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Toronto Police Service and Toronto Police Association address parking enforcement officer safety

July 23, 2024, Toronto, Ont. – The Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the Toronto Police Association (TPA) have come together to express their concern for the health and wellbeing of their members amidst the rising number of assaults against Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs).

As of July 18, there have been 27 assaults on PEOs, an increase of four compared to the same time last year.

“One assault on a Parking Enforcement Officer is one too many,” said Chief Myron Demkiw. “The Toronto Police Service does not tolerate acts of violence towards our members or any member of the community. Parking Enforcement Officers have an important and challenging role to keep Toronto moving. It is my priority to do everything possible to ensure their safety.”

Parking Enforcement Officers are civilian members of the Service. If someone assaults a PEO, they face the same charge as assaulting a sworn police officer. The Assault Peace Officer charge can lead to imprisonment and fines; or a criminal record that can prevent travel and job opportunities.

There are 370 uniformed civilian members in the Parking Enforcement Unit, who cover Toronto’s 158 neighbourhoods, keeping the city’s roads and people safe.

“Our members go to work every day, keeping our streets safe and our roads moving, and they deserve to go home to their families unscathed,” said TPA President Jon Reid. “It seems every week we are learning of another Parking Enforcement Officer being cursed at, spat on, pushed, or punched. In some cases, the same member has been assaulted more than once. And in rare cases, thankfully, they require medical treatment for their injuries. This must stop. If you do get a parking notice, fight the ticket, not our officers.”

Among their many tasks, PEOs help recover stolen vehicles, provide language interpretation, emergency support, crime management and prevention, as well as assisting with corporate and local community-policing initiatives.