Causes, Campaigns, and Commitments
This section reflects the OAPSB’s ongoing dedication to progress in policing across Ontario. Whether advocating for inclusive practices, supporting outreach efforts, or partnering on public awareness campaigns, we highlight initiatives that strengthen leadership, foster community trust, and promote professional excellence. These causes and collaborations, current and future, demonstrate our commitment to meaningful engagement and thoughtful advancement in modern policing and community safety and well being.
Answer the Call Campaign 2025
Ontario’s Police Service Boards are proud to support “Answer the Call”; a first-of-its-kind, province-wide campaign to recruit the next generation of police officers.
With over 50 police services participating, this initiative is a bold step toward modernizing recruitment, strengthening public safety, and building police services that reflect the communities they serve.
Lisa Darling, M.O.M., Executive Director of OAPSB, shared:
“Police services across Ontario are under real pressure to fill critical roles, and boards see that strain every day. Answer the Call is a coordinated effort to reach the right candidates with clear, accessible information about what a policing career involves. It’s a practical response to a growing challenge, and we’re proud to support an initiative that puts people and public safety first.”
A Branding Toolkit for Services that are hiring can be found in the member’s portal for Boards to access.
Gender Equity in Policing
A national movement that is inspired by the U.S. 30×30 initiative, 30Forward is uniquely designed to address the specific challenges and opportunities for women in law enforcement across Canada.
This initiative calls on police leaders to take a pledge with measurable, actionable commitments to recruit, retain, and advance women in policing while fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in policing, particularly in leadership roles. Research shows that increasing the number of women in policing leads to better community engagement, improved public trust, and more effective policing strategies. However, systemic barriers—including recruitment challenges, workplace culture, work-life balance, and a lack of mentorship opportunities—continue to hinder progress.
Ontario Women in Law Enforcement (OWLE) is an organization that grew from an idea to bring together the female members of the law enforcement field from across the province.
It was recognized that many police services within Ontario are either too small or simply do not employ significant numbers of females to form individual organizations. This forum provides an opportunity for members to network and access professional development opportunities.
Recognizing that there exists strength in unity and numbers, Ontario Women in Law Enforcement encourages women from each and every police service, and other affiliated law enforcement agencies within the province of Ontario, to collectively address their common interests and concerns.
ADVANCING “WE” IN POLICING ONTARIO WORKING GROUP
WE strive to create safe spaces for everyone and believe that belonging, safety and connection are the way forward in cultivating healthy workspaces for everyone within the profession of policing. WE pride ourselves on creating conferences and delivering training that include fulsome discussions, tangible take aways, fireside chats, expert presenters, executive leaders as well as providing opportunity for those conversations that many tend to steer away from. WE believe that connection creates empathy and builds trust, relationships develop which grow support systems across the province. So, if you are looking to build your network, your support system and be surrounded by like-minded, passionate people, our conferences are for you! WE are frustrated with surveys that continue to yield the same results for women and all members that continue to face the same barriers, biases and challenges. WE look towards creating the new Modern Leadership required within policing to create sustainable change for all members to be afforded the opportunity to come to work and feel valued, heard and appreciated without fear of repercussion or oppression for being their authentic selves and speaking their truths. Change is happening all around us and WE believe that providing opportunities to connect, network, learn from one another and gather like minded people together is the catalyst for actioning change & accelerating action. Women supporting and cheering for other women & Male allies being able to safely stand up for what is right. WE pride ourselves in creating conferences that provide tangible solutions while empowering attendees to impact and influence within their span of control to be the change they wish to see. WE are passionate about cultivating psychologically safe work spaces and supporting courageous leaders who want to do the same within their services by offering training and consulting services. #StrongerTogether
Pathways to Reconciliation & Respect
We believe in standing up for truth, equity and compassion. This space highlights the causes that matter deeply to our communities including honouring Indigenous children and families through Every Child Matters and reflecting on our shared journey toward reconciliation. These are not just moments of remembrance but calls to action, reflection and unity.
Mental Health & Wellness
Police governance boards play a vital role in shaping safe and healthy communities. As their trusted advisor in governance, OAPSB supports efforts that prioritize mental health and wellness across all levels of policing. We advocate for policies and practices that promote psychological safety, reduce stigma, and ensure access to appropriate supports for both police personnel and the public. By embedding mental wellness into governance frameworks, boards can lead with empathy, accountability, and resilience.
Wallace Award
Colonel Wallace Award
Initiated by the Municipal Police Authorities in 1983, the Colonel Wallace Award is presented annually to the Ontario Police College (OPC) recruit who was most proficient in academic achievement. The recipient of the award receives a personalized plaque commemorating their achievements, and a modest stipend. A second plaque, with the winners named inscribed, is kept at OPC.
A native of Pembroke, Colonel A.A. (Art) Wallace served on the OAPSB Board of Directors from 1973 to 1982, and was President of the Association in 1976-77. Colonel Wallace had a long and distinguished military career including service in WWII with the Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regiment. On retirement from the militia in 1958, he entered municipal politics and was a Pembroke councilor from 1948 to 1957 and Mayor for two years.
Award Recipients
2018 Cst. Stephen J.R. Irvine of the Ottawa Police Service
2017 Cst. Calvin J. Barfitt of the York Regional Police
2016 Cst. Marshal Hutchinson, Ontario Provincial Police
2015 Cst. Jessie Rizzoli, Peel Regional Police
2012 Cst. Andrew Markle, Ontario Provincial Police
2011 Cst. Joel A. Cox, York Regional Police Service
2010 Cst. Jacob Braun, Niagara Police Service
2009 Cst. Kulvinder Mann, Toronto Police Service
2008 Cst. Craig Nigh, Guelph Police Service
2007 Cst. Bradley Olsen, Ontario Provincial Police
2006 Cst. Karl Gerulath, Peel Regional Police
2005 Cst. Jason Boutcher, Waterloo Regional Police Service
2004 Cst. Patrick Costello, Toronto Police Service
2003 Cst. Christopher Coene, Ontario Provincial Police
2002 Cst. Mark Minami, Toronto Police Service
2001 Cst. Brent A. Thompson, Ontario Provincial Police
1999 Cst. Ronald H. Smith, Ontario Provincial Police
1998 Cst. Craig Fyfe, Niagara Regional Police
1996 Cst. Craig Tourangeau, Toronto Police
1995 Cst. Barry Easton, Durham Regional Police
1994 Cst. Sandra Loos, Ontario Provincial Police
1993 Cst. Steven R. Thompson, Ontario Provincial Police
1992 Cst. Miles F. Hatcher, Ontario Provincial Police
1991 Cst. Sean P. Sparling, Sault Ste. Marie Police
1990 Cst. Christopher E. Burton, Peel Regional
1989 Cst. James T. Gow, Waterloo Regional Police
1988 Cst. Gilbert Medve, Ontario Provincial Police
1987 Cst. David Bishop, Waterloo Regional Police
1986 Cst. Stephen Mendyk, Peel Regional Police
1985 Cst. Todd Zimmerman, Sudbury Regional
1984 Cst. Romano Calvano, Peel Regional Police
1983 Cst. Michael Sanford, Gloucester Police