Dr. Iain Britton interviews Sergeant Wendy Drummond, Auxiliary Coordinator for the Toronto Police Service, about the force’s innovative approach to police volunteering. With nearly 300 auxiliary volunteers, Toronto’s model blends crime prevention, community engagement, and real-world policing experience.
From city-wide events like Pride and Caribana to neighbourhood festivals and CPTED training, these volunteers are playing a growing role in keeping Toronto safe—while also strengthening public trust and offering valuable experience to aspiring officers.
Whether you’re a policing professional, policy advisor, or community leader, this interview offers insight into a mature, effective auxiliary model that bridges generations, builds capacity, and centres on inclusive public safety.
Takeaways
- Toronto Police have nearly 300 auxiliary volunteers supporting policing.
- Volunteers assist in crime prevention and community engagement city-wide.
- The auxiliary program serves as a pipeline into full-time policing careers.
- All volunteers receive professional training, including CPTED certification.
- Recruits range in age from 18 to 88, reflecting wide community diversity.
- Auxiliary members build trust through visibility at public events and festivals.
- Volunteers bring valuable languages, life skills, and cultural knowledge.
- The program balances structure with ongoing input from its volunteers.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & Meet Sgt. Wendy Drummond
00:44 – What Toronto’s Police Volunteers Do
03:01 – Training and Crime Prevention Focus
06:40 – Who Becomes an Auxiliary Volunteer?
08:48 – Skills, Diversity & Community Impact
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