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: