All are invited to attend the 2nd Annual 2025 Ontario Police Suicide Memorial (OPSM) at 11a.m. ET, Sunday June 22, 2025 on Queen's Park Crescent, Toronto, to show support for all Ontario police members who have died "Because of the Line of Duty".

Our 10-5 Podcast guest is Psychologist Dr Andrew Ekblad.

Dr. Ekblad is a Board Member of Canada Beyond the Blue, the peer led organization leading the Ontario Police Suicide Memorial with support of the Police Association of Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and the Toronto Police Association.

Dr Ekblad discusses Post Traumatic Growth, and the importance of the Ontario Police Suicide Memorial.

Ontario Police members are invited to attend the OPSM in our out of uniform.

At 10:15 a.m. mustering will begin in the paved parking lot south of the Legislative Assembly Building.

A March to the Ceremony will begin promptly at 10:50 a.m.

The OPSM will be held at Queen's Park Crescent, which is located opposite Queen's Park. The closest intersection is Grosvenor Street & Queen's Park East.

Consider carpooling or taking public transit/GO Train if possible.

Alternatively, there are parking lots within a 10-15 minute walk from the Memorial site.

"Because of the Line of Duty"

Members are deserving of a formal memorial effort that recognizes the positive impact of their lives and legitimizes the grief of those who carry on their memory.

The relentless exposure to on-the-job trauma can significantly impact the mental health of police members.

Establishing a distinct memorial not only dignifies their service but also prompts stakeholders to advocate for comprehensive policies addressing the mental well-being of police members and their families.

Canada Beyond The Blue is committed to ensuring these individuals are never forgotten, and that their names are spoken aloud and meticulously recorded to honour their service and acknowledge their tragic loss.

OPSM pins can be ordered in bulk through the Canada Beyond the Blue website.

The OPP Association is the sole bargaining agent for the close to 10,000 members of the Ontario Provincial Police in Canada. Our members are our focus and our strength. We aim to provide important information to our members and the public about matters that affect policing in the province of Ontario.

Cheryl Russell of Canadian Blood Services talks about the importance of donating blood as part of the Partner For Life program on 10-5 The Official Podcast of the OPP Association. The OPPA has a team for blood donations. We encourage all of our Members to donate blood on a regular basis, and to become a member of our OPPA team. Members and the public can also join other teams. Book an appointment at Blood.ca or on the "GiveBlood" app available for download from the Apple App Store and from Google Play. Once you have the app downloaded, click on the "Partners For Life" section, search for our Ontario Provincial Police Association team and join us. Each time you donate, wherever that may be, your donation will count towards our goal of 100 donations for 2025.

The OPP Association is the sole bargaining agent for the close to 10,000 members of the Ontario Provincial Police in Canada. Our members are our focus and our strength. We aim to provide important information to our members and the public about matters that affect policing in the province of Ontario.

Lance Valcour had it all. Or so it seemed. A thirty-three-year career in policing, rising through the ranks to become an Inspector. A decorated veteran cop, respected as an expert in technology and information management systems, speaking and consulting to police services across Canada and around the world. A happy family, a loving wife and three amazing sons. That’s what everyone thought. That’s what everyone saw. If they only knew.

Lance joins 10-5 The Official Podcast of the OPP Assocation to discuss his journey. Behind the veneer lies a deeper story of pain, anger, and a lifelong struggle with addiction and mental health. If all those cops, colleagues, clients, and even friends and family could have seen his ugly private truth, they would have detested the monster he’d become.

Lance Valcour has recently published a book with the hope to help other police officers struggling with addiction and mental health. The book is titled If They Only Knew: A Cop's Journey with Addiction and Mental Health. It is an intensely personal story, not only of one man’s demons and depression, but also of a couple’s commitment, courage, and love, of a woman who, faced with her husband’s growing venom, anger, and cruelty, found the inner strength to stand up and say, “No more. This ends today.”

This podcast and the book explores the journey of a man who, faced with this ultimatum, eventually found the strength and courage to admit that he had a problem and needed help. Who, haunted by his own self-loathing, overcame his darkest days to find serenity, peace, and fulfillment.

The OPP Association is the sole bargaining agent for the close to 10,000 members of the Ontario Provincial Police in Canada. Our members are our focus and our strength. We aim to provide important information to our members and the public about matters that affect policing in the province of Ontario.