-The Police Association of Ontario is accepting nominations for its ninth annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards program, encouraging Ontarians to recognize their local police heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty each day. On-Duty Difference Maker– Uniform Officer On-Duty Difference Maker– Civilian Police Service Employee The Extra Mile...

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2024 /CNW/ - The Police Association of Ontario (PAO) is accepting nominations for its ninth annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards program, encouraging Ontarians to recognize their local police heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty each day. 

From February 1 to March 18, members of the public can nominate a local police hero for one of five awards at PoliceHero.ca:

• On-Duty Difference Maker – Uniform Officer (A police officer who has gone above and beyond the expectations of the job while on-duty)
• On-Duty Difference Maker – Civilian Police Service Employee (A civilian police service employee who has gone above and beyond the expectations of the job while on-duty)
• The Extra Mile Award (A police officer or civilian police service employee who has done a one-time, extraordinary act of kindness or bravery while off the job)
• Community Role Model (A police officer or civilian police service employee who, in their free time, has made a notable difference in or contribution to their community over a prolonged period)
• Police Hero Honour Roll Award (Pays homage to a police officer or civilian police service employee who has made a significant impact over the past decade)

Ontario's police heroes deserve to be celebrated by Ontarians, and community members can join us in highlighting their important work.

The stories of last year's Police Services Hero of the Year award winners exemplify some of the most exceptional individuals and teams who dedicate their lives to policing – protecting and serving their communities. More information on last year's winners can be found here.

"Our dedicated police heroes – police officers and civilian police service employees – tirelessly work to protect and serve Ontarians so they can feel safe and secure in our communities," said PAO President Mark Baxter. "The PAO's Police Services Hero of the Year Awards provide all of us with an opportunity to recognize the contributions made by police service members both on and off duty."

Ontarians are encouraged to submit their nominations online at PoliceHero.ca or via direct message on social media (Facebook or Twitter). Nominations will be accepted until March 18, 2024, and award winners will be formally announced during the PAO's Annual General Meeting in late spring in Windsor, Ontario.

The Police Association of Ontario represents over 28,000 uniform and civilian police personnel from 45 police associations across Ontario.

The roles civilian police service members take on are many: They are the voice of calm on the other end of a 9-1-1 call, the first face the public sees when they enter a police station, someone working in forensic identification or in court services and more.

SOURCE Police Association of Ontario (PAO)