Sgt. Lonsdale ‘Lonny’ Blackett (retired) made history as the first Black officer to join Peel Regional Police back in 1974. (Photos: Peel Regional Police)<\/p>\n
An upcoming street dedication and ceremony will honour retired Sgt. Sgt. Lonsdale \u201cLonny\u201d Blackett, who made history and had a storied career as first Black police officer in Brampton and Mississauga.<\/p>\n
Blackett was just one of two Black recruits in the first-ever class of Peel Regional Police officers in 1974, and was the only one of the pair to make it through training. In his 33-year career he faced racism both on and off the force, working first in Brampton\u2019s 21 Division before going on to help enlist other minority officers as a recruiter.<\/p>\n
He also helped found the PRP Airport Division, where he assisted with the rescue of Air France Flight 358 that crashed at Pearson International Airport in 2005<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe back end of the aircraft was burning \u2013 this was a plane on fire,\u201d Blackett said in a 2024 interview with INsauga.com, recalling how he and another officer ran onto the burning aircraft to evacuate the crew and anyone who may have still been on board.<\/p>\n After checking the plane, Blackett says the officers saw more smoke coming from the rear and ran from the plane, which exploded shortly after. All of the flight\u2019s 309 passengers and crew survived the crash, and Blackett would receive a commendation for his efforts on the scene.<\/p>\n