We are sharing with OPP Association members for your consideration an ask to participate in a WSIB-funded, University of Toronto led, research project about return-to-work (RTW) in Ontario police services.

The researchers are looking to recruit both civilian and sworn police service members in Ontario, both active and retired, with personal experience with RTW (either as a worker having gone through RTW after an occupational injury, or as someone managing a person who has experience with RTW after an occupational injury) to participate in this research. 

The researchers have received approval from OPP to conduct this research project and are looking to recruit participants. The following organizations are supporting the research; Ontario Provincial Police Association, Police Association of Ontario, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ontario Police Health and Safety Association.

Below is information about the project and the recruitment process. The researchers would appreciate it if you know of anyone this applies to that you forward them the information so they can consider participating. 

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH), based in Toronto, has received funding to develop a free resource that details return-to-work (RTW) practices in Ontario police services. 

To help develop this resource, the research team is recruiting both civilian and sworn police service members in Ontario with personal experience with RTW (either as a worker having gone through RTW after an occupational injury, or as someone managing a person who has experience with RTW after an occupational injury) to participate in this research. 

This study is led by Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd, from the IWH; and is funded by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). 

The IWH is an independent, not-for-profit research organization.  

Participants who volunteer to take part will be asked to participate in a 45-60-minute telephone interview. In the interview, participants will be asked to describe their experience with RTW and to describe the practices and supports available at their workplace.  

Participation in this study is voluntary and participants will receive $50 as compensation for their time, as a gift card or if preferred a donation to an organization of their choice. 

The research team carefully protects the identity of all study participants. The information shared during the interviews will remain strictly confidential and will NOT be shared with workplaces or the WSIB. 

To help with recruiting participants at your police service: simply share the survey link found below, with anyone you think may be interested in participating. This can be an individual who has gone through RTW themselves, or someone who has supported another person with their RTW. 

People who receive this link may then complete a short survey and enter their contact information if they wish to be interviewed for the study. People who receive this link can also forward it to others who they think might be interested:  

The 2-3 minute survey can be completed by clicking here:

To protect participants’ anonymity, you will not know who chooses to take the survey or who ultimately volunteers to participate in an interview. 

Feel free to contact either the project coordinator Morgane Le Pouésard at mlepouesard@iwh.on.ca; (1-416-927-2027 Ext. 2294), or the study lead Dwayne Van Eerd at dvaneerd@iwh.on.ca; (1-416-927-2027 Ext. 2138) with any questions.  

 Thank you for completing the survey if applies to you and for sharing with others who it may apply to. Your time is appreciated.

Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Ontario Provincial Police Association