Today, the Police Association of Ontario (PAO) has launched its sixth annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards program, encouraging Ontarians to nominate police personnel in their communities who have gone above and beyond the call of the duty.
Until March 15, members of the public can nominate their local police heroes for one of three awards:
On-Duty Difference Maker – Uniform/Sworn Police Officer (Officer(s) who has gone above and beyond the expectations of the job while on-duty)
On-Duty Difference Maker – Civilian Police Service Employee (Civilian police service employee(s) who has gone above and beyond the expectations of the job while on-duty)
Community Role Model (Police officer(s) or civilian police service employee(s) who has made a difference in their community while off-duty)
As a reminder, Civilian Police Service Employees include 9-1-1 dispatchers and communications personnel, court services personnel, forensics identification personnel, victim services units, special constables, and many other important roles within a police service.
“Every single day, Ontario’s police officers and civilian police service employees put their personal health and well-being on the line to ensure the safety of others, and go above and beyond the expectations of their roles to make significant contributions to protect their communities,” said PAO President, Bruce Chapman.
“This has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whenever our members begin a shift, neither they nor their loved ones can predict what adverse and potentially life-altering interactions may arise or how those situations may impact them,” he continued. “I regularly hear stories from the PAO’s 47 member associations across Ontario about serious and potentially negative situations our local police officers and civilian personnel have faced that were successfully resolved because of their actions – often just regarded as a normal day ‘at the office’ – so the PAO is honoured to help the public acknowledge the efforts of our police personnel,” said Chapman.
Ontarians are encouraged to submit their nominations online by clicking here.
Award winners will be formally announced during the PAO’s virtual Annual General Meeting in June.
Ontario's police officers and civilian police service personnel go above and beyond every single day to keep your community safe. Who is your local #PoliceHero? Nominate them now at https://t.co/mheMhPjN1x! #PoliceHero https://t.co/2KaC2FjUSZ pic.twitter.com/bT0Wx58wtz
— CNWNews (@CNWNews) February 2, 2021