It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of COLLEEN KOHEN Badge #7200 who passed away on August 21, 2025. Colleen served at Belleville, Caledon, and Niagara Detachments and Human Resources Branch before retiring as Staff Sergeant from Provincial Command (Corporate Services) on October 31, 2024.
Colleen is survived by her sisters Donna and Debby.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
Juravinski Cancer Centre
699 Concession Street
Hamilton ON L8V 5C2
hamiltonhealth.ca/donate
or
Charity of Choice
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Stu and Donna Kreis and Family
47 Treanor Crescent
Georgetown ON L7G 5H9
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of ROSEMARY (ROSE) VAUGHAN, who passed away on July 22, 2025. Rose served as a Food Services Assistant at OPC before retiring on September 1, 2022.
Rose is survived by her husband Arnie.
A funeral service has taken place.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
Helping Paws Rescue
helpingpawsrescue.ca
or
Aylmer Optimist Club Toy Drive
30 Queen Street South
Aylmer ON N5H 1Z3
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Mr. Arnie Vaughan and Family
56 Pine Street West
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of ROBERT (BOB) WILSON, Badge #5372, who passed away on August 9, 2025. Bob served at the Downsview and Aurora Detachments before retiring as a Constable from the Commercial Motor Vehicle (GTR) on January 31, 2006.
Bob is survived by his brothers Stephen and William.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Animal Centre
115 Woodcrest Drive
Pembroke ON K8A 6W4
renfrewcounty@ontariospca.ca
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Mr. Stephen Wilson & Family
21 Thirteenth Fairway
Calabogie ON K0J 1H0
and
Mr. William Wilson & Family
1006 Peabody Avenue
Windsor ON N8P 0C2
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of JOHN (JACK) MACKAY, Badge #2415, who passed away on August 17, 2025. Jack served at Pembroke and Downsview Detachments, Downsview DHQ In-Service Training Unit, Community Services Branch, Information Branch and Field Coordination Branch before retiring as Sergeant from the Commissioner’s Office on October 31, 1996.
Jack is survived by his wife Cathy and predeceased by his son John.
A private family service has taken place.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
Charity of choice
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Mrs. Cathy MacKay and Family
23 Highwood Road
Brampton ON L6Z 4T7
Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) notified us earlier this week of an error that was made when calculating the retroactive dues for 2,761 members. Some Civilian Members either had no deductions or were deducted an incorrect amount.
We are vetting the information provided by TBS to ensure it accuracy. Members may see adjustments on the August 28th pay.
TBS has identified that the total amounts owing range from $2 to $273. TBS will deduct a flat amount of $18.84 for up to 15 pays starting on the August 28, 2025, pay date and ending on March 12, 2026, pay date. If the total for any member is less than $18.84, the full amount will be deducted on the August 28, 2025, pay date.
These amounts should have been deducted by TBS at the time the retroactive wages were paid.
Retroactive Payment Details on The Base Compensation Adjustments Report (BCAR) has been expanded to include a summary and detailed breakdown of retroactive payments.
(Please note that login credentials for the OPP website are required for the links below).
More details and instructions, including a video overview, are available on the Base Compensation Adjustments Report Guide webpage.
The OPPA is committed to ensuring members are treated fairly and accurately and we encourage you to stay informed by accessing the Compensation Award Implementation Updates page on the OPP Connections page and read about how ATBs/retroactive payments are calculated and appear on WIN/paystubs on the Across-the-Board Rate Increases and Retroactive Pay page on InsideOPS.
The nomination forms are now online for three OPP Association awards. The process is simple, and takes less than ten minutes to complete. Please consider nominating an OPPA member prior to the September 30th deadline.
The Bill Elliott Member of the Year Award is an esteemed recognition for members who have made outstanding contributions to their OPPA Branches, the Association, their communities, or the OPP’s public reputation. This award celebrates individuals whose efforts have gone above and beyond in their service.
The Award of Merit honours members for their long-standing dedication to the Association and their community. This prestigious award acknowledges those whose contributions have significantly enhanced the lives of others, including active and retired members, surviving partners, and dependent children. The recipient exemplifies the OPPA’s mission through their unwavering support of others.
The President’s Award of Achievement recognizes members and the broader community for their impactful contributions to policing and society. This award provides the opportunity to celebrate those who have made a lasting impact on the policing profession or their community.
To access the nomination forms, you will need to be logged in to OPPA website. If you require assistance logging in please email oppa@oppa.ca.
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of AMY FANNING, spouse of Constable Jason Fanning, Badge #12453 (TRU Team, East). Amy passed away on August 17, 2025.
Amy is survived by her spouse Jason and children Kaylie, Madison, Nicholas and Joshua.
Funeral Service:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 1100 hrs
Sacred Heart Church
2911 Westport Road
Godfrey ON K0H 2V0
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Jason Fanning and Family
264-B Burridge Lake Road, RR#2
Godfrey ON K0H 1T0
The OPPA has officially put Treasury Board Secretariat of Ontario (TBS) on notice that we are moving to arbitration over the ongoing crisis in our members’ health and welfare benefits. Despite our shared commitment in bargaining to ensure fair and comprehensive coverage, our benefits continue to lag behind other police services, with the expired Benefit Transfer Agreement leaving even our current benefits underfunded.
Since presenting our proposal to TBS in January, we have repeatedly pressed for a response. For nearly seven months, TBS has delayed without providing any substantive position or movement. Our members deserve better. We will continue to keep you informed as this process moves forward.
Sincerely,
OPPA Board of Directors
The Compassionate Response:
Humanizing Conversations Among First Responders and Their Families
Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 – 12:00pm ET – 1:00pm ET
Keith Richards – Mental Health, Leadership, and Compassion Under Scrutiny
Join us on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025, from 12 PM to 1 PM ET for The Compassionate Response: Humanizing Conversations among First Responders and Their Families, featuring Keith Richards.
Keith retired after 31 years of service as a Sergeant with the Durham Regional Police Service, where he made history as the Service’s first Diversity Officer in 2006. He also served as Chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police EDI Committee and was the go-to person at Durham Regional Police Service for all things Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. Nationally recognized for his contributions, Keith specialized in delivering Unconscious Bias training to DRPS officers and other police services across southern Ontario.
Today, Keith is the lead trainer for KLAE Equity Diversity & Inclusion Consulting and Training, where he coaches corporations and government agencies on Unconscious Bias Awareness, approaching it through the lens of employee engagement.
This conversation with Keith Richards will explore the realities of being a compassionate human in a profession under constant public scrutiny. We’ll discuss how mental health in leadership carries unique stigmas, especially when the expectation is to always lead, and what it takes to foster empathy, resilience, and inclusion at every level.
Join us as we connect with Keith to talk about leadership, vulnerability, and breaking down the barriers to mental wellness in high-pressure roles.
If you have any questions that you would like Keith to answer during the segment, we invite you to send them in advance to suzz.sandalwood@daltonassociates.ca. We look forward to connecting with you!
Visit 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.
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
It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of ROBERT (BOB) BROWN, Badge #1592, who passed away on August 6, 2025. Bob served at Kenora, Atikokan, Timmins, Cochrane, Moosonee, Matheson and Mount Forest Detachments before retiring as Corporal from the Downsview Detachment on August 1, 1981.
Bob is survived by his partner Shirley, his children Wanda and Richard and predeceased by his daughter Bridget and wife Naomi. Bob is also survived by Shirley’s children Debbie, Carrie and Rob.
Celebration of Life:
Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 1230 hrs to 1530 hrs
Best Western Inn on the Bay
1800 Second Avenue East
Owen Sound ON N4K 5R1
Family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations to:
OPP Youth Foundation
777 Memorial Avenue
Orillia ON L3V 7V3
https://oppyouthfoundation.ca
Letters or cards of condolence may be forwarded to:
Mrs. Wanda Balzer and Family
11 Kilbirnie Court
Kitchener ON N2R 1B7