25 Officers recognized at Badge Ceremony today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 26, 2023   4:45pm

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) hosted a Badge Ceremony today and 25 new recruits were welcomed by Chief Eric Stubbs and Ottawa Police Services Board Chair Dr. Gail Beck.

The newest recruit class comes with a wealth of work experience including work as a fire fighter, a Correctional Officer in Saskatchewan, and a Correctional Officer and Probation and Parole Officer. One recruit has a certification as a Wilderness First Responder and as an Emergency Medical Responder, one served overseas on NATO missions to Afghanistan and a UN mission to South Sudan and one played varsity football. Some come to OPS from the CBSA, the Canadian Armed Forces and the City’s By-Law & Regulatory Services.

Recruits have volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Ministries of Ottawa crisis responder, victim services, Ottawa Fire Services and as a parent advisory council, to name a few.

Of the 18 men and seven women receiving their badges today, many have advanced degrees in law, psychology, English literature, kinesiology, architectural technology and applied computer science.

Nine of the 25 new officers were born and raised in Ottawa or have close ties to the city, the province or the Maritimes. One recruit is part of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. Others joined OPS from as far away as Lebanon, Iran, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Philippines. They speak English, French, Polish, Croatian, Arabic, Farsi and American sign language.

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, October 30^th with their field training officer.

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