The Peterborough Police Service “Chief For A Day” program is returning in 2026.
The contest is the chance for those in Grade 5 to have the opportunity to experience a day as Police Chief for the Peterborough Police Service.
Contest Details:
- Who Can Enter: Students in Grade 5 at a school in the City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield and Township of Cavan-Monaghan for the 2025/2026 school year
- Essay Topic: If you were Chief for a day, what would you do?
- Word Limit: 300-500 words
- Deadline: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The week of April 7th – 10th, 2026, the authors of the top five essays will be asked to attend the Peterborough Police Station and read their winning essays before a panel of judges including Chief Betts.
Prize:
- Serve as Police Chief for a Day on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026. You will be fitted with a full Peterborough Police Service Uniform and experience a day in the life of our Police Chief, including being sworn in, meeting the officers and different units, as well as presenting your essay to the Peterborough Police Service Board at their regular meeting. Further opportunity to attend the Community Open House at the Police Station on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
How to Enter:
- Write your essay: Be creative and thoughtful and be sure to include specific ideas.
- Submit your essay: Send your completed essay to chiefofpoliceoffice@peterborough.ca Please include your full name, the name of your school, the city the school is in and the school board the student attends.
- Deadline: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Meet our 2025 Chief For A Day:
Peterborough Police Service Excited to Announce the Winner of the Chief For A Day Contest
Congratulations to Izzy Condon from Kaawaate East City Public School in Peterborough. Chief Stuart Betts recently called Izzy in her class to tell her the good news.
Thank you to all students who submitted essays for this contest. We received about 50 entries from students in Grade 5 classes in the Peterborough area.
From those essays, six were chosen as finalists. On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the finalists visited the Peterborough Police Station and read their essay in front of the Chief and a panel of judges. Finalists also received a tour of the station and a chance to sit in the Chief’s chair.
Izzy will serve as Chief For A Day on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Watch how her day went: https://youtu.be/SIPHg5Aiqu4
