Family, police and community mourn sudden death of Peel Const. Bancroft Wright

Family, Peel Police and the broader community in Brampton and Mississauga are mourning the loss of a man described as a local icon.

Const. Bancroft Wright died Friday, Dec. 11, passing suddenly in his home due to a medical episode, a release from Peel Police said.

Courtney Wright, one of Bancroft’s four daughters, said her father was “the perfect depiction of a girl dad.”

“From just his stature alone people would be intimidated but he was a friendly giant and he was stubborn and stern but would do anything for us,” she said in a statement to The Mississauga News.

Wright, 54, was a Peel officer for nearly 20 years. For the last four, he worked in the police service’s communications unit where he provided public updates and media interviews, appearing frequently in news coverage of Brampton and Mississauga.

“It’s a really hard time for the family but he always taught us to be strong and tough, so we are trying to hang in there, and we’re all together, which is comforting,” Courtney Wright said.

Tributes and condolences poured in for Bancroft Wright and his family following his death.

Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said Wright “represented policing so well.”

“An iconic man that was committed to his family and to the community,” he said on Twitter. “This loss is felt by so many of us here at (Peel Police), especially so by his teammates in our public and media relations and creative services team.”

Const. Akhil Mooken said Wright was “one of a kind.”

“Hearing about the loss of a teammate absolutely floored me,” he said on Twitter. “So many emotions have been experienced and I still can’t believe it’s true.”

Several news reporters also shared their condolences and thoughts on Wright.

“He was always friendly, helpful, patient and, when appropriate, he was fun,” said News Talk 1010 reporter Hayley Cooper.

CP24 reporter Brandon Gonez said it was “heartbreaking” to learn of Wright passing.

“Const. Bancroft Wright was always such a pleasure to work with. He was kind, funny (and) had such an iconic voice,” he said on Twitter.

Courtney Wright said her father went to school for radio broadcasting prior to becoming a police officer. She said being a police officer was a childhood dream for her father.

“He was passionate about anything and everything he set his mind on,” she said.

Flags at Peel Police stations will be at half-mast to honour Bancroft Wright, the Dec. 12 release said.

The City of Mississauga also announced that flags at the Civic Centre would be at half-mast in memory of the Peel constable.