Publications

Public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, police, public safety communicators) are inevitably exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs; e.g., actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence). Frequent PPTE exposures and other occupational stressors are associated with posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI) including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and other physical and psychological comorbidities. PSP senior leadership (i.e., Chiefs, Directors, Deputy Chiefs) are expected to provide effective solutions for frontline personnel mental health. Most efforts have focused on frontline PSP, with minimal mental health support efforts targeted towards senior PSP leadership, despite PSP senior leadership being generally presumed to have experienced PPTEs and other occupational stressors in their previous roles as frontline PSP which may have similarly impacted their mental health. To date, no studies have assessed for differences in occupational stressors, mental health disorder symptoms, and suicidal behaviours (i.e., ideation, planning, attempts) among a diverse sample of Canadian PSP leadership relative to frontline PSP. The current study was designed to assess for differences in screening prevalence proportions for occupational stressors, mental health disorders, and suicidal behaviours among different organizational roles (i.e., PSP senior leadership [Chiefs, Directors, Deputy Chiefs] and PSP in other serving roles) within the paramedicine and policing PSP sectors, with the intent to broadly support the Canadian National Action Plan on Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries. Results indicated that PSP senior leadership were not less likely to screen positive for any mental health disorder, one or more mental health disorders, or suicidal behaviours than frontline PSP within the same PSP sector, underscoring that PSP senior leadership also need tailored mental health supports, particularly given the administrative stressors that will necessarily compound the impact of their frontline service.

Criticisms of Canadian police interactions with the public have escalated since early 2010s, with increasing negative media attention. Police use of force is not inherently wrong, is sometimes necessary to protect citizens, and is prescribed by provincial legislation to prevent further risk of harm to the public. Negative media coverage often focuses on critiquing police causing duty-related bodily harm (DRBH) without sufficient context. The current study quantitatively analysed publicly available Canadian data on DRBH involving use of force exceeding legally-approved standard operating procedures or involving code of conduct violations (FELSOP), relative to total police occurrences. Since 2012, independent provincial civilian oversight agency Crown referrals have been stable at less than 0.08% (i.e., <1/10th of 1%) of all police occurrences. The rate of fatalities of members of the public per police occurrence has remained at less than 0.001% (i.e., less than 1/1000th of 1%) since 2000, with only three Canadian police convicted of DRBH involving FELSOP resulting in a deceased member of the public while on duty. Comparatively, a total of 104 on-duty police officer fatalities were recorded between 2000 and 2023, 47 of which were identified as resulting from intentionally harmful acts committed by members of the public. As a result, police appear ~23.5 times more likely to die by intentionally harmful acts by members of the public than to be convicted of fatal DRBH involving FELSOP against the public. The current proportions of less than 1/10th of 1% raise questions about substantial criticisms and calls for pervasive reforms, and suggest careful considerations are needed regarding reasonable expectations.