23 Officers recognized at Badge Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 7, 2023   5:00 pm

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) welcomed 23 police recruits at a Badge Ceremony today.

The newest recruit class comes with a wealth of prior experience that includes work with youth on addictions and mental health, engagement with Indigenous communities in Alberta, teaching classes at college or at international schools, prior work in the military, coaching youth or Special Olympic athletes, and even playing semi-pro sports.

“All of these officers have deep ties to their Ottawa communities, or direct experience helping those in need, and wanted to become an officer to make a difference or to be a role model,” said Chief Eric Stubbs. “One recruit set up a charitable organization called Active Youth Ottawa that is focused on raising funds for our city’s youth centres.” 

Several recruits have prior experience working for City By-Law, as a paramedic, or as a Special Constable here in the city. Of the 15 men and eight women receiving their badges today, many have advanced degrees in law, sociology, social work, kinesiology, and criminology. Sixteen of the 23 new officers were born and raised in Ottawa or have close ties to the city. Others have joined us from as far away as Brooklyn, New York and Halifax, Nova Scotia. They speak English, French, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Tagalog, Mandarin and Malay.

These newest officers have passed their provincial training at the Ontario Police College. They will be in patrol cars throughout the city, starting on Monday, June 12 with their field training officer.

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