PHOTOS: Hungarian cop protects 40-50 thousand locals in Toronto!

Balázs Zanati was born in Keszthely but serves in Toronto, where he is responsible for the safety and security of at least 40-50 thousand locals. He is a friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger and talked about his job and how former colleagues welcomed him home to a Hungarian tabloid.

Hungarian cop in Toronto

Mr Zanati is a member of the Canada Toronto Police Service and serves as a neighbourhood officer in the 14th division. The father of three kids told Blikk that he does not have a red uniform or a hat and never sits on the back of a horse. He said building a community and creating relationships with the people is part of their job as neighbourhood officers.

Toronto has 16 police districts, and each district has divisions. He said he regularly had to deal with drug traders, users and armed bands fighting even each other. The neighbourhood officer institution enables people to meet the same cops each day, lowering anxiety.

“We stop to chat with them and see what is going on in the shops, markets, restaurants. A strong trust relationship can be developed, so they will turn to us when something goes wrong. I can give my official number to anybody, so people feel as if they have their own officer at hand”, Zanati added.

Toronto struggles with drugs, theft, armed bands

He said problems were different in Canada than in Hungary. In Toronto, he struggles with drug consumption and trade, armed groups and car thefts.

Meeting with colleagues from Zugló:

He said he saw things he would never forget. For example, once he arrived first at a murder scene and tried to revitalise the victim unsuccessfully. Another time, doctors cut a leg in front of him and gave it to him to place the limb in a cold store because it may serve as evidence later.

Bulletproof vests and GPS body cameras are part of their equipment there. Therefore, he can check out the areas he already monitored. Furthermore, the cameras affect people’s behaviour since the records can serve as evidence in a court trial. Civilians regularly call them “Sir” and people respect their work.

At Lake Balaton with his kids:

Photo: FB/Balázs Zanati

He was a military officer before

Zanati served as a military officer in Hungary, then left the country for Toronto in 2005, seeking adventure. When the global financial crisis hit the country in 2008, he worked in a car dealership, which closed. His friends from the gym recommended him to the local police.

Photo: FB/Balázs Zanati

He succeeded in the application process at first attempt. Good communication and problem-solving skills, life experience and even his Hungarian language knowledge were essential. A Hungarian community of 50 thousand people live in and around Toronto. There are 8,000 police officers, but only 3 or 4 speak Hungarian.

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