Exceptional local police heroes to be recognized in Ontario

The Police Association of Ontario has opened nominations for its 11th annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards, accepting entries from Feb. 2 to March 6, 2026, across five award categories; winners will be announced at the association's May 28 awards ceremony in Windsor.

The Police Association of Ontario has launched the 11th-annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards to highlight local police officers and civilian employees who go above and beyond in their communities. The nomination period runs from Feb. 2 to March 6, 2026. The program honors acts both on and off duty and recognises sustained community contributions as well as service over the past decade. The PAO said last year’s winners illustrated courage, compassion and leadership among Ontario’s police personnel. Key details: - Nominations are open from Feb. 2 to March 6, 2026. - Five award categories are offered: On-duty Difference Maker — Uniform Officer; On-duty Difference Maker — Civilian Police Service Employee; The Extra Mile Award; Community Role Model; and the Police Hero Honour Roll Award. - Award recipients will be announced at the PAO’s annual general meeting during the President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Windsor, Ont. - PAO president Mark Baxter said the program celebrates more than a decade of recognizing above-and-beyond service by sworn and civilian police personnel. - Nominations are being collected through PoliceHero.ca and the association provided contact information and details for previous recipients. Summary: The awards provide a formal way to acknowledge individual acts and long-term community contributions by Ontario police officers and civilian staff. The nomination window closes March 6, 2026, and recipients will be named at the PAO’s May 28 awards ceremony in Windsor.