The organizations are calling on the Government of Alberta to provide presumed PTSD coverage for Community Peace Officers.
Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) members endorsed Resolution 14-24F: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Coverage for Community Peace Officers Under the Workers’ Compensation Act. ABmunis members endorsed a resolution at their convention calling for the same action. This resolution explains that while first responders, including Peace Officers who are Sheriffs and other police officers, are given a special presumed PTSD protection in the Workers Compensation Act, this same protection does not apply to Community Peace Officers (CPOs).
After receiving resolution responses from the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade that did not express interest in providing CPOs with this protection, RMA, Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis), and the Alberta Association of Community Peace Officers (AACPO) united in advocating for this cause. Together, an infographic has been released, advocating for the Government of Alberta to make this change. This infographic has key information on the work CPOs do, the risks and trauma they are exposed to, as well as what they must do to obtain PTSD coverage at present.
Key points:
- CPOs are first responders and deserve the same legislated protections as Sheriffs
- CPOs regularly face on the job risks and psychological trauma
- The Government of Canada reported that 23% of public safety officers, which includes CPOs, screened positive for PTSD. This rate is 4-5 times higher than the general population
For more information and to view the infographic, click here.
Ashley Hadley
Policy and Research Analyst
825.319.2284
ashley@rmalberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy and Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@rmalberta.com