TORONTO - After waiting for more than 20 years to see them back together, last night marked the third time in less than six months The Police played Toronto's Air Canada Centre.

And while there were a few moments during the trio's nearly two-hour set where one asked if reuniting was such a good idea, the majority of the evening left no question it was the right decision.

Whether it was Sting's strong, powerful vocals that have yet to fail him, drummer Stewart Copeland's meticulous and precise performance or guitarist Andy Summers' adept solos, The Police often seemed to sound timeless, beginning with the opening Message In a Bottle from 1979's Reggatta de Blanc album.

After quickly introducing Summers and Copeland, the latter wearing a T-shirt featuring the Ghost In the Machine digital cover art, the group kicked into Synchroncity II as splashes of blue, yellow and red appeared on three video screens overhead.

"I want this to be the best night," Sting said when mentioning the four nights the band were in town. And for the most part, the near-capacity crowd didn't disappoint, singing along loudly to the reggae-tinged Walking On the Moon. Here Sting, who did a little curtesy to those seated behind the stage, kept to the core of the song, rarely resorting to the jazzy, lounge-like renditions of The Police tunes in recent solo tours.

Perhaps the first highlight and surprise was how well the melding of Voices In My Head with When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best Of What's Still... came off. It was also during the tune where the chemistry between all three was clearly displayed, with Sting playfully striking the cymbals at Copeland's drumkit.

Yet the first clunker quickly ensued when Don't Stand So Close to Me was dusted off. Although the verses were almost spot on, the punchy chorus seemed to be lacking. Nonetheless, it didn't seem to get the crowd's knickers in a knot.

The trio, one of the last stubborn holdouts to join forces for a reunion tour, have come a long way since their humorous and rather ragged tour launch set at the Whiskey A Go Go earlier this year. At that time, Copeland was yelling chord changes to his cohorts. But on this night it sounded like a well-oiled machine for Driven to Tears, the up-tempo Truth Hurts Everybody and the crowd pleasing Every Little Thing She Does is Magic which had all dancing.

The second half definitely had more memorable moments, whether it was the soothing Wrapped Around Your Finger that had Copeland standing and hitting chimes, cymbals and a large gong behind him or the toe-tapping De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da that evoked another loud sing-along.

Probably the oddest moments came during Walking In Your Footsteps which opened with Sting blowing into a tiny pan flute that even Zamfir would refuse to use. Also, images of dinosaur skeletons were superimposed on the screens, perhaps a subtle knock at other bands long in the tooth who cashed in on farewell tours the last decade.

The concert's homestretch was certainly nothing to sneeze at, beginning with the perky Can't Stand Losing You and the show-stopping Roxanne that has lost none of its verve or intensity.

The Police returned for a brief encore highlighted by So Lonely and Every Breath You Take, driving home the point they while they are definitely cashing in, they're earning their keep.