Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2025) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 156
156
( 2025 )
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York Regional Police prioritizes growth and health
C
hi Bhatt was four
years into his medical
science degree when
his path suddenly
changed. “I realized
medicine wasn’t for me,” he says.
“My dream as a child was to be a
police officer, so I made a decision
that was probably a shock for
my parents and switched.” Bhatt
joined Aurora, Ont.-based York
Regional Police (YRP) 18 years ago
and has never looked back.
He worked as a front-line officer,
and in investigations, major
collisions, training and education,
and road safety before becoming
an inspector on YRP’s professional
leadership and inclusion team.
“It’s been incredible,” he
says. “There are so many career
opportunities at YRP and a
roadmap for members to chart
their development as they move
through the organization. You
can really take ownership of your
career.”
Policing is unusual in that
people often spend their entire
careers at one organization.
“Knowing that, YRP has invested
heavily in leadership development,” Bhatt says. “We worked
to develop our people-first
leadership philosophy, and built a
program to support it.”
Two years ago, YRP partnered
with the Schulich Executive
Education Centre at nearby York
University to create a multi-faceted leadership training program
with different streams for people
at different positions.
“It was customized to make
sure we are developing leaders
who put people first,” Bhatt says.
“Once they complete the program,
they’re able to apply those skills
in the workplace and have a contagious effect on others. It really
helps to build our talent pipeline.”
Jenna Vitale started at YRP as
a 911 operator and recently took
advantage of an opportunity to
work on the modernization of 911
technology as a Next Generation
911 systems specialist. “I wanted
this role so I could help our people
and provide insight into decisions
that impact them,” she says.
Searching for a way to increase
her knowledge of the 911 system,
Vitale found a program providing
certification for emergency
number professionals and asked if
she could apply.
“It was literally a part-time
job for almost a year, and YRP
funded the certification and all
the textbooks and materials,” she
says. “It was stressful to learn the
new technology and also deal with
emergency calls, but YRP fully
supported me.”
“There are so many career
opportunities at YRP and
a roadmap for members
to chart their development
as they move through the
organization. You can really
take ownership of
your career.”
— Chi Bhatt
Inspector, Professional
Leadership and Inclusion
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Employees at YRP can take advantage of the organization’s on-site clinicians, providing support for physical,
mental, social and spiritual health.
Vitale also appreciates the
flexibility she was given when she
came back after her maternity
leave. “YRP offers job sharing, so
I was able to alter my shifts and
coordinate my schedule with my
husband, a police officer with another service,” she says. “It made
such a difference to my home life
and transition back to work, and
I can’t thank the organization
enough for that.”
YRP has a robust wellness
program with six on-site clinicians
to support members’ physical,
mental, social and spiritual health.
“We’ve invested in our people with
respect to health and well-being,”
Bhatt says. “That’s something that
really sets us apart.”
