Police Fair Inspires Next Generation Of Ontario Officers
Police services from across Ontario gathered at the Toronto Police College on Oct. 5 for a province-wide recruitment fair aimed at encouraging more women to join, addressing critical staffing shortages and inspiring the next generation of officers as city demands grow.
For Roselle Lucero, 30, the fair was about more than just gathering information – it was about finally listening to a voice she’d tried to silence for years.
“Policing has always been something drawn to me,” she says, attributing her early interest to shows like Law & Order. But despite that passion, she faced a familiar barrier at home. “One of the speakers talked about how her parents didn’t want her to be a cop. And that was me.”
Lucero grew up being told law enforcement was too dangerous, especially for women like her. So she followed the path expected of her – nursing, then personal training. Both were good jobs, she says, but neither felt right.
“It [policing] was like a boomerang that I tried to keep throwing away, but it kept coming back,” Lucero laughs.
Hearing 41 Division’s Aysha Khawar talk about secretly applying to be a police officer against her parents’ wishes reaffirmed Lucero’s determination. “I am at the right place at the right time and I want to be a police officer, really bad!”
It’s a sentiment shared by the hundreds walking through the halls and parking lot of the college on Sunday, talking to officers from across Ontario including the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Peel Regional Police and Windsor Police Service.
People attending the recruitment fair asked about training, workplace culture, burnout and support. Many came looking for a way in. Some, like Lucero, came to see if they still belonged.
For the Toronto Police Service (TPS), which hosted the event, the need for new recruits is urgent. Since 1999, Toronto’s population has increased by nearly 600,000, but the number of officers has grown by only 37, according to TPS Chief Myron Demkiw in 2024.
Officers feel the weight of these challenges daily. Yet, amid the pressure, many emphasize the deeper purpose that draws them to the job – the meaning and fulfillment it provides, despite the difficulties.
“Policing can be challenging. It's difficult and at times, it's heartbreaking,” says Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue, highlighting the importance of having more women in policing to bring diverse perspectives that improve community relations and trust. “But it is what makes the job meaningful.”
Stephanie Fallico remembers when she stood in a similar crowd, unsure of her next move. Now a Special Constable with Toronto Police, she was at the fair last weekend showing off a Court Services vehicle and reflecting on how much can change when someone sees your potential.
“Being a member of the public to now being a uniformed member, it’s really given me a different bird’s eye view of how the Service works and how the community is really interacting with people,” she says.
Looking around the faces surrounding her booth, she offers reassurance. “You can ask the questions and you know that they’ll always have your back,” she adds, encouraging those at the event.
And when people express their doubts – saying they’re not strong enough, tough enough or sure enough – Fallico tells them what she once needed to hear.
“I made it work,” she smiles. “And you can too.”
