Post the Oath began as a conversation at a Canada Day barbecue. As the children ran around, a few of us — citizens, serving officers, and retirees — talked about the state of policing in Canada. The topic was trust, or rather, the decline in trust.
Someone asked, half-jokingly, “Can anyone even remember their oath?” After a pause, not one of us could — not even the serving officers among us. Then someone said quietly, “It should be posted in every guardroom.”
That simple, obvious idea became a movement: Post the Oath.
The Forgotten Promise
Every Canadian police officer begins their career by taking an oath — the first and most important act of service. It is a solemn promise to uphold the law faithfully, to serve the people without fear or favour, and to carry out duties with integrity and courage.
Yet few officers ever see those words again. They may serve thirty years and never once again set eyes on the oath that defines their duty and authority.
When the oath reappears, it’s usually as an exhibit in a disciplinary hearing — not as a daily reminder of honour and service.
The very promise that defines a police officer surfaces again only as an accusation — never as inspiration, never as a reminder of the bond and shared duty between the police and the community.
That must change.
The Police Oath of Office is not ceremonial — it is the foundation of lawful policing. Its wording varies across provinces, but the meaning is the same: loyalty to Canada, faithfulness to law, impartial service, and duty to the people.
Ontario Police Oath of Office
“I solemnly swear (affirm) that I will uphold the laws of Ontario and Canada, including the Constitution of Canada, which recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples, and that I will, to the best of my ability, discharge my duties as (a police officer, a First Nation Officer or a special constable, as applicable) faithfully, impartially and according to law. So help me God.”
Without the oath, there is no lawful authority; only power without right. The oath transforms enforcement into service and authority into trust.
Why Posting the Oath Matters
Publicly displaying the Police Oath of Office might seem like a small gesture, but symbols matter.
For officers, it is a mirror of conscience — a visible reminder of duty, integrity, and service under law. For citizens, it is reassurance that the people behind the badge serve the law and the community, not political interests or personal agendas.
When the oath is visible to all, it rebuilds trust. It says something powerful and quiet: “We remember who we serve, how we serve, and why we serve.”
Nearly two hundred years ago, Sir Robert Peel defined the principles of modern policing: “The police are the public, and the public are the police.” Posting the oath helps restore that partnership — one wall, one framed oath at a time.
How the Campaign Works
Post the Oath is a national movement supported by Canadians — citizens, officers, and community leaders. The goal is simple: ensure that every police service in Canada displays the Police Oath of Office where both officers and the public can see it.
Campaign coordinators are now active in Ontario and British Columbia, with more provinces to come. Each local campaign begins with small steps:
· Contact the local Chief of Police or Detachment Commander in writing. (Local always works better than top-down. Have faith in your local Chief of Police or Commander before going to the Police Service Board or elected municipal officials.)
· Request that the Police Oath of Office be publicly displayed in station lobbies, guardrooms, and lunchrooms – and prominently visible in new police memo books.
· Provide the official oath wording for your province or territory (available here with other resources – coming soon!).
· Offer to assist with printing, framing, or coordination – and even fundraising. Although the costs of printing and framing the Police Oath are peanuts compared with the overall law-enforcement budget, be ready to take the lead to provide funding if the Chief or anyone states that budget constraints prevent Posting The Oath.
· Share your success story on social media using #PostTheOath to inspire others.
Compared to most municipal or police expenses, the cost of Post The Oath is almost nothing — yet the impact is profound.
A few framed words can remind an entire community of the promise that binds police and the people.
For Police Leaders
Many Chiefs of Police and senior officers have already expressed interest and support for Post the Oath. This campaign is not political. It strengthens public confidence, reinforces professional standards, and unites officers around the oath they all swore to uphold.
Every Chief of Police knows that police culture is top-down. It begins with leadership that emphasizes and repeats what is important – foundational to the profession. Posting the oath takes five minutes — and its effect lasts a career.
Implementation is simple:
– Choose display locations (lobby, guardroom, lunchroom).
– Use your province’s official oath text.
– Download free printable templates from this site – or have your graphic / print services to craft your own.
– Announce your participation internally and publicly.
Join your colleagues and make your service one of the first in Canada to Post the Oath.
Resources (Coming Soon!)
– Provincial Police Oaths – Full text for every province and territory.
– Campaign Toolkit – Posters, sample letters, and media templates.
– Chief’s Implementation Guide – Step-by-step for police services.
– Contact / Start a Campaign – Reach our national coordinators.
Join the Campaign
Together, Canadians — citizens and police — can restore visibility to the promise that defines lawful policing.
Together, let’s Post the Oath and renew the promise of policing in Canada.
“The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.” Sir Robert Peel, 1829
Photo Credit: Greater Sudbury Police Service