Tony's (Brief) Career in Policing

From Rob Rothwell, Vancouver BC:

I first met Tony in 1996 when I was a cop. And you'd be correct if you assumed the encounter was motoring related, though not in the manner that likely raced to mind.

At the time, I was the VPD sergeant in-charge of the downtown bike patrol unit. In response to the 1994 Stanley Cup riot, which took place largely on Robson Street in downtown Vancouver, the VPD initiated a zero-tolerance policing campaign on Robson Street during busy summer evenings. I was tasked by the VPD with managing the campaign, and wanted to reassure downtown residents that we'd be out in force to keep a lid on the nightly Robson Street chaos.

In addition to his automotive journalism endeavours, Tony was the editor of the West End Times newspaper. I reached out to him with a request to publish an article highlighting the Robson Street policing campaign, which he did. Thus began a segment of my life, which I still pinch myself to believe, and which could never have existed without Tony's support and mentorship.

After sharing with Tony my desire to pursue automotive journalism, he connected me with Richard Jacobsen of Honda Canada. Discussions with Richard led to the adoption by the VPD of an anti-street-racing program sponsored by Honda, known as 'PACER' (Police and Community Educating Racers). The VPD/Honda partnership also procured 19 Honda Civic Si hatchbacks donated by Honda Canada to the VPD's School Liaison Program.

More importantly, Tony’s affirmation and backing put wheels beneath my ensuing career in automotive journalism, for which I owe Tony an inexhaustible debt of gratitude. Tony’s kindness, sincerity, and willingness to champion the needs of others are the hallmarks of a noble gentleman, and a ‘prince of a man.’ Sadly, the world has become a little less dignified with his departure.

As a side note: If not a world-class journalist, I have no doubt that Tony would’ve made an outstanding police officer. How do I know? Before retiring, I had the pleasure of Tony’s company during a shift in a patrol car. Insightful and compassionate Tony was as we attended a variety of calls, including a sudden death. Most remarkable was his performance during a hostage-taking. Okay, not a real hostage-taking, but a stress-filled scenario that played out in the VPD’s new (at the time) interactive shooting simulator.

The VPD’s use-of-force instructor put Tony through a realistic ‘shoot - don’t shoot’ scenario involving a suspect holding a woman hostage on a city bus. With a gun to her head and several passengers in the line of fire, Tony’s decision-making had to be rapid and effective after verbal commands had failed. And boy, was it ever. As the hostage slumped downward and a clear path opened up, Tony immediately started firing, putting the hostage-taker down and saving the damsel. A textbook rescue!

Rest in Peace honorary Constable Whitney.