Peterborough Police Service shortlisted for Canadian HR Awards 2026

For the second year in a row, the People Services Division of the Peterborough Police Service has been shortlisted for a national award at the Canadian HR Awards.

The Service submitted a nomination for Excellence in HR Team Performance (Fewer than 500 Employees).  The Peterborough Police Service is one of 10 nominees and is the only police service amongst those in the running.

The Peterborough Police Service People Services strategy was built directly from the Peterborough Police Service Board Strategic Plan under the “Supporting our People” pillar.

The team of 5.5 Human Resources professionals supports more than 270 sworn and civilian members.

This award nomination recognizes their work in 2025:

• Using an integrated employee lifecycle approach, the team aligned recruitment, onboarding, development, wellness, retention, re-boarding, and succession planning into a single workforce strategy. Results included 32 hires, 12 student placements, expanded wellness supports, improved employee self-service capabilities, and a reduction in turnover from 13.81% in 2023 to 6.25% in 2025. These outcomes strengthened operational readiness while positioning PPS for long-term workforce sustainability.
• Operating as a strategic partner across the organization to help enhance accountability and transparency in internal job promotions and postings to include 360-degree input, providing employees with direct opportunities to shape the future of the Organization.
• Continuing to build external partnerships with post-secondary institutions in the area to support recruitment, workforce development and future talent planning. This was done through the Service’s active teaching relationships which saw four full-time members serve as part-time faculty within the Police Foundations program at Fleming College.
• Partnering with external providers to enhance member wellness supports, modernize compensation practices and strengthen workforce resilience.
• Transforming recruitment through targeted outreach, educational partnerships, pre-employment fitness preparation programs (shuttle run), employee referrals, ride-alongs, mentorship opportunities, and enhanced onboarding practices.

Collectively, these initiatives delivered significant organizational results:

• Turnover reduced by more than half, from 13.81% (2023) to 6.25% (2025)
• 32 hires supporting operational readiness
• 5 internal promotions supporting career development
• 58 internal career opportunities posted
• 7 referral hires generated through the Employee Referral Program - YTD
• 85% employee satisfaction across the employee lifecycle
• 4.24% reduction in WSIB claims
• Pay equity review for civilian members
• Enhanced workforce sustainability and succession planning

The Peterborough Police Service continues to hire both civilian and sworn staff, and if you would like to be notified of career opportunities at the Peterborough Police Service, please subscribe to our online external job board click on “Career Alert”.

The Canadian HR Awards continues to be the premier event for recognizing excellence and innovation in human resources across the country. Award recipients will be announced on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at a ceremony in Toronto.

Sandra Dueck
Manager, Strategic Communication Services
Peterborough Police Service
876@peterboroughpolice.ca
705-876-1122 x217