Toronto Police is launching a Police-Military Veterans Wellness Program as part of the Service’s long and proud history of supporting the Canadian Armed Forces.

The program aims to have every police officer equipped with the resources necessary to connect veterans to Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Operational Stress Injury Social Support Programs.

It also aims to leverage the experience of veterans within the Service and have veteran-specific training provided to officers to assist them in de-escalating situations involving a veteran in crisis.

The program was created by Consts. Aaron Dale and Jeremy Burns, both who have Canadian military experience.

“It has been an honour to work on such an important passion project within Toronto Police and I hope that this program will improve the quality of life for veterans across Canada,” said Dale.
Burns vow they will continue “to work tirelessly to ensure that every veteran remembers that nobody fights alone.”

“The importance of this program cannot be overvalued,” he said. “The sacrifices that veterans make for their country continues long after they return home from war.”

Dale has served with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment as a Special Forces Operator and Burns with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Both members have lots of overseas experiences, which have assisted them in bringing more awareness to this much-needed issue.

By providing frontline police officers with information that allows them to better identify veterans who may be in need of assistance, the Service will connect these men and women to the resources and support they deserve.
The OPP adopted the program and it was launched on November 9 as Operation: Leave the Streets Behind.