New Parking Officers Keep Roads Safe
A new group of Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) were sworn in today, ready to hit the streets and keep traffic flowing.
“You have all put in a tremendous amount of effort to reach this milestone, and we truly appreciate the dedication you have shown throughout your training,” Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue told the 15 graduates at Toronto Police headquarters on January 23. “Getting here takes skill, resilience and a strong commitment. The training you have completed has equipped you with the tools and knowledge to thrive in your career with the Toronto Police Service.”
The Command officer reminded the graduates that wellbeing is a core priority of the Service.
“The Chief, Command team, and the whole Service, are committed to your success,” Pogue said. “Being a Parking Enforcement Officer can be physically demanding. You will be walking a lot, driving in all conditions, and for some of you, patrolling by bike. At times, you will also encounter stressful situations. This is why I want to remind you to continuously make self-care a priority.”
Toronto Police Service Board Executive Director Louis Tsilivis told the graduates that their role extends beyond enforcing parking regulations.
“You are not just enforcing rules, but you are meaningfully engaging with people, day in and day out,” he said. “You are immersed in our communities, connecting with residents, small business owners and visitors to our city. You are the first and sometimes the only point of contact someone may have with the Toronto Police Service. That is both an incredible responsibility and an incredible opportunity. I encourage you to take pride in that. You are ambassadors for the values of the Service and for the kind of city we are building together, a city grounded in fairness, respect and equity.”
The graduating class adds greater diversity to the Service.
Two graduates speak three languages, and one speak five languages. In addition, more than 60 percent have extensive volunteer experience.
“Through your extraordinary range of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, you embody the rich diversity and strength of Toronto itself,” Tsilivis pointed out. “That is what we mean when we talk about building a police service that looks like the city it serves. You bring community into the Service and that connection and those lived experiences are exactly what strengthens public trust and makes our institution more responsive, more compassionate and more effective.”
Besides managing traffic flow, PEOs respond to hundreds of thousands of service calls, help recover stolen vehicles and work daily to protect vulnerable road users.
They also assist in emergencies, provide language interpretation and support grassroots crime prevention.
Valedictorian Nicole Pesantez said she knew little about parking enforcement and the demands of the role until she joined the Service.
“As time passed, I quickly learned that it is more than just issuing a parking ticket and moving on to the next vehicle,” she said. “It is not only about enforcement and issuing tags for violations, but about keeping roads safe to travel on, keeping exits clear for our first responders and keeping accessible parking spaces clear for those who require them.
“Furthermore, it is about getting to know our surroundings and learning about the community you are sharing a space with as you protect and serve, building connections and partnerships during your patrols to foster trust between you and the neighbourhood. It is also about having patience and remaining professional.”
On behalf of the class, Pesantez thanked the training officers for their patience, support and dedication.
“You prepared us not only to do this job, but to do it well,” she added. “You taught us to be professional, organized and accountable. I can honestly say this has been one of the best experiences of my life.”
Mridul Sachdeva received the highest academic mark with 98 percent.
“I was looking for an opportunity to work in the public and this job seemed to be perfect,” the former municipal parking enforcement officer said. “I am happy to be a member of Toronto Police, an organization I want to be with for the rest of my career.”
The class trained for six weeks.
The recruits’ training covered many subjects, including writing handwritten and electronic 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.
Each new PEO is partnered for five weeks with a Coach Officer to mentor them and allow them to hone their skills so they can confidently perform their duties.
The Toronto Police Service is accepting applications for the role of Parking Enforcement Officer until January 26, 2026. Learn more on the PEO Careers webpage.
