Family members protested outside Toronto Police headquarters today to voice their frustration over the conditions their relatives work under at the force.
Around 80 people, including wives, husbands, partners and children of Toronto cops gathered in an effort to increase the number of frontline officers.
Organizer Jelena Leung says the pressure on her husband - a Toronto Police officer - and other cops raises concern about not only their safety, but public safety.
She had the opportunity to make her concerns heard loud and clear when Police Chief Mark Saunders came outside to hear the protesters out.
“I’m here today because my husband’s life is at risk every time he goes to work,” Leung told Chief Saunders.
"I see the state he comes home in every day. I see the state he goes to work.
"If you’re telling me that’s not an officer safety concern, that’s not a public safety concern, then I’m not sure who you’re listening to."
"I’m always concerned about officer safety,” Saunders responded. “If you look at our numbers, I clearly show that and prove that through the numbers as well."
Saunders agreed to meet with Leung to hear out her concerns in the near future.
The protest comes amid ongoing conflict between the Toronto Police Association and the chief over a perceived shortage of staff.
It's part of an overall plan to modify the force.
The Toronto Police Association also launched an online vote last week for its members, to express whether or not they still had confidence in Chief Saunders.