RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A CHANGE IN POLICE CULTURE

The expert panel’s seven pathways to better outcomes

1.

Making mental health as normal a subject as any other form of health, wellness and fitness of duty: “Attitudes about mental health issues among serving police members at all levels represent a clear and present danger,” said the report. 2.

Navigating through transitions: Return to work is the point of greatest risk, triggering open conflict with the police organization and peers. Critical transitions include returning to work after a period of repeat short-term absences, while applying for psychological services and benefits, reassignment to modified roles and reassignment back to full service.

3.

Access to care: Confidence in the patchwork of care providers is moderate to low, said the report. For those struggling with mental health, any barrier to access can be a reason to revert to suppression, denial and withdrawal from care. Access to quality care should be universal and should include policing and trauma-informed clinicians, said the report.

4.

Adequate police staffing levels: The current staffing model doesn’t take into account vacancies due to those on medical leave. Those who remain on the job may suffer from burnout or resent those who are on leave, which acts as a deterrent to those who need help. Forces should work collectively to establish a provincewide system with enough resources to fill in medical leave vacancies, said the report.

5.

Preserving “police identity”: Officers who face charges or embarrassment due to mental health issues are at risk when they return to work because of the effect it has on police identity. The report recommends that all police services have supports in place for returning officers, regardless of the severity of the officer’s infraction or breach of duty. 6.

Managing suicide events:

There is currently no requirement for coroners in Ontario to track first responder suicides. Therefore, it is not possible to know if there are any patterns. All coroners in the province should record and report the suicides of first responders. “Postvention” includes extending support to the bereaved and minimizes the risks of a suicide contagion effect, said the report. “Clusters of deaths, as seen in our nine cases in a single year, certainly heighten concerns in this regard.”

7.

Adopting a “no wrong door” mindset everywhere in the province: Policing as a system must ensure that every member and family affected by mental health should face no barrier to seeking out and accessing care and treatment. To do this, policing must act as a unified system. The report suggests the Ministry of the Solicitor General is best positioned to provide the leadership for this approach.