Toronto police preparing response teams to ensure full staffing despite COVID-19 concerns
Posted December 24, 2021 12:38 pm.
Last Updated December 24, 2021 12:42 pm.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) is preparing for increased COVID-19 cases amongst service members by extending shifts for their Priority Response Units.
As of Jan. 3, all the divisional Priority Response Units will prepare to work 12-hour shifts, day and night in order to maintain a full 24-hour response.
It will also allow the service to make operation adjustments and transition members smoothly if there are impacts to staffing levels due to COVID-19.
“Ensuring public safety is always our top priority and we continue to monitor the situation and make any operational adjustments to ensure our officers are where the public needs us most,” said interim Police Chief James Ramer in a statement. He add they have a robust staffing plans in place.
Toronto police have already closed their buildings to the public due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Ramer tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday.
There are also nearly 200 personnel who have been placed on unpaid leave due to not being vaccinated or failing to disclose their vaccine status.
Ontario reported almost 10,000 COVID-19 cases on Christmas Eve. The province will not be reporting any case numbers between Dec. 25 and Dec. 28.
“The health and safety of the public and our members is of the utmost importance and we appreciate our members’ professional commitment during these unprecedented times,” read a statement by TPS.
Toronto police also announced Friday there will be no on-street parking enforcement over the holidays on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
