Veterans who are unsheltered and coming into contact with Cobourg police officers could get some unexpected help after the launch of a new program recently.
The Military Veteran Wellness Program announced on Aug. 20 will train frontline officers to identify those who are unsheltered or facing a mental health crisis.
Officers will have the necessary awareness to better recognize those veterans in trouble. Then, it gives the officers the skills to build rapport with the person and a formal path to helping the veteran access essential social services delivered through existing agencies.
The Toronto Police Military Veterans Association, the Royal Canadian Legion, Veteran Affairs Canada, and the Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program developed the initiative. Its goal is to enhance support for military veterans by training law enforcement officers across Canada. It was launched in 2022.
Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf said this is an important tool for police.
“By providing specialized training and resources, we are better equipped to address the unique challenges veterans face, ensuring they receive the dignity, respect, and support they deserve. This initiative ultimately contributes to a safer, more compassionate community,” he said in a prepared statement.
When an officer comes into contact with a person they believe is a military veteran, they can offer to refer the individual to an agency for support through a Military Veteran Assistance Form. The agency will contact the veteran and provide a case worker, advocate, and peer assistance.
Lisa Munday, a spokesperson for the Cobourg police, said in an interview that training is already underway, and all officers will complete the courses by Oct. 31. The courses are done virtually, so it is easily accessible for officers, she said.
The course involves formal and informal training on the tools and how to connect with veterans the officers might encounter.
Munday said several officers currently on the force have a military background.
“I don’t have an exact number, but there are quite a few of them who have come from a military background. So we’re quite proud to have those who have served and continue to serve and have come into a police force. This is not unusual for police services,” she said.
Munday said the program is similar to existing programs within the Cobourg Police, like the MHeart program, which pairs officers with mental health workers, and the Homeless Addiction Resource Program, where an officer interacts with unsheltered people to assist them in finding resources for support.
Munday said the police are not aware of veterans currently living unsheltered in the community. However, with the program in place, it may help identify these people more easily.
In 2019, veterans in Canada represented 1.6 percent of 1,905 people who used shelters, according to Statistics Canada in its Homelessness Data Snapshot. The report indicates the total number of veterans experiencing homelessness could be higher because many do not access emergency shelters.
