OPPA Director Rob Jamieson attended the Solicitor General | Solliciteur général press conference announcing Ontario is cracking down on auto theft at Halton Regional Police Service in Oakville.
Pictured is the Ontario Provincial Police Association, Toronto Police Association & the Halton Regional Police Association with Solicitor General Michael S. Kerzner, Attornery General Doug Downey & Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
To learn more about the announcement click on the Ontario Government Solicitor General News Releases.
Quote from OPP Association President John Cerasuolo
Our OPP Association members thank the Government of Ontario for increased funding for the OPP led Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team, community safety grants targeting auto theft, and the creation of a new Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team. Our police officers and communicators working on the front lines are dealing with auto theft and organized crime challenges more than ever before. Thank you to our front line members, who are dealing with often dangerous situations amid staffing shortages, our specialized team members and our law enforcement partners for their ongoing commitment to public safety.
On Friday, April 28, the OPP Association recognizes the National Day of Mourning – joining institutions across Canada, and more than 100 countries worldwide in remembering those who have been injured, become ill or who have died due to a workplace tragedy.
On this Day of Mourning, education and understanding of the significance and history of the day is important. The date was chosen in 1984, when the Canadian Labour Congress proclaimed the Day to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the day the first Ontario Worker’s Compensation Act was approved by the government (1914). The Day of Mourning was enshrined in national legislation by an Act of Parliament on February 1, 1991.
The health and safety of OPP Association members is our pledge and priority as they serve communities across Ontario with bravery and integrity every day.
With the loss of eight officers killed in Canada since the fall, we have witnessed large displays of solidarity from our members, members of the public and fellow first responders as we continue to work tirelessly to ensure our members have access to the best support infrastructure possible.
Offering mental health services for OPP Association members, the Encompas Mental Health Program continues to grow offering top-level support and services for our members and their families 24/7, 365 days a year. With over 2265 individuals registered since its inception, 30% of whom are OPP Association family members, Encompas is dedicated to removing barriers and continually enhancing and paving the road towards mental wellness for our members.
The OPP Association continually collaborates and works with stakeholders and partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our members and their families always remains our highest priority.
“Mourn the Dead, Fight for the Living” is the slogan for the Day of Mourning and reflects the importance of remembering those who have lost their lives, but is also a strong reminder of the need to press for improvements in health and safety in our workplaces.
Canadian flags on Parliament Hill and at Queen’s Park fly at half-staff on April 28. The day is traditionally marked by public ceremonies, wearing black and yellow ribbons, lighting candles, observing a moment of silence at 11 a.m. and sharing stories about how workplace tragedies have touched lives.
On April 28, please take time to reflect on the services performed by thousands of workers who make up the workforce in our communities and remember those that have paid the ultimate price in doing so.
~OPP Association President John Cerasuolo and the Board of Directors~
The murder of our OPP Provincial Constable Greg Pierzchala allegedly by an offender unlawfully at large after being released on bail was top of mind today for OPP Association President John Cerasuolo and VP David Sabatini as they attended the Premier’s press conference in Toronto on measures being taken to ensure charged persons released on bail are in compliance with bail conditions.
The grants will provide the necessary financial resources to support active engagement and monitoring of bail compliance. The ability of police services to utilize those financial resources will be limited by ongoing staffing shortages and competing organizational priorities. The efficacy of this initiative must be tracked with a view to providing long-term stable funding to engage in this important program that will enhance public safety, officer safety and confidence in the criminal justice system. This is a good start.
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo
Click here for the Ontario Government Premier’s Office Press Release.
OPPA President John Cerasuolo was present at the Premier’s press conference this morning announcing an elimination of tuition for new recruits at the Ontario Police College retroactive to Jan/2023 intake class. The now elimated cost of tuition for the 3 month mandatory Ontario Police College training course was $15,450. Apply for OPP now! Opp.ca/careers.
Read Ontario Government Press Release
Watch press conference on Premier’s Youtube account
OPPA President John Cerasuolo was present at the Premier's press conference announcing an elimination of tuition for new recruits at Ontario Police College retroactive to Jan/2023 intake class. The now elimated tuition for the 3 month mandatory OPC training course was $15,450. 1/ pic.twitter.com/3q8i9FaqwX
— OPPA (OPP Association) (@OPPAssociation) April 25, 2023
To listen click on player below or on image above for links to all podcasting platforms
The Greg Pierzchala Run is Saturday May 13, 2023 in Barrie, Ontario Canada. All are welcome.
OPP Provincial Constable Carla Birnie is the Family Liaison Officer for the family of OPP Provincial Constable Greg Pierzchala, who was killed in the line of duty in Haldimand County, Ontario on December 27, 2022. Tara McClenaghan is the Physiological Health Sciences Coordinator of Field Operations Command for the Ontario Provincial Police.
Carla and Tara join the 10-5 Podcast to speak about the Greg Pierzchala Run that is happening in Greg’s hometown on Saturday May 13, 2023 starting at 1pm from Heritage Park, 5 Simcoe Street, Barrie, Ontario.
Registration is open until May 11th online and is $40, which includes a specially designed for this event memorial t-shirt.
Additional t-shirts are available for $25 each.
Everyone is welcome to join in the event in whatever way they wish to participate.
For more information contact John Zurakowski by email at holyspiritministry4youth@gmail.com. Online registration is via the Running Room website.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
Mindset Matters – Where Shared Experiences Connect People
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
April 26th, 2023 – 1000 – 1100 ET
Featuring OPP Inspector Derek Banks – Derek’s Mental Health Journey and Return to Work
About the Speaker:
Derek Banks started his career with the OPP in 1995. He has served at the Mount Forest, Orillia, and Huronia West Detachments. He spent 16 years with the Emergency Response Team leaving in 2015 to return to general patrol duties as a platoon Sergeant. Derek took a leave of absence in 2016 to focus on his personal wellbeing. Since returning to duty, Derek has become involved with Peer Support work, mentoring and shares his story with the goal of eliminating the stigma attached to Mental Health. He is currently working in the Field Support Bureau as the Inspector of Specialized Field Resources.
About the Session:
Please join us on Wednesday April 26th from 10am – 11am for a conversation with Inspector Derek Banks as he courageously shares his lived experience of personal mental health challenges so that others can know they are not alone. It is his goal to destigmatize mental health, advocate for increased mental health awareness and support, and to share what has worked for him in his recovery journey and return to work.
Visit www.encompascare.ca to learn more.
Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time. Questions will be managed through the text Q&A which are sent only to the hosts – Dalton Associates. They will either answer those questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant who asked the question, or privately through the text function.
All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA compliant version of Zoom Webinar.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact encompas@daltonassociates.ca
Listen on player below or on podcasting platform of your choice. Click on image for links.
OPP Rainy River District Sergeant Ann McEwen (Fort Frances, Ontario) is the guest host of 10-5 The Official Podcast of the OPP Association for Episode 91, and interviews Thunder Bay Paramedic Pat Dixon about PTSD. A number of issues are discussed including the evolution of how employers deal with mental health challenges in the first responder community, the barriers for many to reach out out for help, and many tips and tricks to assist in recovery to live a fulfilled life.
Listen to this episode of the podcast on player above. Listen to all episodes on our OPPA public website or click on the image above to listen on Google, Apple, Spotify and all major podcasting platforms.
The OPP Association offers 24/7 support to members and their families through the Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program by calling 1-866-794-9117 or online at EncompasCare.ca.
This episode of the 10-5 podcast is produced and hosted by Scott Mills and Emily Brown.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
Today is the 3rd Anniversary of the Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program, powered by Dalton Associates. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and reflect on the incredible impact this program has had on our members’ mental health and wellness.
We have had many highlights in our third year (as of Feb 28th), including:
- 620 New Registrations in the 3rd year of the Program
- 2,265 Individuals Registered since March 30th 2020
- 39% of those reaching out are Family Member
As we look to the future, we are committed to continuing our support and program growth, and we applaud our members who have helped spread the word about the benefits of caring for one’s mental health.
Exciting new program updates include:
- Our Member’s Only Portal Resources Library was made available to Family Members – the Portal Resources Library includes curated self-directed tools, courses, podcasts, and articles. AND, coming soon we are introducing a Youth and Family Resources section
- The Member Portal was upgraded to be accessible independently for those who preferred to navigate these resources independent of Care Management support – further enhancements are coming to support a more fully robust self-directed portal
- A three-part Sleep Series was delivered by Sleep Expert Dr. Glenn Landry and is available on our Member’s Only Portal
- Participation in the Pre-retirement Seminars sharing what to expect and prepare for psychologically emotionally and socially as members contemplate, and prepare for a successful retirement
- Our monthly Mental Health Communication Series continues under a new brand to better capture the essence of this series – “Mindset Matters – Where Shared Experiences Connect People”
We remain dedicated to enhancing this program to better serve our members by removing barriers to accessing high-quality care, easing service navigation, and supporting the journey towards mental wellness. We look forward to the future success of the Encompas program and supporting even more members on their journey to better mental health and wellness.
OPP Association in Edmonton for Regimental Funeral March 27, 2023
OPP Association members are in Edmonton today to honour Edmonton Police Service Constable Bretty Ryan and Constable Travis Jordan at a Regimental Funeral. The two officers were shot and killed in the line of duty March 16, 2023 in Edmonton.
Watch Regimental Funeral Livestream Monday March 27, 2023 from Edmonton Alberta for Constables Brett Ryan and Constable Travis Jordan on Youtube starting at 11:45amMDT (1:45pmEDT)
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo joined CP24 News on Sunday March 26, 2023 to discuss the impact of line of duty deaths on our police family.
In 1991, now retired OPP Provincial Constable Scott MacLeod answered a distress call about a man with a gun threatening suicide. Just another addict going to jail was his first thought. Little did Scott know his involvement would be the beginning of a life-transforming event for Joe Roberts. The outcome was positive both for Joe and the police officer. Joe credits MacLeod with saving his life.
Listen to the podcast on the player above, on the OPPA Blog OPPA.ca/Media or on Apple, Google, Spotify and more podcasting platforms. Links to other platforms here.
Background:
Joe feels there needs to be more awareness of positive outcomes between people in mental health crisis and the police and has reached out to the OPP Association to tell his story, in an effort to help bridge that gap in any way he can. This podcast is the beginning of that outreach to create awareness of the good that police do to defuse situations involving people in mental health crisis. A social media campaign on OPP Association socials with Joe is planned in the near future.
Since Joe’s mental health crisis, he has since gone on to become a successful CEO and live a productive life. He is passionate about giving back to the community and raising awareness about mental health and homelessness.
Joe was the driving force behind “The Push for Change”. Joe began pushing a shopping cart across Canada to raise awareness and dollars to end youth homelessness. This national trek started May 1, 2016, from St. John’s, Newfoundland and ended September 29, 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia: a 9,064 km, 17-month journey. The shopping cart is a symbol of Joe’s transformation from youth homelessness. The shopping cart for Joe represents the outcome we are trying to avoid for future generations of young people.
OPP Association Director, Rob Jamieson was among the many OPPA and OPP members, along with members of the public, who walked alongside Joe on the Push For Change.
In this podcast episode Rob interviews Joe about his life changing experience with an OPP officer, when his life challenges began, who inspired him to change, and the Push for Change, an event that Joe is carrying on today with his continued awareness and outreach.
If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or topics that can be shared celebrating the good work of our membership in our OPPA magazine “Beyond the Badge” (must be signed in as a member to OPPA website to view), please email communications@oppa.ca