Keith Merith
Senior Law Enforcement Consultant
Author of A Darker Shade of Blue
Superintendent Keith Merith (Ret) is a multi-dimensional professional whose career reflects a balanced fusion of operational leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement. With extensive law enforcement experience at the York Regional Police Service, he has served as a unit commander in Court Services, Professional Development Services, Organized Crime and Intelligence Services, and the Training and Education Bureau. A decorated judo master and former use-of-force instructor, Keith is also a recognized innovator in undercover operations and drug interdiction—skills that underscore his commitment to safe, effective policing practices.
In pursuit of academic excellence, Keith earned a Justice Studies Degree from the University of Guelph Humber, completed the Police Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto), and obtained a Law Enforcement and Security Administration Diploma from the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. A Certified Municipal Manager Level III, he also graduated from the Ontario Management Development Program with a major in Leadership Skills.
Keith’s capacity for leadership extends to the broader community. As past president of the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.), he served two terms dedicated to supporting and advancing the interests of racialized groups throughout North America’s justice and policing sectors. During his tenure, he worked alongside other agencies, including Corrections, Canadian Border Services, and the legal community, offering strategic advice to lawyers and judges, while championing outreach, support, and scholarships for post-secondary education. Further exemplifying his passion for civic engagement, Keith co-founded the Citizenship Initiative Group (CIG), which assists permanent residents in the naturalization process and facilitates citizenship ceremonies.
An esteemed author, Keith wrote the award-winning, nationally bestselling memoir A Darker Shade of Blue. His motivation stemmed from decades of firsthand experience in policing and the armed forces, inspiring him to share a candid, forward-looking perspective on leadership, resilience, and the vital role that law enforcement plays in modern society.
Today, Keith leverages his knowledge to help organizations thrive in ever-evolving environments, offering insights into operational excellence, cultural harmony, and effective community partnerships.
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Keith's Memoir
In A Darker Shade of Blue, Keith candidly recounts both harrowing and uplifting experiences, highlighting the urgent need for police reform—beginning with recruitment to ensure law enforcement reflects the communities it serves. This book delves into the reality of racism, internal police politics, day-to-day policing, social justice, and how a Black man fares in a white man’s organization. Merith offers a balanced, heartfelt call for systemic change, grounded in his unwavering belief that every citizen deserves fairness, dignity, and respect. A Darker Shade of Blue is a hard hitting, no-nonsense, transparent and entertaining read that provides useful insights to police services, educators and champions of social reform.
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