Florence Katsuko Yanagawa
Served 1962 – 1983
Florence Hyashi was born in Vancouver during the Second World War. Clearly she and her family were moved into Central Canada later in the War. After the war she found herself working as a clerk at the City Hall in Hamilton. She told Alison Hood that she saw several Policewomen coming into City Hall and she became interested. She was hired by the Hamilton Police in 1962 and there was a great deal of publicity because of her Japanese ancestry.
She was the first Asian Policewoman in North America and there were many news and magazine articles written about her. The Television show called “What’s my Line” flew her to New York where the Panel had to guess her profession. That television clip is still found on “You Tube”.
During her time with Hamilton Police, she worked firstly in the Safety Branch and later in the Juvenile Section.
1966m George Saltmarsh, Flo Yanagawa,
Ken Bohill, Charlie Fordan and John Kinnaird
1970 John Kinnaird, George Saltmarsh, George Evans,
Flo Yanagawa and Chrlie Fordan
Retirement Party
John Evans, Bob Harris, Lynda Bowen & Flo
Jessie Stoneman and Flo on her last day
Flo resigned after more than twenty years with the Service.
By Dave Bowen, Retired Inspector, Hamilton Police Service