Durham Officers Challenge Police Service Over PTSD Claims

Multiple police officers from the Durham Region, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have raised concerns that their employer is undermining their recovery by contesting their access to workplace mental health benefits. The officers allege that the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has frequently challenged their claims, complicating their healing process.

The issue has come to light following a report by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, which indicated that the DRPS “vigorously opposed virtually every” application from officers for PTSD benefits through the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB). This report, which emerged from a six-year investigation initiated in 2019, was released via a freedom of information request but was heavily redacted, limiting insight into the officers’ testimonies.

Chief Peter Moreira, who assumed his role in March 2023, stated that the service only contests a small percentage of WSIB claims to obtain more information about the cases. According to DRPS data, the service submitted intent to object forms for approximately 10 percent of all WSIB claims since the beginning of 2023, with most related to mental health issues. Despite this, the service rarely escalates these objections to formal appeals.

Officers who spoke with CBC News, using pseudonyms to protect their identities, reported feeling betrayed by the DRPS, particularly after years of dedicated service responding to traumatic incidents that contributed to their PTSD. One officer, known as Stephen, expressed frustration over the service’s appeal of his approved claim. “It makes you feel worthless when you’ve poured so much into your employer and you’ve been so faithful,” he stated.

During a one-on-one interview, Chief Moreira emphasized that the objections are meant to facilitate timely access to vital information regarding the claims. He explained, “There’s no other mechanism by which, as an employer, we can find out any information with regards to how the injury happened, how we can best support it, and how we can prevent it from happening to somebody else.”

Despite assertions from the DRPS, some officers maintain that the service’s actions hinder their recovery. Kevin, another officer, remarked, “I’ve never had a period of time [since I’ve been off] where I can say that I was able to heal. Every time I get a little bit better, DRPS will do something.”

Psychologists treating DRPS members have voiced concerns regarding the impact of these objections. Sean O’Brien, a psychologist with nearly three decades of experience, described the objections without accompanying arguments as “absolutely devastating” to his patients’ mental health.

The WSIB system allows employers to request updates on injured workers without formally contesting claims. Christine Arnott, a WSIB spokesperson, noted that employers can directly communicate with case managers for updates on a worker’s functional abilities and recovery recommendations.

However, some officers argue that the DRPS’s insistence on objections undermines their claims, which are supported by independent medical assessments from institutions like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). They question why the DRPS challenges the conclusions of qualified professionals.

The report detailing the investigation into the DRPS has raised serious concerns about the workplace environment, highlighting failures to address harassment and mental health issues. Many officers have reported significant emotional distress, with symptoms such as mood swings and difficulty sleeping, often affecting their families.

As the situation unfolds, the DRPS faces scrutiny over its handling of PTSD claims and the impact of its actions on officers’ mental health and recovery. The issue has ignited discussions about the need for reform within the WSIB system, particularly regarding how it addresses the mental health needs of first responders.

The DRPS has yet to provide data on the success rate of its appeals. In the meantime, officers continue to navigate the challenges posed by their claims, hoping for a resolution that allows them to heal and return to their vital roles in serving the community.