Durham police officers with PTSD say the service fights against their workplace benefits | CBC News

"According to DRPS data, the service has submitted intent to object forms for roughly 10 per cent of all WSIB claims, the majority of which are mental health related, since 2023, but rarely escalates those objections to a formal appeal. All six officers CBC News spoke with had their cases objected to, and three of them are now in the formal appeal process."

"a six-year report by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission that found, in part, the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) "vigorously opposed virtually every officers' PTSD application to the WSIB. That report was released via a freedom of information request and was heavily redacted, so it doesn't include details about officers' testimonies. While the report is based on an investigation that began in 2019, five of the six officers who spoke with CBC News say the service has continued pushing back under Moreira, who became chief in March 2023."

"When it comes to what police stand for, we're helping people. I figured I'd get the same help, and I didn't, said Connor."

Multiple Durham Region police officers diagnosed with PTSD have had WSIB claims objected to, which has compromised recovery and delayed access to workplace mental-health benefits. A six-year investigation by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission found the Durham Regional Police Service vigorously opposed virtually every officer PTSD application to the WSIB, and portions of that report were heavily redacted. DRPS records show intent-to-object forms were submitted for roughly 10 percent of WSIB claims since 2023, mostly mental-health related, with few objections escalated to formal appeals. Several objected cases have entered the formal appeal process amid ongoing claim adjudication. The police service cites provincial delays as the reason for objecting to obtain information more quickly, while WSIB notes employers can seek claim information without formal challenges.

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