Ex-Windsor cops say they quit because of poor morale, lack of support and 'crazy pace' of the job

Three Windsor police officers tell CBC News their decision to leave in the last few years had a lot to do with morale being at an "all-time low," not feeling supported by the senior leadership team and the "crazy pace" of the job.

Part of that is because as call volumes increase for front-line patrol, the number of officers to respond to them isn't keeping pace.

In 2023, there were 149,232 calls for service with 296 active officers, according to data obtained by CBC News through a Freedom of Information Request.

By comparison, there were far fewer calls for service in 2019 — 125,186 — with 304 officers on staff to respond, slightly more than there is now.

Windsor police said in a statement that it doesn't have a retention challenge, and a new survey shows employee wellness is trending upward. 

WATCH: Windsor Police Association President Kent Rice talks openly about a variety of issues that exist at the service:

But other former Windsor officers say these internal issues have not been improving.

"Morale was at an all time low. It still is," the officer said. "Why is that? I would say a lack of resources as far as officers working. There just aren't enough cops on the road. We've been asked to do more with less for years and at some point there is a breaking point."

"What's the point?" another officer said. "I can go do this job somewhere else for the same pay in a different city, or I can get out of policing altogether, making more money with much less stress. It wears you down."

Another said lack of support from management makes an already stressful job worse.

"No one is ever calling the police because they're having a good day and they want to thank you for your service," the officer explained. "They're calling you because things are going awful, so every interaction you have with somebody starts off as negative and knowing that management isn't there to support you.

"It's a little disheartening."

CBC News isn't revealing the names or ranks of the officers as they fear retaliation or reprisal. But they hope speaking out will improve the work environment for their former colleagues who still work there.

The Windsor Police Association says it's "unprecedented" that 12 officers left in 2023, and two so far this year.