Nancy MacDonald and Shelley Atkinson, both widows of police officers killed in the line of duty, honoured their husbands, and were joined by Police Service representatives and Police Association representatives, including Ontario Provincial Police Association Vice President David Sabatini at a Ministry of the Solicitor General of Ontario press conference giving police more resources to monitor and enforce bail conditions at the Durham Regional Police Service Education and Training Centre in Whitby on Thursday January 11, 2024.
The following are details as released in a new release by Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
| NEWS RELEASE Ontario Putting More Repeat Violent Offenders Behind Bars Province giving police more resources to monitor and enforce bail conditions January 11, 2024 Ministry of the Solicitor General |
| WHITBY — As part of the province’s plan to protect communities, support victims of crime and keep people safe, the Ontario government is investing $24 million over three years to help prevent repeat and violent offenders from committing serious crimes while out on bail. “It is unacceptable that repeat and violent offenders are committing serious crimes while out on bail,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “By giving police the tools they need to track and arrest offenders who violate their bail conditions, our government is helping to ensure Ontario is one of the safest jurisdictions in Canada.” The investment is being delivered through the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program and will help police services establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals. It will also support new technology for a provincewide bail compliance monitoring system. The BCWA Grant program is part of a $112 million investment to strengthen the province’s bail system and ensure high-risk and repeat violent offenders comply with their bail conditions. Other measures include: The creation of a Bail Compliance Unit within the OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad The establishment of Intensive Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams within the court system A new provincewide bail compliance dashboard to help monitor high-risk offenders with the most accurate data possible The BCWA Grant program will support 17 municipal police services, four First Nations police services and 12 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) services. Quotes “We are proud of the work we have done in collaboration with Toronto on the bail dashboard and appreciate the Ontario government’s investment to expand it across Ontario. The sustained success of the dashboard and bail compliance initiatives will come from the continued support and investments to deliver and grow this important community safety program.” – Chief Peter Moreira Durham Regional Police Service “The Police Association of Ontario represents over 28,000 police service personnel that service 45 communities provincewide. For years, members have been raising issues with Canada’s bail framework and how it was failing to prioritize the safety of our communities. The Government of Ontario’s continued support for increased bail compliance and monitoring will allow police to better ensure violent offenders out on bail are unable to commit further crimes and allow officers to continue to keep our communities safe.” – Mark Baxter President, Police Association of Ontario “Violent crimes committed by repeat offenders and individuals released on bail pose a significant risk to public and officer safety. The alarming level of re-offending, especially violence towards police in the execution of their duties, drives home the need for change. The Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program will enhance monitoring and tracking of those out on bail who pose the highest risk of committing further criminal acts and make our communities safer. Everyone in the province can get behind that.” – Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie 1st Vice-President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police “The City of Toronto, along with communities across Ontario, continue to deal with a troubling number of incidents of gun and gang violence, many involving individuals who are out on bail. We’ve heard from community members and organizations who have called for coordination between police, community supports, city resources and all levels of government to address this issue. This funding will support the initiatives our Service is undertaking in the area of bail compliance to ensure these high-risk individuals don’t have the opportunity to reoffend. I would like to thank the Ontario government for continuing to support police services across Ontario and the victims of these crimes.” – Chief Myron Demkiw Toronto Police Service |
Pictured: (L-R) Jon Reid, President Toronto Police Association, Nancy MacDonald (widow of Sudbury Police Constable Joey MacDonald), Mark Baxter, President Police Association of Ontario, Shelley Atkinson (widow of Windsor Police Constable John Atkinson), Michael Kerzner (Ontario Solicitor General), Rob O’Quinn (York Regional Police Association President), Andrew Tummonds (Durham Regional Police Association), John Brooks (Barrie Police Association) and David Sabatini (VP Ontario Provincial Police Association)
Congratulations to Eden Food for Change on raising more than $78,000 to supply food to people in need this holiday season. On Sunday December 3, 2023 the Ontario Provincial Police Association Branch 4 and the Mississauga Detachment of the OPP were honoured to support the Eden Food for Change “Brunch with Santa” event in Mississauga as a silver sponsor along with our community partners, Peel Paramedic Union, Peel Regional Police Association, Mississauga Fire Fighters Association., and many more community sponsors. The event was a huge success. Special thank you to Imran Hassan from the Board of Directors of Eden Food for Change for leading this event, and Branch 4 Vice President Dan Pyrah, Branch 4 Executive Director Patrick Chatelain, Mississauga OPP Sgt Reggie Dava and Milton Offender Transport Unit Jaspal Singh for leading the support for the OPP Association. More pics posted on the Ontario Provincial Police Association Facebook page.
OPPA Director Lynn Neale was honoured to attend the OPC Recognition Ceremony and March Past today on behalf of Ontario Provincial Police Association. This morning she presented the OPPA Student Speaker Award to class speaker OPP Constable Sankalp Gupta. This afternoon BCT classes 2322-2332 were celebrated with 548 successful recruits from 41 police services across Ontario with keynote speaker OPP Commissioner Carrique, Michael S. Kerzner, Mario Di Tommaso, OOM, CMM III and fellow Association leaders Mark Baxter, Tyler Callaghan, MBA, CAE, Rick Robson and our OPPA CAO Lisa Shipley.
The OPP Association is sharing this GoFundMe for our OPPA member, OPP Provincial Constable Dylan MacKinnon and his family as Dylan fights cancer. Click image for link to donate. Below is the text of the GoFundMe.
Dear Family, Friends, and the Policing and Law Enforcement Community
Our names are Ben (one of Dylan’s best friends) and Jessee (brother of Dylan’s spouse Ashley), and we are starting this fundraiser to help support Dylan’s journey against Cancer.
For 28 year old, Dylan MacKinnon, a police officer with the Ontario Provincial Police Service, working on the Emergency Response Team, who spent the last 7 years serving and protecting his community, recently new homeowners with his loving spouse Ashley, and dog parent to a cute little French Bulldog named Ellie, this is usually a time of optimism, excitement, and new opportunities. However, for Dylan and his family, this year marked the beginning of Dylan’s fight for his life.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Dylan knows what a genuinely good person he is. Dylan is smart, funny, respectful, and he always goes above and beyond for others, his team, and the community.
In the beginning of October 2023, Dylan had started experiencing lower back pain which had turned into severe nerve pain.
Following this, he developed a lump on his neck and lost a significant amount of weight. After numerous doctor visits, he was sent to get ultrasounds done, however, his pain became so intolerable, Dylan attended St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department and was admitted on November 20th, 2023.
On November 23rd, Dylan and his family received the worst possible news, which became a nightmare. After many tests including a biopsy on his lymph nodes, CT scans, Physicians have discovered two cancerous tumours on his L1 and L2 vertebrae. The tumours were pressing on Dylan’s nerves in his lower back which caused him the severe nerve and back pain. This made him immobile. A third tumour was located in his upper spine, along with cancerous lymph nodes in his neck and abdomen, and lesions on his liver. Doctors still have not discovered the primary source of where his cancer is originating from.
Oncologists advised Dylan that he is dealing with an aggressive cancer that has spread to his spine (making it Stage 4) and that Dylan will never be cancer free.
On Tuesday November 28th, 2023 Dylan underwent an invasive lower back surgery to repair his collapsed vertebrae, remove the tumours and stabilize his spine with rods and screws. Dylan is still recovering in hospital at this time. After recovery he will be starting radiation and chemotherapy. He will continue to undergo more tests, physical rehabilitation, and physiological changes caused by medication needed to help with his severe pain.
Dylan is a part of a big policing and law enforcement family, and has spent his career serving and protecting many communities across Ontario.
Dylan will be off work indefinitely, which is something he has never believed would happen; his childhood dreams of being a police officer and helping others has inevitably come to a halt.
Now he needs us more than ever to support him through his battle with cancer.
If you are in a position to contribute financially or offer emotional and other forms of support, it would mean the world to us. No donation is too small, and every contribution will make a significant impact. Let’s come together to offer financial relief, allowing Dylan, Ashley and their families to concentrate on what truly matters – making the most of each day surrounded by love.
Thank you for your generosity, compassion, and kindness. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in Dylan’s journey, providing comfort and creating moments that will be cherished forever.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is one-stop approach to mental healthcare that provides OPPA members with timely access to confidential, effective, and safe mental health support and services along a continuum of care including: mental health counselling, psychological assessments or psychiatric consultations, and referrals to intensive treatment programs including residential programs. Over the coming weeks we will profile some of these residential treatment programs.
The team at Encompas follow a thorough, standardized vetting process for all the treatment programs that it refers to, ensuring connection to safe and attuned services based on unique and individual needs. Many have First Responder-specific expertise and treatment.
When it comes to taking time away from work and family to receive treatment, attending a residential treatment program is a significant and courageous commitment, and for many, an important step on their journey to healing and wellness. Our Care Management Team is here to support you on this journey – please reach out to the Encompas Care Management Team 24/7/365 and they will assist you in this process of connecting with the treatment that is right for you. 1-866-794-9117 or encompascare.ca.
Residential treatment programs require participants to engage in an immersive experience towards mental and physical wellness. Support and care can be offered for a variety of challenges including trauma, substance use/addiction, behavioural addiction, and/or mood disorders that impact a person’s ability to thrive in their daily life at home and/or at work. Treatment programs may be available within a person’s community or may require travel to facilitate access to residential care.
Residential treatment programs offer specialized and intensive therapeutic interventions, structure, a daily routine, and consistency – all of which support positive change and growth. This type of treatment approach offers a safe environment and supervision from a team of professionals, often from a variety of disciplines, who work collaboratively to coordinate a customized plan of care.
The Encompas program adheres to a thorough, standardized vetting process for all the treatment programs to which it refers. As a result, these programs offer safe and attuned services to support our Members’ unique and specific needs.
A vetted and accredited provider, Bellwood Health Services in Toronto, has been offering inpatient (residential) and outpatient treatment programming for over 35 years, in support of individuals experiencing PTSD and trauma-related disorders, plus addiction, mental health disorders, eating disorders, OCD, and concurrent challenges. Their treatment includes evidence-based approaches, peer support groups, aftercare, and a family program to support recovery. There is also an Onsite Detox capability. Depending on the program, inpatient programs range between 7 (seven) and 12 (twelve) weeks. These programs include members of the general population.
To learn more about Bellwood Health Services and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers, available 24/7/365, who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted accredited provider, Gateway Recovery Centre, treats addiction, trauma, and mental health for military, veterans, First Responders, and frontline healthcare workers. This program offers support to First Responders exclusively. Their expertise includes treating substance use disorders and trauma programs, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries (OSI) with or without a concurrent addiction disorder. Depending upon need, the inpatient programs are either 7 or 9 weeks. Medical detox is available onsite. Aftercare for up to one (1) year is also included for all eligible patients who complete an inpatient program, and they offer a Family Program to help loved ones better understand addiction, trauma, and mental illness.
Gateway also offers an intensive online outpatient program.
To learn more about Gateway Recovery Centre and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted accredited provider, GreeneStone, was founded in 2011 and is part of the CATC (Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres) national support network for substance use disorder — the largest in Canada. They are located on a beautiful property in Muskoka and provide treatment for addiction, concurrent mental health conditions and provide supervised detox for a variety of substances. Master’s-level therapists provide custom-tailored one-on-one and group therapy, alongside family supports and a full suite of services that promote successful recovery. They also offer a new general mental health support program. GreeneStone has a military stream for group treatment; however, the facility treats the general population.
Depending upon client needs, programs are either 30, 60 or 90 days in length. Their expertise includes treating substance use disorders and trauma, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries (OSI) with or without a concurrent addiction disorder. Medical detox is available onsite. Treatment may include a psychiatric assessment, individual and group therapy, educational sessions, spiritual therapy including a sweat lodge, relapse prevention and coaching, and wellness activities. Core modalities include CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Humanistic and other approaches.
Aftercare programs are available for life including 4-6 individual counselling sessions, and ongoing group treatment within the Recovery Alumni Program. They also provide Sober Companion Services – live-in support to provide one-on-one assistance to help clients move through difficulties as they arise.
CATC employs individuals in recovery and/or with lived experience, these roles include Recovery Coaches and our Recovery Coordinators. The vision behind this philosophy is to have those with lived expertise as well as professional qualifications to ensure our programming and approach are as effective as possible for all the clients we support.
To learn more about GreeneStone and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
As a vetted and accredited provider, Homewood Health Centre, provides a range of residential programs for addiction, mood disorders, eating disorders, and trauma. Onsite medical detox is available. They also offer treatment programs for uniformed professionals, including the nine (9) week Guardians Program, designed for First Responders, military, and veterans who have experienced unique challenges. Homewood’s evidence-based treatment recognizes the unique needs of these individuals, including exposure to trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction, and provides a safe forum for discussing issues that may be difficult to disclose in the presence of civilians. Those attending the Guardian’s Program would access shared common areas. Depending on the program, inpatient treatment ranges from 6 (six) to 9 (nine) weeks. Programs are co-ed and an Aftercare Program provides 52 (fifty-two) weeks of group-based recovery management to further develop relapse prevention strategies.
To learn more about Homewood Health Centre and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
Renascent is a vetted and accredited provider and has been a national leader in abstinence-based treatment for substance use disorders since 1970. They offer gender-specific inpatient treatment in four centers in Ontario, using evidence-based and trauma-informed care that addresses concurrent mental health issues. Their abstinence-based model integrates 12-step facilitation with other best practices in clinical and medical approaches and offers a range of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness principles, to provide a holistic approach to lifelong recovery. Inpatient programs range in length from 28-42 days. Many of the staff bring lived experience with substance use challenges. Programs are not First Responder-specific. Aftercare is available for 20 (twenty) weeks after discharge.
To learn more about Renascent and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted and accredited First Responder treatment provider, The Stable Grounds, offers a range of treatment options and focused care on a sprawling yet intimate farm in Rodney, Ontario. Their residential programs provide comprehensive treatment to address the identified challenges and allows guests to work through the healing journey without interruption and with ongoing support. They recognize the importance of helping those who provide essential services to others and offer priority treatment to support the recovery process through a unique range of therapeutic options. Cohorts may be mixed or gender-specific depending on availability.
To learn more about The Stable Grounds and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted and accredited treatment provider, Trafalgar offers addiction treatment in a serene and home-like residential setting, focusing on the treatment of underlying mental health issues within a 45-day intensive inpatient program. This facility, Canada’s largest support network for addictions, provides customized therapeutic addiction treatment for substance abuse and process addictions, and concurrent mental health disorders like PTSD and depression. Clients receive one-on-one and group therapy with Master’s level therapists, along with a full suite of supportive services. In addition, Trafalgar specializes in supporting First Responders, military personnel and the victim’s services population, offering an exclusive First Responder group programming within their broader addictions and mental health program. Clients benefit from ongoing support with a 2 (two) month aftercare program.
Trafalgar also offers medically supervised detox services at its sister facility, Neworld Medical Detox. Clients enjoy seamless transportation and case management between these two sites.
Trafalgar employs individuals in recovery and/or with lived experience. The vision behind this philosophy is to have those with lived expertise as well as professional qualifications to ensure our programming and approach are as effective as possible for all the clients supported.
To learn more about Trafalgar and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
Wounded Warriors Canada, utilizes clinical best practices and evidence-based care to create an environment of compassion, resiliency, and hope for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Their team of accredited professionals provides a range of group-based therapy programs benefiting individuals, couples, and children affected by the impacts of operational stress injuries. Programs include a 3–4-day Trauma Resiliency Program as well as a 5 (five) day couples course called COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday) and a 4 (four) day Couples Resiliency Program to assist couples impacted by PTOS and a Surviving Spouses Program for those who have lost their partners in the line of duty or by suicide.
To learn more about Wounded Warriors Canada and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
If you or a family member need mental health support, please visit encompascare.ca or call 1-866-794-9117.
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
Wednesday, December 6th – 10:00am ET – 11:00am ET
About the Speaker:
Elizabeth is a First Responder spouse of both a Canadian Armed Forces reservist and Police Sergeant. Her husband of 20 years, Andrew Gough CD is a Military Police/Close Protection Operator and medically retired Police Sergeant with London Police Service. Together they founded V-EH! Veterans and Everyday Heroes in 2019 – a federal not-for-profit organization. They have spoken on a number of platforms, sharing their journey through an OSI to offer their reflections on Post Traumatic Growth. In Elizabeth’s professional life, she is an Early Years Advisor with the Ministry of Education/Ontario Public Service and is also a dedicated community volunteer and leader on several initiatives to champion sport, children, and women’s causes. Elizabeth and Andrew have two teenage children and reside in St. Thomas Ontario.
About the Session:
Join us on Wednesday, December 6th, from 10:00am ET – 11:00am ET to have a conversation with Elizabeth Gough, a first responder spouse, as she provides an intimate and honest account of her experience living with and loving a first responder with an Operational Stress Injury. She will share reflections on her family’s trauma journey – where their story with an OSI began and their collective experience with it. Elizabeth will take us on a journey through the difficult identification of the injury, her loving assertation that her spouse seek help, life and culture as a military and police family, parenting in a home of trauma, pathways of healing, and unexpected possibilities. Elizabeth may be joined by her eighteen-year-old daughter Ava who will share her reflection on growing up with a Dad with an OSI. This session will delve into the impacts of PTSD, not just on the serving member but also on the spouse and family.
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
Encompas is here for you and your family, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year providing wrap-around mental health care navigation, support and resources. This support is available for all Ontario Provincial Police Association or Commissioned Officers Association members, active and retired and their family, who are in receipt of insured benefits through Canada Life.
We understand that being a First Responder family comes with a unique landscape that includes challenges related to the First Responder role. We know the importance of feeling understood, seen and supported. With a growing number of Encompas Family Members reaching out for support, we would like to announce a new Family Resources section curated especially for our Encompas Members. This is available on the Encompas Member Portal.
We strive to cultivate spaces for you and your family that provide opportunity to engage, learn and be well! We have a growing number of Encompas Family Members reaching out for support, making up for approximately 40% of our Encompas clients, with 15% of those inquiries seeking support with relationship and parenting issues.
A Few of the New Resources in Family Resources Section include:
- Dr. Jody Carrington’s Hello Hero: VIP Course for First Responders and their families
- Expert talks – one from Clinical Psychologist, author, and First Responder family member Dr. Susan Hunt
- Book Recommendations
- Parenting Support
You will also be able to access the existing great resources such as:
- Self-directed courses including a Couples Course and an Anger Solutions Course
- Self-care tools such as: ALAViDA’s early intervention and educational resource for those dealing with Substance Use
To access the Family Resources section, visit encompascare.ca and navigate to Member Portal- Sign in or Register if you are not registered and navigate to the Family Resources Tab.
QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTERING OR NEED SUPPORT? As always, we are here to support 365/24/7. Please connect with one of the Encompas Team members either by calling: 1 866-794-9117 or emailing to info@encompascare.ca
Ontario is observing Remembrance Week November 5-11, 2023. We have many OPPA members past and present who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces every day. We acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all of our members each and every day, and especially remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on Remembrance Day, November 11th and on Indigenous Veterans Day November 8th.
The OPP Association Board of Directors and staff are observing Remembrance Day on Saturday November 11, 2023 by lowering our flags to half staff, pausing for a moment of silence at 11am and attending Remembrance Day ceremonies across the province of Ontario, including at Queen’s Park in Toronto. Monday a statutory holiday for Remembrance will be observed by the OPP Association.
An OPP Association wreath will be among those laid at the Queen’s Park Ceremony of Remembrance. An acknowledgement of the wreath will be made during the ceremony. Director Rob Jamieson will be in attendance at Queen’s Park representing the OPPA.
We encourage everyone to wear a poppy, attend a Remembrance Day ceremony in your area, and observe a moment of silence at 11am on November 11th wherever you are.
Information on finding a Remembrance Day ceremony near you, where to watch a livestream, Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day can be found on the official Province of Ontario website.
President John Cerasuolo and the Board of Directors ~ Ontario Provincial Police Association
| Roll out the red carpet, the new and improved OPPA website – OPPA.ca is now LIVE! To gain access to the new website, Members must first register one time with ‘Memberlink’ – please complete this sign-up as soon as possible – here’s how you do it: Visit the website: MemberLink (oppa.ca) Click on the “Sign up Now” button. Enter your Member ID (WIN #)Enter your first and last name exactly as it appears on your pay stub or annual pension statementEnter your email – please note *for your privacy, you should not use your OPP email address. Click register. An email will be sent to the address you registered with, check your email and click on the link to confirm your identity. Once you confirm your identity via email you are ready to access the new website, A video demonstration can be found here to help you get signed up. |
*If you receive an error message, please ensure you have entered your name as it appears on your pay stub.
Return to the registration page and re-enter your information.
If you do not remember, or do not have a WIN #, or if you continue to experience difficulties, please contact our office directly at oppa@oppa.ca.
To change your Memberlink password for the website click here.
Once you are registered, you will be redirected to the OPPA website. Thanks to all Members for your patience during the transition to our new website.
Happy browsing!
The 2023 OPP Association President’s Banquet was well attended and meaningful for all. The President John Cerasuolo, VP David Sabatini and the OPPA Board of Directors thanks all who attended.
Special thank you to our honoured guests:
• The Attorney General of Ontario, the Honourable Doug Downey
• The Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General of Ontario Brian Saunderson
• The Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police Thomas Carrique
• OPP Provincial Commander Mary Silverthorn
• OPP Deputy Commissioner Chris Harkins
• OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns
• OPP Deputy Commissioner Rohan Thompson
Congratulations to all Members and Staff recognized and who received awards.
Carrie Lanning was recognized for being a PACE Graduate.
Honourary Life Memberships were awarded to OPPA Head Office Staff Members Carolyn Soderberg, Wayne White, Emma Storey and Alexandra Micoli.
Harry deJong was recognzied for his long service to the OPP Association as Editor of the OPPA’s Beyond the Badge Magazine from 2005-2023.
The 2023 OPPA Bill Elliott Member of the Year Award was presented to Jill Lewis from Branch 6.
A ‘Victim Services Presentation’ to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond their call of duty to assist families of our fallen and injured officers during the past year as we dealt with the line of duty deaths of Provincial Constable Greg Pierzchala, Sergeant Eric Mueller and Detective Constable Steven Tourangeau. Honoured members were James Tremblay, Ionut (John) Mihuta, Carla Birnie Lise Durocher, Steve McDade, Jamie-Lynn Meyer and Julie Prud’homme.
The formalities of the evening concluded with a presentation to our member, Marc Lauzon, one of our injured officers who has made remarkable progress from the night of the incident of our fallen brother Eric Mueller. Marc is an impressive example of resilience in relation to such a tragic incident.
Sincere appreciation including several standing ovations was a fitting way to end the 2023 OPPA AGM. Thank you to each and every member and staff member who made a contribution to the success of this annual special week for the OPP Association.
Watch videos from the event on OPP Association TikTok by clicking on image below
Photo album of the event is posted on the Ontario Provincial Police Association Facebook page