Embarking on New Career at TPS
The latest class of Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) are excited to serve the city after comprehensive training at the Toronto Police College.
At the graduation ceremony on August 21 at the Toronto Police College, Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue told the 40 new PEOs that they will have a huge positive impact on the quality of life in Toronto.
“You are a vital part of keeping our city moving,” she said, of the PEOs who keep rush hour routes and bike lanes clear of traffic in addition to parking tickets. “You help ease congestion, respond to hundreds of thousands of calls for service, recover stolen vehicles and work every day to protect our most vulnerable road users. On top of that, you provide language interpretation, assist in emergencies, support grassroots crime prevention and contribute meaningfully to both corporate and community policing initiatives.”
Pogue noted that parking enforcement officers are a highly visible presence in local communities.
“Each of you will enhance our organization with a wealth of diverse life and professional experiences,” she said. “Every day, you will be making a difference and we are all very happy to be welcoming you.”
The Toronto Police Service Board (TPSB) also recognized the vital role parking enforcement officers play in the city.
“Your work keeps our streets safe and traffic moving smoothly by making sure parking laws are followed,” said TPSB Chair Shelley Carroll. “You support Torontonians in their everyday lives, helping to make sure parking spaces are used properly and fairly which is a big part of what keeps our city running smoothly.
“Every day as you engage with people in the community, you become ambassadors for the Toronto Police Service. I encourage you to be proud of the organization you represent and to carry yourselves with professionalism, integrity and a strong work ethic in everything you do.”
Of the 40 graduates, 23 speak two languages, 16 speak three languages and one speaks five.
“That linguistic and cultural richness allows us to connect with communities across the city in meaningful ways,” said Carroll. “You can speak to people in their languages, build trust and strengthen relationships, all of which are at the heart of the partnership between police and the public.”
New Parking Enforcement Officer Toni Johnson said he was drawn to the job ever since he first saw a PEO shortly after migrating from Barbados.
“It is just outside the line of policing in uniform and I thought it was a good way to give back to the city to help move traffic freely and ensure fair access to the roadways,” said the university grad and former personal trainer.
St. Lawrence College graduate Sachin Kumar, who worked in the insurance industry before joining TPS, achieved the highest academic mark with 98.67%.
The class trained for five weeks.
Valedictorian Rohani Sandal said the training was comprehensive.
“We got a lot packed into that time because this role requires a good amount of training before we go on the road,” said Sandal, who has an undergraduate degree in health sciences.
The recruits’ training covered many subjects, including writing handwritten and electronic hand-held tickets, towing, private property, fire routes, accessible parking, considerations and by-laws.
They also received training in crisis communications, defensive tactics, tactical communication, powers of arrest, occupational health & safety and ethics training at the police college.
Assigned to a platoon at one of the three Parking Enforcement Units, each recruit is partnered with a Coach Officer to mentor them and allow them to hone their skills so they can confidently perform their duties.
To learn more about career opportunities at the Toronto Police Service, visit www.tps.ca/careers
