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?”
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Police Association of Ontario media@pao.ca
Ontario Provincial Police Association communications@oppa.ca
Toronto Police Association mgray@tpa.ca
The thoughts of all of us at the OPP Association are with our injured Officer in this afternoon’s incident in Orillia. Our Member is in stable condition at hospital.
We are keeping all First Responders and everyone impacted by this situation today in our thoughts. The SIU has invoked their mandate.
The OPP issued the following news release this evening:
SIU INVOKES MANDATE IN ORILLIA INCIDENT
(Orillia, ON) – The Orillia Detachment of the OntarioProvincial Police (OPP) is investigating an incident where the province’sSpecial Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate in Orillia.
On November 7, 2024, shortly before 2:00 p.m., police responded to a reportof an altercation at a residence on Barrie Road. As a result of theinvestigation, an involved individual was located on Cochrane Street. Duringthe interaction, an officer was stabbed and sustained serious injuries. Theofficer discharged their firearm and as a result, the individual was pronounceddeceased at hospital. The officer remains in hospital in stable condition.
As the SIU has invoked its mandate, the OPP will not be able to provide anyfurther information. Any other inquiries should be directed to SIUCommunications at siu.media@opp.ca.
John Cerasuolo, President Ontario Provincial Police Association along with Police Association of Ontario President Mark Baxter attended an announcement of Ontario calling for immediate Federal action on bail reform by Solicitor General Michael Kerzner and Graham McGregor, Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform at Queen’s Park on October 28, 2024.
President Cerasuolo stated the following in the Ontario Government News Release:
“The OPP Association support changes to the current bail system. Our members overwhelmingly feel that the current system is ‘catch and release’ system that results in many of the same accused persons being at large again to re-offend shortly after arrest. We feel that the safety of our community and our police officers are at risk with the current system. We acknowledge that the balance of the Canadian Charter of Rights of an accused person and community safety must be considered, and welcome all efforts by all levels of government to make the system more effective for all.”
The full Ontario Government News Release can be read on the Ontario Government website.
The OPP Association welcomes the Ontario Government announcement July 29, 2024 of $134M to purchase five new police helicopters, two of which will be purchased, operated and maintained by the OPP to assist Toronto Police Service and Ottawa Police Service.
Our Members at OPP Aviation Services proudly fly both rotary and fixed wing aircraft, and play a crucial role for maintaining public safety, with our Members policing over 1 million square kilometres throughout Ontario.
The additional three helicopters named at the announcement will be purchased, operated and maintained by the Halton Regional Police, Peel Regional Police and the Durham Regional Police Services.
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo states: “The OPP Association supports the additional purchase of helicopters that will increase the capacity of police services to deliver safe, timely and effective policing throughout Ontario. We are grateful to our OPP pilots, mechanics and OPP Aviation support staff for the valuable work they perform each and every day to assist in investigations, locate missing and vulnerable persons and transport equipment, personnel and persons in custody. We look forward to supporting additional staff to manage the increase to the fleet leading up to the delivery of the new helicopters in 2026.”
For more information read the Ontario Government press release “Ontario Fighting Auto Theft and Organized Crime With Expanded New Joint Air Support Unit – New Helicopters will help prevent violent carjackings in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area”.
Barrie, Ontario – 5am July 22, 2024
The Membership of the Ontario Provincial Police Association have ratified new Uniform and Civilian Collective Agreements, making our Uniform OPP Association Members the highest paid police in Ontario.
87.7% of the Members ratified the Uniform Agreement
92.9% of Members voted to ratify the Civilian Agreement.
The term of Agreements are from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2026 (four years). The percentages of yearly salary increases are retroactive to the dates identified.
January 1, 2023 – 4.75%
January 1, 2024 – 4.50%
January 1, 2025 – 2.75%
January 1, 2026 – 2.75%
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo states:
“Our Sworn Police Officers and Civilian Members work tirelessly to serve and protect the citizens of Ontario each and every day, often putting their own lives at risk. Our Members deserve to be the top paid police in Ontario. We wish to thank the Bargaining Team on both sides for their diligent work to finalize these Collective Agreements, and thank our Membership for the support.”
The OPP Association is the sole bargaining agent for the close to 10,000 members of the Ontario Provincial Police. There are twenty Branches serving Members throughout Ontario. Head Office is located in Barrie.
Media Inquiries:
Scott Mills communications@oppa.ca cell 647-449-2801
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Today Provincial Constable Nicholls attended Court in Collingwood, Ontario for sentencing in relation to the Court’s October 26, 2023 finding of guilt on the charge of assault causing bodily harm. Based on the sentencing submissions of Provincial Constable Nicholls counsel and the Crown the Court imposed a suspended sentence.
The OPPA can advise, on behalf of Provincial Constable Nicholls, that there is merit to an appeal, and one will be filed. The appeal will be based on the Court’s errors including but not limited to the following issues:
- Incorrect application of s.25 of the Criminal Code by:
(a) determining that s. 25 requires a police officer to perceive a threat, as opposed to permitting use of force to affect the officer’s purpose regardless of the existence of a threat;
(b) improperly assessing the incident through the lens of the reasonableness of the complainant’s actions;
(c) failing to apply the requisite modified objective test to the assessment of the reasonableness of the officer’s actions;
- An unreasonable finding as to the degree of force actually applied;
- Incorrect assessment of whether there was a reasonable foreseeability of bodily harm;
- Improper finding that the complainant’s injury was the product of an intentional application of force; and
- A general misapprehension of the evidence.
The OPP Association will continue to support Provincial Constable Nicholls through the appeal and is optimistic that the outcome will be favourable.
John Cerasuolo – President, Ontario Provincial Police Association
Media inquiries:
Scott Mills
Email: communications@oppa.ca
Cell 647-449-2801
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OSHAWA, ON, March 25, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, all charges were withdrawn against our members, OPP Provincial Constables Nathan Vanderheyden, Kenneth Pengelly and Grayson Cappus in relation to a police-involved shooting in Lindsay on November 26, 2020.
On that day a family suffered the death of their child. The lives of the family, our police officers, and civilian members have been forever impacted. One of our members sustained very serious life altering injuries during the response to that tragic incident. When an incident such as this occurs, it affects the families, the community, and our entire policing family.
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo states:
“The circumstances of this incident involving the death of an innocent child are tragic for all involved. We offer our sympathies to the child’s family. It is our duty to serve and protect and we take that duty very seriously. Unfortunately, as police officers protect public safety in highly volatile and fast-moving dangerous situations, unexpected outcomes may result. It is a correct and just decision made today that the charges against our members have been withdrawn. We have stated from the outset that our members acted courageously and professionally during an extremely dangerous situation. We were confident that as the case proceeded through justice system that the evidence would vindicate the officers. It is important for the public to understand that if police are charged with an offence, they have the presumption of innocence, and in this case it has been determined that on the totality of the evidence there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. Our officers were doing their job according to their training.”
We 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.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge offers mental health supports to residents of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Peterborough and County, and Northumberland. To learn more about the programs and services they offer, visit cmhahkpr.ca or call 705-328-2704.
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
For Immediate Release
December 7, 2023
Statement – Bail Reform Legislation Receives Royal Assent
OTTAWA – Tom Stamatakis, President of the Canadian Police Association, Mark Baxter, President of the Police Association of Ontario, John Cerasuolo, President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and Jon Reid, President of the Toronto Police Association, jointly released a statement today following Royal Assent being given to Bill C-48, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform). This important legislation was supported by all members of the Canadian Police Association, and was originally introduced following the high-profile murders of police officers in Ontario, and across Canada, by violent offenders who were, at the time of the attacks, on release from previous convictions.
“Front-line police personnel applaud all Members of Parliament for their work on passing common sense bail reform that specifically targets serious, repeat violent offenders. Perhaps most importantly, this legislation which was passed unanimously by all elected Members of the House of Commons, sends a strong signal to our Courts that community safety must be a key concern when considering whether proven, prolific offenders should be granted bail and released before being held accountable for their actions.” – Mr. Tom Stamatakis, President, Canadian Police Association.
“Police associations, and the members we collectively represent, sincerely appreciate the work done by former and current Justice Ministers David Lametti and Arif Virani, building on the consensus developed by leaders of provincial and municipal governments across Canada, on this important issue. The safety of our communities should be a thoroughly non-partisan issue, and Bill C-48 proves that when all stakeholders come together, we can quickly identify solutions to address serious problems.” – Mr. Mark Baxter, President, Police Association of Ontario.
“We hope that this legislation is only the first step in meaningful justice reform that recognizes that bail is a fundamental right, and the presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of our justice system, but that we can work collaboratively to identify potential evidence-based legislative and administrative changes to address the concerns that many Canadians have expressed, when highlighting their concerns of deteriorating public safety in their communities. We believe that by working together, we can better protect the public and ensure a fair and effective justice system.” – Mr. John Cerasuolo, President, Ontario Provincial Police Association.
“The past 15 months have been difficult for the policing community in Canada, with eight murders of police officers who were engaged in the exercise of their duties across the country. Passing this bail reform legislation is important action that shows that their sacrifices are recognized, and that our elected officials are ready to take concrete steps to help protect not just our law enforcement personnel, but also the communities they serve.” – Mr. Jon Reid, President, Toronto Police Association.
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The Canadian Police Association (CPA) is Canada’s largest law enforcement advocacy organization and the national voice for 60,000 police personnel across Canada. Membership includes police personnel serving in 160 police services across Canada, from Canada’s smallest towns and villages as well as those working in our largest municipal and provincial police services, and members of the railway police, and first nations’ police personnel.
For additional information:
Mr. Michael Gendron
Communications Officer, Canadian Police Association
(613) 299-6516 / mgendron@cpa-acp.ca
Media Contact for OPP Association:
Scott Mills Email: communications@oppa.ca / Cell 647-449-2801