Welcome to 23 new Special Constables

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 23, 2026    1:30 p.m. 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) proudly welcomed 23 newly appointed Special Constables during a graduation ceremony today.

The graduates successfully completed the OPS Special Constable Training Program, which includes comprehensive instruction in provincial and federal law, investigative support, ethics, de-escalation, and community engagement. They will now be deployed across the organization, supporting frontline officers, investigations, and specialized units.

Under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), Special Constables are authorized to perform an expanded range of duties under the direction of a police officer. These responsibilities include assisting with investigations, securing and managing evidence, and supporting mental health and crime scene responses.

This graduating class includes Generalist Special Constables, Forensic Identification Technicians (FIT), and a newly introduced role, District Investigations Special Constables (DISC), who will be embedded within district investigation teams.

"Today is a milestone day for our graduates and is also very much in keeping with the Board's commitment to modernizing policing in Ottawa,” said Salim Fakirani, Chair of the Ottawa Police Service Board. “These 23 new Special Constables will strengthen our capacity to support frontline officers, enhance responsiveness across the city, and provide more proactive community policing.”

Class highlights

The cohort brings diverse life experiences, having lived across Canada, with some members also having lived in Australia and India.

Generalists

• Education in police foundations, sociology, criminology, justice, and law
• Experience in social services, retail, corrections, the Ontario Provincial Police, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa By-law, airport security screening, OPS investigative support and intelligence, Canada Post, construction, protection services and security, and fraud investigations

Forensic Identification Technicians (FIT)

• Education in neuroscience, chemistry, biomedical science and forensic medicine, forensic science, and forensic identification
• Experience as pharmacy technicians, OPS Communications Centre staff, forensic investigators, and laboratory technicians

District Investigations Special Constables (DISC)

• Education in police foundations, criminology, and psychology
• Experience in customer service and a range of OPS roles, including front desk services, courts, background processing, and 911 dispatch

The Ottawa Police Service congratulates the graduating class and welcomes them as valued members of the OPS team, committed to supporting public safety and serving the community.

“This graduating class brings a remarkable range of skills, education, and life experience that will strengthen our service to the community. Whether supporting frontline officers, helping move investigations forward, or providing specialized forensic identification, Special Constables play an important role in modern policing under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act,” said Chief Eric Stubbs. “We’re proud to welcome these 23 new members—Generalists, Forensic Identification Technicians, and District Investigations Special Constables—and we thank them for their commitment to public safety and community well-being.”

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