Police Services Heroes

Every day, Ontarians rely on their local police officers, 9-1-1 dispatchers and other police service personnel to keep their families and communities safe.

The Police Association of Ontario is proud to facilitate the annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards program, which provides the public with an opportunity to nominate and recognize their hero for the work they do on behalf of Ontarians. This nomination can be related to a specific event whereby a Police Officer or a Civilian Police Services Employee went above and beyond the call of duty, or it can be in recognition for their ongoing support and involvement within their respective community. 

From February 6 – March 20, members of the public can nominate their local police heroes for one of three awards at PoliceHero.ca.

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.

Last year, the awards program garnered almost 400 nominations from Ontarians. The stories of last year’s Police Services Hero of the Year award winners represent some of the finest individuals and teams that have chosen to dedicate their lives to the policing profession.

“Ontario’s civilian police service employees and police officers are in our communities around the clock working hard to ensure we have safe communities in which we live, work and raise our families,” said PAO President Mark Baxter. “Throughout the pandemic, Ontario’s police personnel have been on the front lines, causing increased stress on them and their families. The PAO Police Hero awards is a great opportunity for the public to acknowledge the hard-working efforts of our police personnel.”

Ontarians are encouraged to submit their nominations online at PoliceHero.ca or via direct message on social media (Facebook or Twitter). Nominations are now closed and award winners will be formally announced during the PAO’s Annual General Meeting in June.