly earned a reputation for his even-handedness in dealings with the public. Early on, he incorporated a brain-over-brawn approach and avoided physical confrontation whenever possible. His non-confrontational technique continued after being reassigned to No. 55 police station in the east end of Toronto. Higher-ups took notice of his method, promoting Arbuckle to the intelligence bureau. He investigated extortion, organized crime, and other serious offences in this new role.
Wishing to better understand delinquency, in the early 1970s, Arbuckle enrolled in night courses at the University of Toronto, studying criminology. During this time, he learned, “We were dealing with offenders who badly needed resources, including life skills and practical things, like housing.”
After a decade of policing, during which he received several commendations, Arbuckle retired at the end of 1974 to become Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Metropolitan Toronto. Briefly, John Howard was an eighteenth-century English prison reformer. The origin of the John Howard Society dates back to ecclesiastical groups interested in the spiritual welfare of prisoners in Canada. The establishment of the Prisoners Aid Association of Toronto in 1874 led to the founding of the Citizens Service Association in 1929. Two years later, the John Howard Society was founded in British Columbia to aid prisoners and ex-convicts in rehabilitation and reintegration. In 1946, the Toronto-based Citizens Service Association was renamed the John Howard Society of Ontario. By 1986, sixteen branches were operating in Ontario.
In his new leadership position at the John Howard Society of Toronto, David Arbuckle focused on improving rehabilitation methods and providing living facilities for convicts transitioning back into the community. Volunteers played a significant role in the organization’s daily operations.
Arbuckle hit the ground running in his new role as Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Toronto, with offices located in a nineteenth-century historical residence at 168 Isabella Street. In February 1975, he oversaw the establishment of Gerrard House, a halfway house adjacent to the Don Jail in the former two-storey brick dwelling of the jail superintendent. The house, a community residential centre, provided housing for provincial offenders who were completing temporary absence programs.
Gerrard House checked all the boxes in Arbuckle’s approach to “building a one-stop shopping centre for people who had been in trouble with the law.” While completing their sentences in the community, the 15 residents worked or attended school. The goal was to reduce recidivism and facilitate the reintegration of offenders into society. The facility, partnered with Ontario’s Ministry of Correctional Services, included five counsellors on staff and a cook who prepared one meal daily. Inmates paid $42 a week to reside at Gerrard House and were responsible for additional meals and maintaining their rooms and common areas.
Gerrard House integrated itself into the surrounding community, hosting social events for area residents, including Christmas parties for local youngsters, which were organized and funded by the offenders. In the following years, Arbuckle would oversee the establishment of additional community residential centres, including Glen Thompson House on Leslie Street in Leslieville and Frank Drea House on Indian Road in Parkdale.
In some instances, the establishment of community residential centres came with conflict. Often, Arbuckle faced intense resistance from area homeowners. Some threats of violence, including bombings and arson, were severe enough to warrant police protection of properties. Again, Arbuckle’s even-handed approach to resolving conflict led to resolution, and the residents thrived.
Among other accomplishments, the agency set up a 24-hour crisis hotline staffed entirely by volunteers. The Alternatives Phoneline provided counselling, advice, housing suggestions, and other critical information for people in crisis.
As a beat cop patrolling Toronto in the mid-1960s, David Arbuckle knew a thing or two about crime and recidivism. Like many of his colleagues in uniform, he had issues with the correctional system of the day. Instead of complaining, he decided he’d effect change outside of policing. Ten days after submitting his resignation to the Chief of Police, the former intelligence bureau officer assumed the leadership role at the John Howard Society of Metropolitan Toronto. From here, Arbuckle would eventually become the Executive Director of Operation Springboard, expanding the organization’s mandate from its original grassroots founding.
Born in 1940 in Ottawa, the middle child of three, David Arbuckle and his first wife, Marjorie, moved into a Dixon Road apartment in west-end Toronto in 1964, when he joined the police force as a twenty-four-year-old rookie. The couple would raise two children before divorcing. Reached by telephone at his Cobourg-area home, he explained he chose this career path because he considered policing “a helping profession, and I felt like I could make a contribution.”
Assigned to No. 52 police station on College Street, PC Arbuckle quickly earned a reputation for his even-handedness in dealings with the public. Early on, he incorporated a brain-over-brawn approach and avoided physical confrontation whenever possible. His non-confrontational technique continued after being reassigned to No. 55 police station in the east end of Toronto. Higher-ups took notice of his method, promoting Arbuckle to the intelligence bureau. He investigated extortion, organized crime, and other serious offences in this new role.
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