JULIAN FANTINO was chief of police for Toronto from 2000 to 2005. Previously, he served as chief in London, Ontario, and in York Region. He left policing to become Ontario’s commissioner of Emergency Management, and in 2006 returned to the fold as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. Born in Italy, he moved to Canada with his parents when he was eleven. He began his career as a police officer in Toronto in 1969. In a distinguished law-enforcement career, he has earned many awards and honours, including: Award of Appreciation from the Jane-Finch Multicultural Association and the Jane-Finch Fights Back Committee; the Order of Merit from the National Congress of Italian Canadians; the Award of Excellence from the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada; the City of Vaughan Community Relations Award; the Canada 125th Commemorative Medal Commander of the Order of Merit to the Republic of Italy; the Order of St. John; the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal; the Police 30-Year Exemplary Service Medal and Bar; the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award; inductee into the Ontario Special Olympics Hall of Fame; Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces; the Order of Ontario; and the Beth Sholom Humanitarian Award. Julian Fantino is currently commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.

JERRY AMERNIC started his career as a newpaper reporter. He has been a magazine feature writer, an editor, and a public relations consultant, specializing in media. His first novel, Gift of the Bambino, was hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "the perfect gift for a young baseball fan...the story he tells about a young boy's bond with his colorful grandfather is touching without being maudlin." He lives with his wife and family in Toronto, Ontario.