Durham Police Report Raises Alarm Over Mental Health Practices

A comprehensive report examining the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has raised significant concerns regarding its handling of mental health claims, particularly those related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings, revealed by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission following a six-year investigation and obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request, indicate that the DRPS “vigorously opposed virtually every application to the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) for presumptive PTSD” and contested claims of chronic mental stress.

Experts emphasize the need for timely mental health support, stating that delays in assistance can hinder recovery. Alec King, the communications and public relations lead for the Canadian Mental Health Association Durham, noted, “When help is postponed, healing takes longer.”

Concerns Over Past Practices and Current Protocols

While DRPS Chief Peter Moreira and the police board have asserted that the report pertains to events over six years ago, involving former board members and leadership, questions linger about the current state of mental health claims handling within the service. They indicated that many of the report’s 33 recommendations have already been implemented. However, it remains unclear if the DRPS continues to oppose officers’ mental health claims as previously documented.

In a statement released by the board, no specific references were made to the report’s findings related to PTSD and mental health, leading to public uncertainty regarding the current practices.

Judith Andersen, an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s psychology department, highlighted a common misconception. She stated that while there is a public belief that police stress and mental health leave stem primarily from traumatic incidents encountered during duty, research shows that a significant portion arises from organizational stressors. “Often, the instigator of the stress leave is from [an] internal organizational toxic workplace,” Andersen explained.

Legislative Challenges and Systemic Issues

During a recent Durham Regional Council meeting, Garry Cubitt, vice-chair of the DRPS board, raised concerns about the Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act, passed in 2016. This legislation aimed to facilitate quicker access to mental health support for first responders by presuming that PTSD is job-related. Cubitt, who was not part of the board during the investigation period, noted that the law has inadvertently created limitations for boards seeking to support officers with PTSD.

“There are restrictions on how we can mandate treatment or require reports from psychologists,” Cubitt said. Chief Moreira echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the current WSIB system often experiences delays in providing vital information necessary for supporting officers effectively.

Despite these ongoing challenges, Moreira reported that the DRPS successfully returned 114 members to duty last year after leaves of absence, including five individuals who had been away for multiple years. However, he did not specify how many of these cases were related to mental health issues.

Andersen emphasized the importance of not only facilitating officers’ return to work but also conducting long-term follow-ups. “The true temperature test is to ask those individuals, in an anonymous way, what it’s like when they return,” she stated, highlighting the potential for an environment of distrust among returning officers.

With the DRPS facing scrutiny over its mental health practices, it remains crucial for the service to address the findings of this report transparently and to ensure that officers receive the support they need for their mental well-being. As the community awaits further developments, the emphasis on effective mental health strategies within law enforcement remains a pressing concern.