A procession to escort Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Constable Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala will take place on Friday, December 30, 2022.
The 28-year-old OPP officer was murdered on December 27, 2022 while responding to a call west of Hagersville.
The procession will depart from the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto at 9:00 a.m. and travel northbound on Highway 400 to Barrie.
Members of the public are invited join First Responders in showing their respects from one of the many overpasses along the highway. Please do not stop on the highway to exit your vehicle as this poses a serious safety concern.
The OPP will livestream the media event on multiple platforms including:
- Twitter at @OPP_HSD and @OPP_News
- Facebook: OPPHSD and Ontario Provincial Police
- TikTok: @opphighwaysafetydivision
A police funeral will be held in Barrie on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, with details to be announced once they have been finalized.
Sergeant Ed Sanchuk, PAO President Mark Baxter, OPPA Director Mike Adair
Our OPP Association Board of Directors, Toronto Police Association and Police Association of Ontario were part of a large display of respect from the policing, first responder community and the public this morning at the Procession from the Coroner’s Office in Toronto to a funeral home in Barrie for our fallen officer, OPP Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala. Thank you to everyone who came out and saluted at the Coroner’s Office and on bridges along the route. Thank you to everyone who have gone above and beyond to remember our Hero In Life. A Police Funeral will occur in Barrie on Wednesday January 4, 2023. Further details will be posted when available.
Video by OPPA of start of Procession at Office of the Chief coroner in Toronto
OPP Association Director Dave Dube joins the 10-5 Podcast to discuss the current staffing levels in the Ontario Provincial Police.
Click on player above to listen. For links to listen on the podcast platform of your choice click on the image above or visit our public facing OPPA blog OPPA.ca/Media.
Topics also include the OPPA Staffing Forms, the impact from the closure of the Smiths Falls Provincial Communications Centre, projections on the number of retirements, the impact of the now overturned Bill 124, and recruitment efforts.
Members can access the staffing shortage form at oppa.ca/staffingform (log in required). Members can also report staffing issues by calling us at 1-800-461-4282 and selecting option number 9.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
The President, Board and CAO of the OPP Association wish you and yours Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year as we prepare to gather for the holiday season.
This year has seen our OPP members required to mobilize and police many volatile situations, including the Freedom Convoy protests that happened around the province. We are proud of the professionalism and dedication to duty of our members each and every day, both sworn and civilian.
Thank you for all that you do. We greatly appreciate all of our OPPA Branch Executives and our OPPA Head Office staff who work tirelessly for our members, often under stressful conditions and many times at all hours of the day and night. We couldn’t operate without you. Your work is valued and appreciated.
Thank you as well to the families of all of our members. You are there to support our members who are working 24/7, 365 days of the year, and we are grateful for all you do behind the scenes for our members to keep the home fires burning bright. Our police families are greatly appreciated.
As we mobilize into 2023 we will have a very busy year with our contract expiring in December of 2022. We will be working steadfastly on your behalf to ensure that the new contract values the work members do and compensates them accordingly.
We realize that the holidays can be stressful and often sad for some, especially for families who have lost loved ones this year. You are never alone. We ask you to reach out to loved ones, colleagues, peer supporters or professionals if you feel the need.
Our Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available for members 24/7, 365 days per year by calling 1-866-794-9117 or visiting online at encompascare.ca.
We sincerely hope that you have some quality time with those you love over the holidays and can enjoy the joy that comes along with the season.
From all of us to all of you, all the best of this holiday season. We wish you all health and happiness.
Sincerely
President John Cerasuolo and the OPPA Board of Directors
CAO Lisa Shipley
Register in advance for this webinar on ZOOM by clicking here or on image above
Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
January 25th, 2023 – 1000 – 1100 ET
Featuring Laura Kloosterman, Executive Director of Badge of Life Canada
About the Speaker:
Laura Kloosterman is a retired OPP officer with 32 years of experience. During her career, she was involved in several different positions with various units within the OPP, from witness protection, recruitment, dignitary protection and retired as a Constable from the Professional Standards Branch.
Laura has been a strong advocate for mental well-being and acknowledging everyone’s own personal resilience. Her journey has taught her sustainable growth equals sustainable happiness.
Her role with Badge of Life Canada started several years ago while in the OPP. She began by attending Peer Support meetings and later, became a peer supporter herself. Prior to her retirement from the OPP, she joined the Board of Directors of Badge of Life Canada, subsequently became the Executive Director in October 2021.
Laura truly believes in empowering all Canadian Public Safety personnel and their families to achieve healthy living and post-traumatic growth. In her new role, she has positively and proactively restructured Badge of Life Canada to make it more of a networking organization that is supportive of Canadian Public Safety Personnel and their families. She works tirelessly to support, empower, and educate. Laura believes in changing the dialogue within organizations by proactively changing the toxic management culture through education and the promotion of necessary resources. Preparing for when a traumatic event will occur not if.
As a charitable organization, Badge of Life Canada promotes healthy living through knowledge and education, create connections and a strong sense of community.
About the Session:
Please join us on Wednesday January 25th, 2023, from 10am – 11am for a conversation with Laura Kloosterman as she discusses her mental wellness journey and topics including being authentic and true to yourself, peer support, self-care, changing the dialogue and more.
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
OPPA Manager of Member Services Amie Fabiano joins the 10-5 podcast from the OPPA Head Office in Barrie, Ontario to provide an overview of member services for the close to 10,000 members of the OPP Association. Those services include Legal, Labour, Pension and Benefits, Training and Education, and much more.
To listen click on the player above. To listen on Spotify, Apple, Google and many other podcasting platforms click on the image above.
If you are a member and need assistance from the OPP Association call 1-800-461-4282 or 705-728-6161 or email oppa@oppa.ca. Your email or call will be triaged to the appropriate person to deal with your matter.
A number of contact numbers and emails were referenced in the podcast. A list of those contacts is below:
OPS Service Centre: Email: opssc@ontario.ca Phone: 1 (866) 979-9300, (416) 326-9300
The Ontario Pension Board can be reached at 1-800-668-6203, clientservice@opb.ca or visit their website at opb.ca
For additional information on the OPPA’s Pre-Retirement Seminars, please visit oppa.ca/benefits/pre-retirement (log in required).
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:
Telephone – 1-866-794-9117 (Available 24/7)
Email – info@encompascare.ca
Website – encompascare.ca
Target Benefit Administrators can be reached at 1-888-660-6055 or oppa.wlvinc.com
OPPA Credit Union: oppacu.com or 1-800-461-4288.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
David Sabatini is the new Vice-President of the OPP Association and the first Civilian Member to hold this role. He joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk about his career with the OPP, his election to the OPPA Board of Directors and transition to his new role. Additionally, David provides more information on the roles civilians play in the OPP, the OPPA’s “On-Call” system, and talks about his “three wishes” for the Association and its members.
Listen on the player above or on Apple, Google, Spotify or podcast platform of choice by clicking the image above.
If you have any inquiries or ideas for future guests and topics for the weekly 10-5 Podcast please please email communications@oppa.ca
The OPP Association’s newest Director, Rob Jamieson, is no stranger to the OPPA and our members. He joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk about his journey back to the Board of Directors and his new role, including the PTS/OSI portfolio and the Mental Health Steering Committee.
To listen click on the player above OPPA.ca/Media to listen on the OPPA public facing blog, or listen on Google, Apple, Spotify and many more platforms by clicking photo above.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:
Telephone – 1-866-794-9117 (Available 24/7)
Email – info@encompascare.ca
Website – EncompasCare.ca
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, or ideas for future topics and guests on our weekly podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
Liz Siydock is the Family Liaison Coordinator for the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, and the widow of OPP Provincial Constable Michael Siydock, who died in the line of duty on November 26, 2004.
She joins the 10-5 Podcast to share information about her role. Topics include how this role was developed, her role in assisting the families of fallen police officers and soldiers who have died in service to our country, how she and other members of her office look after their mental health, and her “three wishes” for change.
Click on the player below to listen or listen on Google, Apple, Spotify and many more platforms by clicking photo above.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
Today we celebrate the life of OPP Sergeant Jamie Gillespie who died tragically because of the line of duty on Nov 1, 2022. In Jamie’s honour flags at OPPA Head Office have been at half staff since his passing. Jamie served with the OPP since 2001 and was previously a police officer with Waterloo Police Service. The OPPA extends our condolences to Jamie’s wife, his two children, his family and his many colleagues and friends who loved and respected him.
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo, Director Rob Jamieson and Executive Officer of Pension and Benefits Lisa Hillstrom will join several OPPA members honouring Jamie’s life and years of honourable service at his Celebration of Life.
This is a very difficult time for everyone who knew and loved Jamie, as well as for our membership at large. The care navigators at our Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program are available 24/7 for our members and their families by calling 1-866-794-9117 or online at EncompasCare.ca.
Rest in peace to our Brother.
Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
Building Mental Resilience – Responders Helping Responders
November 23rd, 2022 – 1000 – 1100 ET
Featuring Marc Rainford, Former Toronto Police Service Officer
About the Speaker:
Marc Rainford has over 20 years of experience in community engagement, with a specialty in youth and police engagement. Marc is a former Toronto Police Service officer, with 15 years of experience in policing.
Marc has been a keynote speaker with the Toronto Catholic District School Board on student leadership and mental health resilience and as well with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police conference on mental health in policing. He has done numerous presentations on mental health resilience including with the OPP, Windsor Police, Durham College and George Brown College. Marc is also the author of an upcoming children’s book on mental health resilience.
Mostly importantly, Marc is a husband and proud father of two girls.
About the Session:
Please join us on Wednesday November 23rd from 10am – 11am for a conversation with Marc Rainford as he takes us through his lived experience and the importance of building mental resiliency, managing “rocks” in your backpack, and many more of his helpful strategies to have a healthy and successful policing career.
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