Ex-Windsor cops say they quit because of poor morale, lack of support and 'crazy pace' of the job

Three Windsor police officers tell CBC News their decision to leave in the last few years had a lot to do with morale being at an "all-time low," not feeling supported by the senior leadership team and the "crazy pace" of the job.

Part of that is because as call volumes increase for front-line patrol, the number of officers to respond to them isn't keeping pace.

In 2023, there were 149,232 calls for service with 296 active officers, according to data obtained by CBC News through a Freedom of Information Request.

By comparison, there were far fewer calls for service in 2019 — 125,186 — with 304 officers on staff to respond, slightly more than there is now.

Windsor police said in a statement that it doesn't have a retention challenge, and a new survey shows employee wellness is trending upward. 

WATCH: Windsor Police Association President Kent Rice talks openly about a variety of issues that exist at the service:

Windsor Police Association president talks more about the internal issues officers are facing

10 months ago

Duration 1:23

Windsor Police Association President Kent Rice is pushing for change at the Windsor Police Service after an "unprecedented" number of officers left in 2023 because of a variety of internal issues.

But other former Windsor officers say these internal issues have not been improving.

"Morale was at an all time low. It still is," the officer said. "Why is that? I would say a lack of resources as far as officers working. There just aren't enough cops on the road. We've been asked to do more with less for years and at some point there is a breaking point."

"What's the point?" another officer said. "I can go do this job somewhere else for the same pay in a different city, or I can get out of policing altogether, making more money with much less stress. It wears you down."

Another said lack of support from management makes an already stressful job worse.

"No one is ever calling the police because they're having a good day and they want to thank you for your service," the officer explained. "They're calling you because things are going awful, so every interaction you have with somebody starts off as negative and knowing that management isn't there to support you.

"It's a little disheartening."

CBC News isn't revealing the names or ranks of the officers as they fear retaliation or reprisal. But they hope speaking out will improve the work environment for their former colleagues who still work there.

They need to valued. They need to feel that they are safe and they need to feel that their input is desired.- Kent Rice, Windsor Police Association president

The Windsor Police Association says it's "unprecedented" that 12 officers left in 2023, and two so far this year.

It may seem like a small number considering Windsor police employs roughly 655 people, with the majority being front-line officers. But president Kent Rice said it speaks to a larger issue.

Morale is an internal problem Windsor police employees "echoed to me loudly," said Rice.

"They need to valued. They need to feel that they are safe and they need to feel that their input is desired."

Rice said officers also talk to him about a lack of fairness when it comes to internal discipline.

Rice said throughout most of his 25-year career, it was unheard of for officers to leave the Windsor Police Service, unless there was an unforeseen personal circumstance. In most cases, people who were hired in Windsor also retired here.

Sometimes, he said, they would even work longer than 30 years, which is when employees would qualify for a full pension.

Now, he said, things have changed.

"Right now, just like all police services, there are difficulties in recruiting officers," said Rice, adding that resignations at Windsor police just compounds the problem.

No retention challenges, say Windsor police

In May, when CBC News began working on this story, the service declined an interview, but in a statement said they are "not currently facing member retention challenges."

"The number of officers who have left our organization in 2023 is consistent with what we have seen in previous years," said Gary Francoeur, director of corporate communications. 

"The primary challenge for recruitment continues to be in the area of diversity, and we continue to work with all of our diverse communities in an effort to diversify our police service."

CBC News requested another interview with Chief Jason Bellaire. A spokesperson said he wasn't available for an interview, sending an emailed statement saying "member wellness ... is a key priority."

"We have established a holistic suite of programs and initiatives to foster wellness and positive morale in our workforce," said Bellaire.

He points to the peer support unit, the equity, diversity and inclusion committee, the leadership development program and the early intervention program, which identifies employees who may need support from the health and wellness coordinator.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, chair of the police services board, said through a spokesperson that he was unavailable during the three days leading up to the publication of this story.

High call volume contributing to burnout, officers leaving

The officers who spoke to CBC News say call volumes in recent years have increased substantially, while the number of officers hasn't. They say that leads to missing lunches, being overworked, and burning out.

"I would come home from work, and you'd work 14 or 15 hours, and you'd just kind of hold your head in your hands. I wouldn't want to talk to [my spouse] because … you're just f--king tired," one officer said.

The same officer says there was often a call backlog when front-line officers started their shift. Sometimes there were four calls in the queue or more than 50 waiting.

*As of July 1, 2023

They also wonder if the senior leadership team is trying to address the issues that front-line officers face.

"Going into the job, I didn't expect a lot of public support, but I at least expected support from our leadership. I found that usually wasn't the case," one said. 

"Their focus seems to be more on catering to social media and less on solving problems."

Some of the officers who left Windsor police in 2023 were experienced. Rice said a new recruit doesn't fully replace someone with a unique skill set, specialized training or more understanding of the job.

"If you lose that, that's something you're just going to replace by hiring a new police officer. It's not one for one," said Rice. "That is an issue that needs to be addressed."

It definitely feels like there is a lack of concern for the wellbeing of officers on the road.- Former Windsor police officer

One officer said the organization's upper ranks are in a difficult position, dealing with the political pressures of policing as well as public scrutiny.

"But some of them haven't been on the road in the last 10 years. Policing has changed completely in the last five years," a former officer said.

"It definitely feels like there is a lack of concern for the well-being of officers on the road."

The former officer said more visibility from senior leaders during morning lineup meetings would help.

Work-life balance improved after leaving

The same officer said his time at the Windsor police was rewarding for the community work, the opportunities that came with it and the officers alongside them.

But at the same time, "it was a lot of work for very little recognition. But I think after taking enough calls, no recognition and you're getting disciplined for seemingly insignificant issues, it starts taking a toll on you mentally."

Those who have left and continued policing elsewhere say they now have a much better work-life balance, which means their physical and mental health improved.

They say they hope leaders at the Windsor Police Service work hard to make it a better place for those who currently work there, especially officers on the front lines.

"We're all working nonstop, they're doing their best with very little support and the issue with policing is our job isn't to make everyone happy," a former officer said.

'They're not doing this for money, they're doing it for the community'

"We're there for difficult situations and that's just going to happen. But the people on the road are some of the best people I'll ever know. They're not doing this for the money, they're doing it for the community, even if it doesn't seem that way."

"I want change," another said. "I want Windsor police to be better. I feel like we have great people who work there. But they're going to continue to lose great people."

These feelings about the workplace culture have existed for years, show internal surveys CBC News has previously obtained.

Two-third of employees surveyed in December 2020 say senior leadership isn't interested in workers' welfare. At that time, Pam Mizuno was chief of police. She announced an unexpected retirement in March 2022, in the middle of her five-year contract.

Then in 2022, after Jason Bellaire took the reins as chief of police, 44 per cent of those surveyed said employee wellness isn't improving at the police service.

Results for last year's internal Windsor police survey have improved in some areas, said Bellaire in his emailed statement.

Over the last four years, he said, employee wellness has increased seven per cent, and satisfaction with wellness programming 23 per cent. Bellaire also said two-way communication has increased 40 per cent over the same time period.

"Law enforcement is a challenging profession that places unique demands on its members. As new challenges present themselves, Windsor police will continue to identify new opportunities to support our members and equip them to serve our communities," Bellaire said.

Rice said hiring more front-line officers would improve the workplace, "so they do feel safe."

"There have been changes, but that move of the needle, per se, for the membership hasn't been significant enough."