Special Constables Take New Path in Policing

The newest class of Special Constables to graduate are entirely internal hires who sought out a new role in policing to evolve in their careers and make a positive impact on their city.

“This is something we are proud of,” Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said of developing talent from within the organization. “It means that members can have many career paths within the Service and that your peers and the leadership are here to support you. You are our best examples of a police service that values its members and provides opportunities for professional and personal growth. You now get to bring all your skill and experience with you to this new role. Each of you will continue to enhance our organization with a wealth of diverse life and professional experiences, cultures and languages that uniquely reflect the diversity of our amazing city.”

Of the 21 special constables who graduated on September 5 at Toronto Police College, all already worked for the Toronto Police Service, most as Parking Enforcement Officers.

Pogue noted that Special constables are a critical part of a modern and effective and community focused police service.

“Your work allows officers to focus on critical law enforcement duties, ensuring the entire team operates more effectively,” she said. “You are indispensable to keeping our Service and our city run smoothly. I have every confidence in your ability to serve with professionalism, integrity and according to our core values, treating everyone you encounter with empathy and respect.”

With well-being been essential to the overall quality of life, Pogue reminded the graduates to make self-care a priority.

“Your health safety and well-being are essential for us to serve our communities effectively,” she added. “We want you to be happy and healthy and to continue to have a long and fulfilling career with us. As an organization, we will offer every support we can to assist with your success as you selflessly serve Torontonians. Please know that your health, your safety and your well-being will always be our top priority.”

Toronto Police Service Board member Shelley Carroll thanked the graduates for choosing to become special constables.

“Public service demands courage, empathy and a deep sense of duty,” she said. “You have already proven you have those qualities. As you take on your new responsibilities, know that the people of Toronto are grateful and proud to have you serving in their communities.”

Toronto Police Association President Clayton Campbell also addressed the graduates.

“Everyone plays an invaluable role in keeping our city, especially our Special Constables,” he said. “But you will face challenges. Everyone here knows that policing and public service comes with inherent risk. The best advice I can give you is to remember your training, trust yourselves and trust each other.”

After two years with Parking Enforcement, Yeganeh Hashem Zadeh is excited to take a new career path.

“Getting into this role has been a dream of mine,” she said. "This position offers more opportunities to serve the community.”

Born in Iran, Zadeh and her family migrated to Canada in 2011.

The Police Foundations program graduate was a volunteer Auxiliary member six years ago at 32 Division.

Shawn Kanhai was in the Parking Enforcement Unit for nearly 12 years before making the switch.

Taking on the Street Sweeper role opened his eyes to other possibilities within the Service.

“I just felt like I could do for myself and the organization,” he said, of the role where Parking Enforcement officers use a mobile licence plate reader to identify and recover stolen vehicles as well as enforce parking by-laws, including the proper use of accessibility permits.

Daniel Lisowsky achieved a 94 percent academic mark, Kisho Ganesalingam won the Physical Training Most Improved Award, Andrew Cooke secured the Physical Training High Performance Award and Gannan Du was the recipient of the Toronto Police Military Veterans Association Dress & Deportment Award

Rayon Maxell was the class valedictorian.

The new class raised almost $2,010 for the Native Men’s Residence and the Ontario Native Women’s Association.

This is the third Special Constable graduation since the Community Safety & Policing Act was enacted, bringing with it a significant amount of new mandated training, legislated by the Solicitor’s General Office and developed by the Ontario Police College.

Starting on May 20, the expanded 16-week training covered academic, practical and dynamic scenario elements along with a written and demonstrated Use of Force exam.

The graduates will do field training for the next six months – two months each in the District Special Constable (DSC), Court Officer and the Divisional Booking roles.

Booking Officers are responsible for booking, searching, fingerprinting, and photographing persons in custody, maintaining the security and wellbeing of prisoners in custody and managing people in emotional crisis and physical distress.

Court Officers maintain security at courthouses and transport prisoners.

The DSC position supplements and help create capacity for frontline officers by taking on tasks that would otherwise be assigned to police officers such as guarding a crime scene or canvassing for information.

Learn more about roles in policing by visiting www.tps.ca/careers