Experts Highlight Issues in Durham Police’s Handling of Mental Health

A comprehensive report into the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has raised significant concerns about how the police force manages officers’ claims related to mental health issues and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings, published by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission and obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request, reveal that the DRPS “vigorously opposed virtually every application” for presumptive PTSD claims made to the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB). Experts are alarmed by these practices, emphasizing the urgent need for timely mental health interventions for police personnel.

Alec King, the communications and public relations lead for the Canadian Mental Health Association Durham, expressed concern, stating, “When help is postponed, healing takes longer.” The investigation is particularly troubling given the psychological demands placed on police officers, who frequently experience traumatic events in the line of duty.

Previous Leadership and Current Challenges

The report covers incidents that occurred over six years ago, involving former board members and a senior command team no longer with the service. Peter Moreira, Chief of the DRPS, along with the police board, have indicated that significant improvements have been made since that time, with many of the report’s 33 recommendations already implemented. Nevertheless, questions linger regarding the current approach to PTSD and mental health claims.

It remains unclear whether the DRPS continues to contest officers’ mental health claims at the WSIB, as highlighted in the commission’s report. While the police board and Moreira released statements outlining the changes that have taken place since the report’s timeframe, they did not specifically address the findings related to PTSD.

The report, which spans six years of investigation, depicts a workplace beset by challenges, including failures to adequately address harassment and mental health concerns. According to the findings, the DRPS operated in what some describe as a “poisoned work environment,” characterized by bias in handling harassment claims and a culture that often dismissed mental health issues.

Judith Andersen, an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s department of psychology, noted that there is a common misconception that most police-related mental health issues stem from direct exposure to traumatic incidents. She pointed out that research indicates a “huge proportion” of mental health leaves and burnout are caused by internal organizational stressors. “Often, the instigator of the stress leave is from [an] internal organizational toxic workplace,” Andersen explained.

Concerns Over Legislative Impact

During a recent meeting of the Durham Regional Council, Garry Cubitt, vice-chair of the DRPS board, highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act, enacted in 2016. This legislation was designed to expedite mental health support and benefits for first responders by presuming that PTSD is job-related. Cubitt, who was not on the board during the report’s investigated period, noted that the law inadvertently limits boards’ abilities to provide necessary support to officers.

The current WSIB system has been criticized for delays in processing claims, affecting the DRPS’s ability to support its officers effectively. Moreira stated that the board’s concerns are not vindictive but stem from a desire to facilitate officers’ return to work as a positive step in their recovery journey.

The complexity of the claims process has left some uncertainties regarding how the board is handling mental health issues today. Cubitt declined to provide additional comments to CBC News at the council meeting, and the DRPS board refrained from further discussion, directing inquiries to their previous statements.

Lisa Darling, executive director of the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards, emphasized the board’s responsibility to foster an environment that supports both physical and psychological health. She reiterated the importance of establishing systems and policies to ensure the well-being of officers.

In the same council meeting, Moreira explained that last year, the DRPS successfully reintegrated 114 members back to work after periods of leave, including five who had been absent for multiple years. He did not disclose how many of these cases were related to mental health.

Andersen acknowledged the critical need for officers to return to work, emphasizing that long-term follow-ups are essential to assess their ongoing well-being. She cautioned that returning officers may encounter an “environment of distrust,” with colleagues potentially avoiding collaboration on calls or treating them differently upon their return.

The findings of this report underscore the urgent need for ongoing attention to mental health within police forces, highlighting the importance of creating supportive environments for officers to thrive both personally and professionally.