Durham, Ont., police officers with PTSD say the service fights against their workplace benefits

Multiple shorthorn neighborhood constabulary officers diagnosed with carry traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) say the service is compromising their recovery by fighting their access to workplace mental health benefits. 

Chief Peter Moreira said the service challenges very few Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) claims and only does so to get more details about the worker’s case. 

The officers’ accounts follow the release of 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.

“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. 

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. 

A WSIB spokesperson said there are several ways employers can get information about a worker’s claim that don't require challenging it.

But Moreira said the provincially-run system is plagued by delays, so the service submits objections to get timely access to more information. 

“There's no other mechanism by which, as an employer, we can find out any information with regards to how the injury happened, how we can best support it, and how we can prevent it from happening to somebody else,” he said in a one-on-one interview at police headquarters. 

When the WSIB approved Stephen’s PTSD claim, he said he was dealing with bursts of rage, sadness and frequent nightmares. He felt disconnected from his family and friends. He also had a PTSD diagnosis from his psychologist and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

But DRPS appealed. 

“It makes you feel worthless when you’ve poured so much into your employer and you’ve been so faithful,” Stephen said. “It’s unreal. It’s infuriating.” 

Durham police ran a 'poisoned' workplace, years-long investigation finds

Several said the service’s response set back their recovery. They described difficulty sleeping and said their loved ones often bear the brunt of their mood swings. 

“I’ve never had a period of time [since I’ve been off] where I can say that I was able to heal,” said Kevin. “Every time I get a little bit better, DRPS will do something.” 

Particularly frustrating, the officers say, is that the service pushes back on claims despite medical assessments. That includes diagnoses, but also findings about whether they are fit to return to work. 

Many say they underwent medical assessments — oftentimes, multiple — from institutions such as CAMH and Trillium Health Partners, only for DRPS to challenge their claim anyway. 

“Why are they not believing independent professionals that are trained in this or think they know better?” said Kevin. 

DRPS provided data that shows 102 members are currently off work and receiving WSIB benefits. The majority are off on mental health related claims. 

The service said it received 623 WSIB claims from 2023 to 2025, the majority of which are mental health related. DRPS filed an intent to object form for 60 claims and then continued with a formal appeal for 14 of those claims. 

Employers can appeal WSIB decisions at almost every step in an employee’s case — from initial approval to return-to-work rulings, said Hamilton-based paralegal Michelle Zare, who specializes in first responders’ claims. 

When an employer files an intent to object form, the employer gets the worker’s case file, Zare said. This can include doctors’ notes, psychological assessments and progress notes, and even notes from psychological treatment sessions. 

“Whether they proceed with a formal appeal beyond that level or not, they’ve already called you into question,” she said. 

Employers aren't required to provide an argument when they submit objection forms, said Luke Hamer, a Toronto-based employment lawyer who has represented employers in the WSIB process.

For some officers, this lack of explanation can be harmful. 

Sean O'Brien has treated DRPS members for nearly 30 years. He said objections without arguments are “absolutely devastating” to the mental health of his patients, who are dealing with significant and disabling traumatic mental stress injuries. 

Moreira said the service needs to object in order to receive information they don’t get from the WSIB in a timely manner. 

“It’s never the intent of the organization to re-aggravate an injury to a member, but there are very few steps that we can take, and only in those rare cases do we exercise any of those rights,” he said.

Under the WSIB system, workers or employers can request a functional abilities form, which outlines a worker’s abilities and restrictions before they return to work. But Moreira said getting this form can take years. 

He said he thinks the WSIB system has been unable to handle PTSD claims effectively since provincial legislation passed in 2016. Since then, first responders have been able to rapidly apply for and be granted WSIB benefits once they’re diagnosed, as their PTSD is presumed to be work related. 

“The WSIB presumptive legislation was never designed to deal with the situations that we have today,” Moreira said. “There are a number of gaps, including capacity gaps.” 

Employers can request updates on an injured worker directly from the WSIB case manager, said WSIB spokesperson Christine Arnott. That includes updates on a worker’s functional abilities or “impairment level,” she said in an emailed statement. 

She said WSIB response times vary by method of contact: within 24 hours for phone inquiries, within two business days for online messages, and within 10 business days for letters.

“Throughout the life of the claim, employers can directly communicate with the case manager to discuss the incident, learn how to best support the person’s recovery, and receive updates on functional abilities and return to work recommendations when appropriate,” Arnott said. 

While Moreira pointed to WSIB system limitations, Stephen said he only blames the DRPS for causing him harm. 

“WSIB has helped me immensely. Durham regional police has not,” he said. 

Durham Regional Police Association president Andrew Tummonds also declined an interview. In a statement, he said the association is “is very concerned about the impact of ongoing employer challenges to mental health claims, which includes impairing the ability of members to recover from their injuries and, in some cases, prevents or delays members from returning to work.” 

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