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Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ontario police associations launch recruiting campaign amid staffing shortage
Several police associations in Ontario are launching a joint campaign to recruit more officers amid staffing shortages across the province. The campaign, known as Answer the Call, will support over 50 police services in Ontario and is backed by the provincial government, according to a news release Monday. "Police services across Ontario are under real pressure to fill critical roles, and boards see that strain every day," said Lisa Darling, executive director of the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards, which is part of the initiative. She called the campaign a "practical response to a growing challenge" in a statement in Monday's news release. Other associations leading the initiative are the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Association of Ontario, Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario, Ontario Provincial Police Association and Toronto Police Association. Police staffing shortages are impacting public safety, response times and officer well-being, Monday's news release said. The initiative aims to address these shortages but is also focused on "modernizing recruitment and opening the door to a more diverse pool of candidates," the release said. Ontario has made several changes to police training and recruitment in recent years — including scrapping a post-secondary education requirement and covering the costs of mandatory training. The province expanded the Ontario Police College in October to make room for 80 more cadets annually. The newly opened training spots, which are expected this year, will be reserved for small, medium and First Nation police services, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said at the time. Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Services Board approved a new five-year hiring plan in November, which would guarantee the force the maximum number of police officers that can be hired in 2025 and 2026. Toronto has a ratio of officers in the low 160s per 100,000 people, Chief Myron Demkiw said at the time. But more police does not necessarily mean greater safety, said Timothy Bryan, a sociology professor at the University of Toronto. Major cities in North America have high ratios of police officers to their population, but continue to have high rates of crime, he said. "Police services themselves will not guarantee an X per cent decline in crime if we have an X per cent increase in officers, because they know that that's not how it works," Bryan said. "These things are not quite linked in the way that they're being presented." He said it is important to consider issues that impact public safety and crime other than the number of police officers, such as poverty and other socioeconomic factors. "Once we dislodge the police from the centre of the conversations that we have on public safety, [we can] actually reimagine how to do public safety in ways that might be … more effective and more efficient for the residents of this province," he said.
Business Wire
07-07-2025
- Business Wire
Ontario Police Leaders Launch Answer the Call Campaign to Recruit the Next Generation of Officers
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Ontario's police leadership has announced the launch of Answer the Call, a provincewide marketing campaign to recruit the next generation of police officers. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), Ontario Association of Police Service Boards (OAPSB), Police Association of Ontario (PAO), Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO), Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA), and Toronto Police Association (TPA), have come together to build the future of policing in Ontario. The campaign is also supported and backed by the Government of Ontario. The campaign will support over 50 police services and the communities they serve. 'This is a critical time for policing in Ontario. Communities are evolving, expectations are changing, and so are the demands placed on our police officers,' said Deputy Chief of Halton Regional Police Service, and Past President of the OACP, Roger Wilkie. 'We need to build police services that are trusted, effective, and reflective of the people they serve, and it starts with how we recruit. Answer the Call is about rethinking that process, not just to fill open positions but to shape the future of the profession.' Police organizations across the province are facing staffing shortages, which are impacting public safety, response times, and officer well-being. While addressing these shortages is critical, this initiative is equally focused on modernizing recruitment and opening the door to a more diverse pool of candidates, offering: Honest insights into the daily realities of a career in policing. Transparency about training, expectations and the application process. Tools to help candidates find their fit with the right police service. Police services across Ontario are actively hiring. Learn more about a career in policing by visiting Quick Facts Answer the Call is a joint initiative led by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), Ontario Association of Police Service Boards (OAPSB), Police Association of Ontario (PAO), Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO), Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA), and Toronto Police Association (TPA). The campaign addresses growing staffing shortages and aims to modernize how police services attract and engage new recruits. The campaign includes a new digital platform featuring resources and tools to help candidates explore a career in policing. Quotes 'Future-proofing our police services starts with recruiting the right people – individuals who are ready to meet the moment and protect Ontario with professionalism, courage and compassion. That's why our government is proud to provide funding for Answer the Call – a groundbreaking campaign that will inspire the next generation to step forward, serve with pride, and build a safer, stronger Ontario for all who call our province home.' — Hon. Michael S. Kerzner, Solicitor General, Government of Ontario 'Police services across Ontario are under real pressure to fill critical roles, and boards see that strain every day. Answer the Call is a coordinated effort to reach the right candidates with clear, accessible information about what a policing career involves. It's a practical response to a growing challenge, and we're proud to support an initiative that puts people and public safety first.' — Lisa Darling, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Police Service Boards (OAPSB) 'Our members are doing more with less, and it's taking a toll. We are looking for people who are ready to join the profession and committed to supporting their communities. Answer the Call gives individuals a glimpse into what policing actually entails and helps them understand the role they would play and the reward that comes with it.' — Mark Baxter, President, Police Association of Ontario (PAO) 'First Nations police services are rooted in the Seven Grandfather teachings and Great Law of Peace. Recruiting the next generation means reaching people who understand our communities and are ready to serve with respect and accountability. This campaign gives us the opportunity to share our perspective and ensure First Nations voices are reflected in the future of policing in Ontario.' — Darren Montour, Six Nations Chief of Police and President of Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO) 'This work takes more than training and uniforms. It requires resilience, sound judgement, and a strong sense of purpose. We're proud to support a campaign that gives potential recruits a realistic view of the role and connects them with the support they'll need to succeed.' — David Sabatini, VP, Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) 'Our members are working under pressure every day. Finding the right people to join the profession is crucial to not only ease the strain on the frontline, but to ensure communities continue to receive the level of service they expect. This campaign helps us reach individuals who are ready for that responsibility.' — Clayton Campbell, President, Toronto Police Association (TPA)
