THUNDER BAY - Parole and probation officers in Northern Ontario are receiving new tools to help keep them safe when working in remote areas.
The provincial government announced on Tuesday that parole and probation officers working in Northern Ontario will receive monitoring and communications devices.
The devices will provide two-way voice and text communication, as well as fall and no-motion detection, silent alarm activation, and missed check-ins to notify emergency personnel in the event of a crisis situation.
“Each action we take to protect the safety of frontline corrections workers is an important step forward in strengthening public safety in our communities," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a statement.
"The deployment of these new safety devices is part of our government's enduring commitment to provide probation and parole officers with the tools, resources and training they need to do their jobs safely and effectively."
The province has invested $85,000 in the initiative that is designed to promote safety and well being for parole and probation officers working in isolation.
These individuals often do not have access to dispatch emergency services, but the new devices use direct satellite communication, location detection, and automatic incident detection.
A pilot program was launched in fall 2019 and the new devices will replace dated equipment used by officers in the field.
