- Jason Bonikowsky’s Story – Sergeant, Waterloo Regional Police
I had been a Police Officer for close to 17 years when my life would change in the blink of an eye one day in October 2017. I had spent …
- Mike Fillmore’s Story – Records Support, Peterborough Police
October 1, 2016 was the day my world changed forever. I woke up with extreme stomach pains, the pains remained and took approximately 2 weeks to subside. I remember the …
- Mark Wright’s Story – Detective, Hamilton Police
Telling this story to people has never been an easy task. Sharing with a bunch of police officers is more difficult. We do this job and have our own experiences. …
- Brad Traves’ Story – Constable, Barrie Police
When asked to write about my journey for the PAO’s Mental Health initiative, I was not certain just how to talk about something that was always taboo in the policing …
- Joseph Styles’ Story – Detective, York Regional Police
My name is Joe Styles. I am a Detective with the York Regional Police. I come from a family of people who support and are devoted to law enforcement and …
- Kimberley Hardy’s Story – Communicator, Waterloo Regional Police
My career as a Dispatcher began with the Waterloo Regional Police Service in February 1998. I felt I had finally found the job that was perfect for me. I didn’t …
- Ismet Brahimir’s Story – Sergeant, Halton Regional Police
23 years ago, my lifelong dream was fulfilled when I became a police officer. My life was perfect, or so it seemed. My first day on the road was filled …
- Ed Jermol’s Story – Sergeant, Waterloo Regional Police Service
I always thought it was something that only happened to soldiers. I never thought it could happen to me. Until it did. In 2016, I was diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSD). Like …
- Deb Nelson’s Story – 911 Dispatcher, London Police Service
You don’t think too much about your future physical and mental health when you join a police service in your 20’s, at least I sure didn’t. I was full of …
- Shannon Tennant’s Story – Sergeant, Windsor Police Service; Director, Windsor Police Association
Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a reaction for someone who has not yet been clinically assessed as having PTSD. While there is considerable overlapping of symptoms of the two conditions, there …
- Garth Faubert’s Story – Constable, Ottawa Police Service
My experience with mental health is not unique or exclusive. Most of my colleagues have experienced some form of occupational frustration during their career. Where I made my mistakes was …
