Some 205 Toronto Police and Civilian officers of more than 7,000 on staff were sent home for not getting their two vaccine shots. Courtesy photos.
Some 205 Toronto Police officers and civilians have been sent home without pay for not being vaccinated or disclosing their status.
The 117 officers and 88 civilian staff were sent home on November 30 after being placed on an unpaid absence for being unvaccinated or not disclosing their vaccination status, according to police officials.
Chief James Ramer said almost 98% of the 7,415 Toronto Police Service members have disclosed their vaccination status and 98% are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
A WALL mural by unknown artist in downtown Toronto warn residents to get their vaccination shots.
“Members are continuing to update their vaccination status every day,” Ramer said. “Our objective remains ensuring the health and safety of our members, our workplaces, and the public we serve.”
The chief said ‘if and when members are fully vaccinated and have disclosed their updated vaccination status, they will be able to return to work.’
“The Service is prioritizing frontline and priority response to ensure public safety is not impacted during this period,”’ he said. ”The Service is doing its part to protect the communities we serve and thank our members who have been vaccinated.”
The Service’s vaccination requirement was developed under the Board’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and in consultation with the Board. Since its development, the Service has consulted with the Board on a regular basis on this important issue, providing the Board with timely updates and opportunity for meaningful dialogue.
The requirement is also consistent with the approach of the City of Toronto and its agencies, boards and commissions, and many public and private sector workplaces. It protects the health and safety of Service Members, as well as the members of the public with whom they interact on a regular basis and is consistent with Toronto Public Health advice.
The City of Toronto also has a separate vaccine mandate for its employees and has so far placed more than 500 individuals on unpaid leaves with the intention of terminating them with cause in the New Year should they remain non-compliant with the policy.