Ontario is making the basic constable training program at the Ontario Police College near Aylmer tuition-free.
Premier Doug Ford says the government is also expanding enrolment by as many as 550 recruits to try to get more police officers into communities and help push back against what he calls a rise in crime.
The province notes that 70 recruits per cohort will be added to the basic constable training program, up to 550, with four training cohorts per year instead of three.
Ford says he wants to see more “boots on the ground” to help push back against what he calls a rise in crime.
Ontario is also planning to eliminate the requirement for post-secondary education to become a police officer.
