Police Association of Ontario (PAO)

The unifying voice for 46 police associations and 33,000 sworn & civilian police personnel across Ontario. President: @PresidentPAO. Account not monitored 24/7.

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Police Services Hero of the Year Awards! These exceptional individuals have gone above and beyond in service to their communities, demonstrating outstanding dedication, commitment, and bravery.

Congratulations to our 2026 winners:

• On-Duty Difference Maker (Uniform Officer): Constable Preston Gabriele, Hamilton Police Service
• On-Duty Difference Maker (Civilian): Olivia Gater, Thunder Bay Police Service
• Extra Mile Award: Constable Jacob Garcia, Peel Regional Police Service
• Community Role Model: Sergeant Devon Archer, Ottawa Police Service
• Police Hero Honour Roll: Dr. Angela Eke, OPP

Thank you for your continued service and for the meaningful impact you make in communities throughout Ontario every day.

To read the full press release and learn more about this year’s recipients, visit: https://t.co/1VceTm6SVH

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

PAO President Mark Baxter was pleased to attend the North Bay Police Association (NBPA)’s Annual General Meeting and Dinner last night. It was a great evening of connecting with colleagues, discussing shared priorities, and reinforcing the strong partnerships that help us serve our members. Thank you to the NBPA for the hospitality and a fun evening!

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Police Services Hero of the Year Awards Winner Spotlight⭐️

Congratulations to Olivia Gater of the Thunder Bay Police Service for being named the 2026 On-Duty Difference Maker (Civilian) Award recipient!

Olivia bridges policing and social care by leading innovative programs like ReconnectU and InReach, connecting vulnerable people in crisis with support, improving outcomes, and strengthening trust between police and the community.

Read more about her critical work here: https://t.co/EPBQAg5j1X

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Police Services Hero of the Year Awards Winner Spotlight⭐️

Congratulations to Devon Archer of the Ottawa Police Service for being named the 2026 Community Role Model Award recipient!

Sgt. Archer empowers youth and strengthens community connections through initiatives such as Grow a Writer and Ottawa Police Blues FC, offering mentorship, literacy support, and sport-based opportunities that help young people thrive.

Read more about his award-winning impact here: https://t.co/cIw9839baN

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Congratulations, Preston, on receiving the On-Duty Difference Maker (Uniform) Award! Your compassion and dedication truly make a difference every day. Thank you for your continued hard work, unwavering commitment, and service to others.

[Hamilton Spectator @TheSpec]

Handy ‘selfless’ Hamilton cop wins hero award for ‘going above and beyond’ https://t.co/TqdeidEw7Q

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Happy #PrideMonth 🌈

The PAO is a proud ally of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and celebrates the diversity, contributions, and history that strengthen our province. We remain committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported.

This month and throughout the year, we will continue to listen, learn, and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as we work toward a more inclusive future for all.

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Thank you, @PaulCalandra, for your remarks at our 94th Annual Meeting & Convention last week. We appreciate your recognition of the positive impact of police in schools and the important role they play in fostering safe and supportive learning environments for students.

[Paul Calandra @PaulCalandra]

Police play an important role in our schools by building trust, supporting student safety, and helping create learning environments where students can succeed.

It was a pleasure to attend and speak at the PAO President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony last week in Windsor.

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Congratulations to Dr. Eke on receiving the Police Hero Honour Roll Award! Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing research and evidence-informed public safety are truly inspiring. Well-deserved!

[Thomas Carrique @OPPCommissioner]

Dr. Angela Eke’s leadership in risk assessment, offender management and victim protection continues to advance evidence-informed policing across Ontario. As co-developer of the internationally recognized Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool, and through her leadership of collaborative, culturally responsive initiatives, Dr. Eke has played a significant role in strengthening #PublicSafety.

Congratulations, Dr. Eke on your well-deserved recognition as a recipient of the 2026 @PoliceAssocON Police Hero Honour Roll Award.
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Le leadership de la Dre Angela Eke en matière d’évaluation du risque, de gestion des délinquantes et délinquants et de protection des victimes continue de faire progresser des pratiques policières fondées sur des données probantes partout en #Ontario. À titre de codéveloppeuse de l’outil d’évaluation du risque des délinquants liés à la pornographie juvénile (Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool - CPORT), reconnu à l’échelle internationale, et grâce à son leadership dans la mise en œuvre d’initiatives collaboratives et adaptées aux réalités culturelles, la Dre Eke a joué un rôle important dans le renforcement de la #SécuritéPublique.

Félicitations Dre Eke, pour cette reconnaissance pleinement méritée à titre de lauréate du Prix du Tableau d’honneur des héros policiers 2026 de la Police Association of Ontario.

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Thank you, @TeamKerzner, for addressing attendees at our President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Your continued support of our members does not go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated.

[Michael Kerzner @TeamKerzner]

We will not stop.

That was my message to the @PoliceAssocON at their Annual Banquet in Windsor.

Under Premier @FordNation’s leadership, our government will always have the backs of the brave men and women who wear the flash and work every day to protect Ontario and keep our communities safe.

@OACPOfficial
@OPPAssociation
@TPAca

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Thank you @douglasdowney for your continued leadership and support for our members. It was a privilege to present you with a Police Association of Ontario Honorary Membership badge. Your contributions to our members are truly invaluable, and we thank you for remaining a strong champion of several of our key priorities.

[Doug Downey @douglasdowney]

Celebrating those who keep our communities safe.

Proud to attend the @PoliceAssocON’s 94th Annual General Meeting & Convention in #Windsor and recognize the bravery, dedication and professionalism of the men and women who serve on the front lines of Ontario’s justice system.

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

We're pleased to announce the Police Association of Ontario's 2026-2027 Board of Directors.

Congratulations to our Board members who were re-elected at last week’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Windsor: Mike Adair and Cameron Gough (Uniform Directors), and Kathryn Chytuk (Civilian Director). We are also pleased to welcome back Tim Reparon as Chair and Matt Jotham as Treasurer.

We look forward to working together to advance our priorities and deliver on behalf of our members throughout the coming year.

View their full bios here: https://t.co/rciwf9HJDw

Board members pictured from left to right: Mike Adair (Ontario Provincial Police Association), Tim Morrison (Durham Regional Police Association), Cameron Gough (Kingston Police Association), Becky Verreault (Halton Regional Police Association), Mark Baxter (Brantford Police Association), Matt Jotham (Guelph Police Association), Kathryn Chytuk (Barrie Police Association), Colin Woods (Thunder Bay Police Association), and Tim Reparon (Waterloo Regional Police Association).

[OPPA (OPP Association) @OPPAssociation]

Congratulations to OPP Association Director Mike Adair on being re-elected as a 2026-2027 Board Member of the Police Association of Ontario at the 94th PAO Annual Meeting and Convention in Windsor this week.

Congratulations to fellow PAO Board Members Kathryn Chytuk and Cameron Gough who were also re-elected.

Pictured is the entire 2026-2027 PAO Board. From left to right: Mike Adair, Tim Morrison, Cameron Gough, Becky Verreault, Mark Baxter, Matt Jotham, Kathryn Chytuk, Colin Woods, Tim Reparon.

Photo courtesy of the PAO

[Wakes Sammi @SammiWakes]

Four days. Countless conversations. New ideas, new connections & a renewed appreciation for the people supporting policing across Ontario.

Thank you to the @PoliceAssocON and the @windsorpa519 for an excellent week.

Grateful, inspired, and proud.

#PAO2026

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

That’s a wrap on the Police Association of Ontario’s 94th Annual Meeting & Convention! The past few days were filled with insightful presentations, engaging workshops, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the province, all with a shared focus on better supporting our members. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, and delegates who made this year’s conference such a memorable event. Looking forward to seeing everyone next year in Niagara!

[Police Association of Ontario (PAO) @PoliceAssocON]

Congratulations to John Cerasuolo, Past President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, on receiving the Dennis R. Latten Award, and to Jaimi Bannon, President of the Hamilton Police Association on receiving the John Walker Memorial Award, both presented during last night’s President’s Banquet & Awards Ceremony. These recognitions reflect their leadership, dedication, and service to the policing community. Thank you both for all that you do.

[OPPA (OPP Association) @OPPAssociation]

Congratulations to OPP Association member, Dr. Angela Eke on being awarded the 2026 Police Association of Ontario Police Hero Honour Roll Award.

The award is awarded annually to a police officer or civilian police service employee who has made a significant impact over the past decade.

OPP Association President David Sabatini was honoured to present and accept the award on Angela's behalf last night at the PAO's 94th Annual Meeting and Convention in Windsor, Ontario.

Angela was recognized for her province-wide impact on policing through leadership in risk assessment, offender management, and victim protection.

She co-developed the internationally validated Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT), widely used to improve risk assessment in high-risk cases. She has also led collaborative initiatives, including the CELIA Intimate Partner Violence Project, working with Indigenous partners such as the Chiefs of Ontario and the Barrie Native Friendship Centre to enhance culturally responsive policing and victim safety.

Her work continues to advance evidence-based policing through research, partnerships, and applied practice.

[York Regional Police Association @YRPAca]

Congratulations to our Vice President, Mike Buchanan, on receiving the @PoliceAssocON Harry DeJong Award for 10 years of dedicated association service.

A well deserved recognition! Thank you Mike, for your advocacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving our members.

[Lindsay Police Assoc @Lindsay_PA]

Congratulations to Parker Cunday, our Civilian Representative, on being recognized at #PAO2026 for completing Level 1 of the @PoliceAssocON Representative Excellence Program. Investing in strong member representation starts with strong training. 👏

[Guelph Police Association @Guelph_PA]

The #GuelphPoliceAssociation would like to thank the Police Association of Ontario for hosting the PAO 94th Annual Meeting & Convention in #Windsor this week. Very well run event! #PAO2026

@PoliceAssocON @GuelphPolice @Guelph_PA

[Hamilton Police Association @HPAHamilton]

The Board attended the @PoliceAssocON’s 94th Annual Meeting; a week full of presentations, workshops & networking. At the President’s Banquet, President Bannon was honoured with the John Walker Memorial Award & Cst. Gabriele received the Uniform On Duty Difference Maker Award.