The OPP Association is devastated by the death of Sergeant Brandon Malcolm, who was killed in the line of duty today while operating a police motorcycle in Cobourg. During this difficult time, we offer our deepest condolences, to Sergeant Malcolm’s family, his colleagues, and friends.
OPP Association President David Sabatini stated:
“We are heartbroken over the loss of Sergeant Brandon Malcolm, who was killed in the line of duty while operating a police motorcycle in Cobourg. While the circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, this tragedy reminds us of the dangers our Members face every day while serving and protecting the citizens of Ontario. We ask that everyone keep Sergeant Malcolm, his family, colleagues, and friends in your thoughts in the coming days.”
Members of the OPP Association in need of support can reach out to our Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at by telephone or SMS text message at 1-866-794-9117, or online at encompascare.ca.
Further updates will be communicated to our Membership via as they become available.
Please follow the OPP Association’s social media channels for public updates.
Media contacts for OPP Association:
Scott Mills
Cell 647-449-2801
Email communications@oppa.ca
Joshua Jutras
Cell 705-730-4081
Email communications@oppa.ca
-30-
BARRIE, ON, Oct. 24, 2025/CNW/ – David Sabatini has been named the new President and CEO of the OPP Association. Dave Dube has been named the new Vice President. The announcements were made at President’s Banquet at the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Provincial Association on October 23, 2025 in Collingwood, Ontario.
David is the first OPP Association President to be a Civilian Member. He previously served on the OPPA Board as Vice President and in the Civilian Director role. David worked at OPP GHQ in Orillia prior to being elected to the OPP Association Board of Directors. He currently resides in Orillia.
Quote from David Sabatini, President and CEO of the OPP Association:
“Thank you to the OPP Association Board for electing me President. I am honoured and proud to represent the over 10,000 members of the OPP Association. I am looking forward to working with the OPP Association Board of Directors and our Branch Executive members to serve our membership. My immediate priority will be to continue our negotiations to improve benefits for our members, and work towards securing contracts for our sworn and civilian members, that make our valued members the highest paid with the best benefits in Ontario, long before our current contracts expire”.
Dave Dube served the OPP for many years at the Kirkland Lake Detachment. He was the OPP Association Branch 12 North President prior to be elected as a Provincial Director of the OPP Association. Dave resides in Kirkland Lake.
Quote from Dave Dube, Vice President of the OPP Association:
“It is an honour to be named Vice President of the OPP Association. Thank you to my fellow Board members for the confidence they have placed in me. I look forward to tirelessly advocating for all of our sworn, civilian and retired members, and collaborating with our stakeholders to improve the safety and well being of our members and their families.”
Two Provincial Directors of the OPP Association Board of Directors were re-elected at the 2025 AGM, Lynn Neale and Terri Hubbert. Two new Provincial Directors were elected, Dan Pyrah and Trevor McKean. They join Provincial Director Mike Adair who is currently serving a term on the Board of Directors.
The retiring OPP Association President, John Cerasuolo states:
“After 26 years of being involved in the OPP Association, it has always been about our members, who are our focus and our strength. As myself and former Past President Rob Jamieson retire, I am certain that the leadership of the OPP Association is in good hands, and I thank the membership for entrusting me with the leadership of this great organization, and wish the new President, Vice President and Board of Directors, as well as all members and their families safety and prosperity in the future.”
About the Ontario Provincial Police Association
Headquartered in Barrie, the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPP Association) acts as the sole bargaining agent for its more than10,000 Uniform and Civilian members. Of equal importance, the OPP Association serves as the voice of its members in advocating for improved health and safety standards and better supports for members suffering from operational stress injuries.
SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police Association
Media inquiries:
Scott Mills – OPP Association Strategic Communications Coordinator,
Cell: 647-449-2801, Email: communications@oppa.ca
-30-
The OPP Association welcomes the introduction of the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14) to strengthen Canada’s response to repeat violent offenders, organized crime, and threats to public safety.
We are grateful this new legislation includes some of the recommendations from the OPP Association and partner Police Associations. The 2022 murder of one of our OPP police officers by a suspect at large wanted for failing to comply with bail conditions initiated a robust advocacy campaign by Federal, Provincial and Municipal police associations.
Bill C-14 proposes to expand reverse-onus bail to cover serious and organized-crime offences such as human trafficking, car theft, and home invasions, and clarifies that restraint does not mean automatic release. The legislation directs the Court to consider whether an offence involved victims of random violence, first responder victims, or the accused facing multiple outstanding charges.
Sentencing provisions strengthen accountability by requiring the Court to treat prior violent convictions and assaults on first responders, including police officers, as aggravating factors, encourages consecutive sentences, restricts conditional sentences for sexual offences, and recognizes organized retail theft as a growing public safety issue.
The OPP Association thanks the federal government for listening to the voices of our members, and communities. We urge all parliamentarians to support the passage of this important bill as soon as possible, without partisan considerations, to enhance safety and strengthen justice across Canada.
Our thoughts today are with our OPP officer and their family who sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries after our officer was struck by a suspect vehicle while conducting a traffic stop on Highway 3 near St Thomas.
This highlights the dangers our officers face every day keeping Ontario safe.
Thank you to all of the officers who responded quickly to our officer’s call for assistance and arrested the suspect, our calm and quick thinking Communicators, and thank you to all of the First Responders and medical team for the care being given to our member.
Barrie/CNW/June 24, 2025
Today, OPP Provincial Constable Sean O’Rourke was acquitted of manslaughter in the Superior Court of Justice in Chatham, relating to a line of duty incident that occurred on Highway 401 near Ridgetown, Ontario on July 7, 2021.
On that day, a 25yr old man tragically died as PC O’Rourke and other police officers were trying to apprehend the suspect while fleeing police after a theft of gas.
The lives of the family of the deceased, our police officers and our civilian members have been forever impacted.
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo commented:
“We respect the court’s decision and believe it reflects the complexities faced by police officers in dangerous and unpredictable situations. Our officers are dedicated to serving and protecting the citizens of Ontario, often in circumstances beyond their control. This has been an extraordinarily difficult period for all involved, and we remain committed to supporting Provincial Constable O’Rourke, along with all our members and their families, as they continue to navigate the emotional aftermath of this event.”
Defence Counsel Sandy Khehra added:
“It is essential that the law recognizes the realities and risks inherent in policing. Police officers are entrusted to use reasonable force to protect themselves and others. We are relieved that the court’s decision reflects this understanding.”
The OPP Association encourage anyone impacted by this situation to reach out and lean on those closest to them, as well as seek professional mental health assistance. We also encourage you to reach in to those you know are impacted by this tragedy.
For members of the public, the Canadian Mental Health Association has a number of resources on their website ontario.cmha.ca.
The Ontario Provincial Police Association’s (OPPA) Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to our members and their families by calling 24/7: 1-866-794-9117 or by visiting encompascare.ca.
Confidential support services are available to all OPP members, families, retirees, and auxiliaries through the OPP’s Healthy Workplace Team (HWT) available by phone, toll-free at 1-844-OPP-9409 (1-844-677-9409), or by directly contacting any HWT member.
Media Contact: Scott Mills Cell 647-449-2801 Email: communications@oppa.ca
-30-
Joint statement from OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, OPP Association President John Cerasuolo and the Mueller family regarding the guilty verdicts today in the line of duty death of OPP Sergeant Eric Mueller.
(ORILLIA, ON) – The Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Thomas Carrique, the President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA), John Cerasuolo, and the Mueller family have provided a statement following the trial verdict in the death of Sergeant Eric Mueller and the injuries of Provincial Constables Marc Lauzon and François Gamache-Asselin.
“For nearly nine weeks, the emotional testimonies and public release of body worn camera footage have significantly intensified the emotional impact we have all felt since that heartbreaking day in 2023.
It has been especially difficult for Sergeant Eric Mueller’s family, our two wounded officers, our OPP members and their loved ones. Sergeant Mueller was a dedicated officer who served the people of Ontario for 21 years. His legacy and the impact he had on his community continues on.
Today’s verdict reinforces our focus on what Sergeant Mueller stood for – an unwavering commitment to the community and to the safety and protection of others. It also acknowledges the life-changing impact felt by Provincial Constables Marc Lauzon and François Gamache-Asselin, who exhibited the highest standard of bravery in the face of life-threatening and life-altering danger.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the swift and courageous actions of those who attended the scene and prevented further harm.
Additionally, we extend that gratitude to the investigative team and the Crown Attorneys, for their dedication to ensuring a thorough investigation and prosecution of this case.”
– OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, OPPA President John Cerasuolo and the Mueller family
As the matter is currently in the appeal period, the OPP will be unable to provide further comment at this time. For any questions relating to the appeal process, please contact the Ministry of the Attorney General.
The Ontario Government presented their 2025 Ontario Budget – A Plan to Protect Ontario, in the Ontario Legislature on May 15th. Read the full document here: budget.ontario.ca/2025.
The OPP Association welcomes the Ontario Government investment in policing, especially in the police training infrastructure to construct a new OPP Academy in Orillia and to modernize and expand the police training facility at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer. A significant number of our police officers are reaching the age of retirement, and the need for recruiting and training has never been greater in order for our members to be adequately trained and equipped to serve and protect the citizens of Ontario, especially for the increase in need for enforcement for illegal border crossings, illegal drugs and illegal guns.
OPPA President John Cerasuolo attended an Ontario Government press conference in Bolton this morning alongside the PAO, TPA and YRPA for a funding announcement.
Learn more in news release below:
Pictured left to right: OPPA President, John Cerasuolo – TPA Director of Member Benefits, Pete Grande – PAO President, Mark Baxter – President and CEO of Runnymede, Connie Dejak – TPA President, Clayton Campbell – YRPA President – Rob O’Quinn
OPPA President John Cerasuolo attended a press conference today hosted by the Office of the Solicitor General announcing the launch of a new tool to better monitor high-risk offenders on bail.
President Cerasuolo stated:
“The launch of the Provincial Bail Compliance Dashboard is a vital step in holding repeat and violent offenders accountable. This tool will enable police services to track and share critical information about individuals on bail for firearms offences, ensuring stricter adherence to bail conditions. The OPP is proud to lead this initiative, with full support from the OPP Association, reinforcing our commitment to community safety and backing the government’s efforts to build a safer Ontario.”
Read the full press release here on the Ontario Solicitor General website.
(pictured L to R: Adrian Wooley (Peel Regional Police Association), Mark Baxter (PAO), Hon. Graham MacGregor (Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform), John Cerasuolo (Ontario Provincial Police Association), , and Rob O’Quinn (York Regional Police Association)
November 13, 2024, TORONTO – Once again, after another serious incident of gun violence in our communities, the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) and the Toronto Police
Association (TPA) are united in asking the federal government to take some leadership in the safety of our members and the communities they serve.
This week in Toronto, while doing a bail compliance check, officers from the Toronto Police Service were caught in the middle of an active shootout between rival groups. Sixteen guns were seized and 23 people were
arrested, including a young offender with three firearms prohibitions. This time, luckily, no one was harmed, but without urgent action, next time could be different.
There are many examples throughout Ontario of accused persons out on bail who are re-arrested shortly after being granted bail, including for allegedly murdering a police officer. Many of these cases don’t make the news. In an August 2024 case in Sarnia, a man was re-arrested with auto theft charges and fleeing police a mere two days after being released for similar offences.
In February 2024, in Elliot Lake, a man with a history of assaults and breaching bail conditions was re-arrested for once again violating bail conditions a short time after getting out of jail.
The PAO, OPPA, and TPA, collectively representing 35,000 police members in Ontario, are asking the federal government to take immediate action by
ensuring repeat and violent offenders are kept in jail instead of continuing to harm their communities while they await trial.
Effective bail reform must strike a balance between public safety and the rights of the accused. The public expects that in the name of public safety,
violent and repeat offenders will not be released on bail unless there is a
compelling reason and a sensible plan to ensure that they are not at risk of reoffending while awaiting trial.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen serious incidents related to our bail system that have put the lives of police service members and our
communities in danger. This incident in Toronto could have had a very different result. Luckily, it didn’t. But it should serve as a call to action for the federal government to fix our bail system so repeat and violent offenders can’t continue to harm our communities while out on bail. Stricter bail policies for repeat and violent offenders prioritize the safety and security of our communities,” said Mark Baxter, President of the Police Association of Ontario.
“We call on the federal government to take immediate, decisive action to bolster community safety by reforming bail laws to prevent repeat violent offenders from returning to our streets, enforcing stringent penalties for violations of court orders, and redirecting resources from ineffective gun bans to address the smuggling of illegal firearms. These actions are critical to restoring public trust in our justice system and safeguarding our
communities,” said John Cerasuolo, OPP Association President & CEO.
“Only through sheer luck were none of our members injured during this most recent incident. With dozens of bullets flying aimlessly, it could have ended differently for any innocent bystander,” said TPA President Clayton Campbell. “Our members are increasingly frustrated and angered as they
continue risking their lives to apprehend repeat violent offenders. How many more incidents must occur before the federal government recognizes and responds to the urgent reality on our streets?”
-30-
Police Association of Ontario media@pao.ca
Ontario Provincial Police Association communications@oppa.ca
Toronto Police Association mgray@tpa.ca