OPP Officers to Wear Regular Uniforms at Remembrance Day Services

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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A recent OPP directive has ordered all officers to wear their regular uniforms rather than dress uniforms at Remembrance Day ceremonies for safety reasons. The announcement was made in light of two Canadian soldiers’ death, one in Ottawa and one in Quebec, at the hands of terrorists.

OPP Sgt. Peter Leon mentioned on Wednesday that “the change of dress is basically an internal directive given the event that transpired in the last couple of weeks. It is for the safety of our officers.” Leon explained that there are no specific threats but “there is nothing I can speak to, but there have been threats made on our soil in the past. It’s regrettable we can’t wear our dress uniforms to show our respect for the sacrifices of our veterans.” It was added that “our focus is on officer safety. If there was a situation that transpired, officers could react and respond and protect citizens.”

On the other hand, an executive with the Ajax Royal Canadian Legion, Mike O’Hara, alleged that the uniform decision is “horrendous.” O’Hara alleged that “I’m having a hard time with that. I understand the need for safety because we don’t need anyone else being hurt.” Meanwhile, President of Toronto Police Association, Mike McCormack, stressed over the needs of a broader policy. He alleged that “there is a changing landscape around terrorism and we have to ensure officer safety isn’t compromised,” adding that “officers aren’t just going to be targeted at work. We are assessing things on a day-to-day basis.”