Volunteer Crisis Responder

The Team you are Joining – Who We Are:

The Halton Regional Police Service contributes to the safety and well-being of more than 620,000 residents in Halton Region which includes the Towns of Milton, Halton Hills and Oakville, and the City of Burlington. It is our continual pursuit of excellence that keeps Halton at the forefront of policing and as a leader in the public safety arena. Through upstream approaches, partner collaboration, training, community engagement and a strong focus on inclusion and diversity, we have been able to maintain Halton’s status as the safest Canadian municipality with a population of 100,000 or more. This is exemplified through deep collaboration between our growing team of over 1,100 members and our residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, and municipal governments.

About the Role – How you will Contribute to the Service:

Role:  Volunteer Crisis Responders (2-Year Commitment)

Make a Meaningful Difference in Your Community at Halton Regional Police Service – Victim Services Unit

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Victim Services Unit is currently seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team as Volunteer Crisis Responders. This is your opportunity to make a real difference by supporting victims when they need it most.

Our Volunteer Crisis Responders provide immediate, on-scene assistance at incidents, hospitals, or other locations where trauma has occurred as well as telephone support when required. These situations may involve sudden deaths, assaults, robberies, or serious motor vehicle collisions. Volunteers play a critical role in delivering emotional support, offering crisis intervention, explaining police and/or coroner procedures, and connecting individuals to appropriate community resources.

Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, but all share a common commitment to helping others. Through empathy, communication, and practical support, you will bring comfort and reassurance to individuals experiencing crisis.

If you are passionate about supporting those impacted by crime or trauma and want to contribute to a culture of compassion, care, and safety in your community, we encourage you to apply. This is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact while developing valuable skills and experiences.

Join us – and feel the pride of putting victims first.

Here’s what you will get to do:

You will:

• Work alongside police officers and community groups to collectively respond to victims in our community through immediate crisis intervention and follow up support offered through the Victim Services Unit (VSU), Crisis Response Team.
• Have the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

 

• Foster hope and create healing opportunities by offering kindness and compassion during individuals' darkest moments.
• Provide emotional support both in person and on the phone.
• Bear witness to pain and trauma, which can be challenging yet deeply rewarding.
• Experience both personal and professional growth through meaningful challenges.

What is required for this role: 

Your Devoted Commitment:

• We ask volunteers to commit to two (2) years of volunteer service with Halton Regional Police Service. Full training will be provided.
• Attendance at every session of the mandatory training program, as outlined in the schedule below, is required.
• You will be required to dedicate a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours per month to the on-call schedule. You will have the freedom to select dates/times that work for your schedule. During your shift you will be on-call from your home but must strive to respond to calls in the region within 40 minutes of receiving the call.
• You will be required to attend mandatory monthly meetings, in addition to on-call hours.

The Selection Process:

Step A:  Please submit your online application, which should include your resume along with a cover letter. Your cover letter must address the following three points:

• An introduction of yourself and provide any relevant education, experience, or training that you believe would make you a strong candidate for the position of Volunteer Crisis Responder with the Halton Regional Police Service.
• Your motivation for applying to this role.
• Please describe a commitment you made to something longer-term (other than paid employment) where you saw it through from start to finish. Specifically, provide an example that demonstrates your ability to commit to a project or responsibility for an extended period of time, and explain how this experience has prepared you to fully commit to the required training sessions and the two-year term.

 

Step B: Mandatory- Volunteer Crisis Responder recruitment/informational session:

 

As part of the application/selection process, and to be considered for the role, you are required to attend “ONE” of the following recruitment/Information sessions:

 

• Thursday, July 23, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Location: Halton Regional Police Headquarters, 2485 North Service Rd W, Oakville, ON L6M 3H8

 

• Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Location: Halton Regional Police Headquarters, 2485 North Service Rd W, Oakville, ON L6M 3H8

 

• Monday, September 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM, Location: Halton Regional Police Headquarters, 2485 North Service Rd W, Oakville, ON L6M 3H8

 

Please note: Registration to attend the session is not required.

 

If you successfully complete Steps A and B of the selection process, you may be invited to participate in an in-person interview

 

Minimum Qualifications:

 

To be considered for this volunteer position, you must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
• Be 21 years of age or older.

• Be a resident of Halton Region or must strive to respond to crisis calls (on-call) in the region within 40 minutes of receiving the call.

• Have successfully completed at least four (4) years of secondary school education or equivalent.
• Not have been convicted of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been fully granted.
• Be a fully licensed driver in Ontario with a clean driving record.
• Have access to internet / e-mail and a cell phone.
• The ability to speak a second language would be an asset.
• A diploma or University degree in social work, psychology or sociology would be an asset.

Note: The successful applicant will need to pass a background check to the satisfaction of the Service which will include reference checks with previous employers, verification of educational achievements, and a criminal background screen.

How to be Considered for This Exciting Opportunity:

Please apply online with a resume and a detailed cover letter as outlined above. This should be forwarded in confidence to our Staffing Advisor, Human Resource Services, quoting Competition #04-V-25 by September 17, 2025.  All applications must be submitted to the Service’s on-line system to be considered for this volunteer opportunity.

1. To be considered for this opportunity, you can cut and paste the following link into your web browser https://haltonpolice.talentpoolbuilder.com/
2. Click on the job title “Volunteer Crisis Responder”. Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage of that specific job posting.  Click on “Apply Now”.
3. You must apply on-line with a resume and a detailed letter outlining your experience and skills in relation to the position and response to the questions listed in this job posting.

**Various skills assessments may be administered as part of the selection criteria.

The Halton Regional Police Service strives to be an accessible and inclusive organization.  We are committed to fairness and equity in employment and our recruitment and selection practices.  We encourage and welcome applications from all who may contribute to the further diversification of our organization. Should you require an accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and/or the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) during any stage of the recruitment process, we will work with you to remove any barriers. Please do not hesitate to let us know by contacting us for assistance at civilianrecruiting@haltonpolice.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining our organization.   Only those who are selected to advance through the recruitment process will be contacted by our team.