OPP Sergeant Ann McEwen and OPP Provincial Constable Jason Sobkowicz of the Rainy River District join the 10-5 podcast to speak about being a police officers in Northern Ontario and experiencing PTSD. Topics discussed are the officers' stories on how PTSD evolved, the challenges of reaching out for help, advice on improving toxicity in the workplace, ways to cope and overcome PTSD in addition to clinical therapy, how understanding ego is an important part of recovery and how we can move forward positively together from a PTSD diagnosis with humanity and community.

OPP Association President John Cerasuolo and OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique for our annual “Year in Review” episode. As this episode was recorded on December 19, 2022, OPPA President Cerasuolo shares a brief message regarding the on-duty death of Provincial Constable Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala prior to the start of the episode.

OPP Association Director Dave Dube joins the 10-5 Podcast to discuss the current staffing levels in the Ontario Provincial Police.

OPPA Manager of Member Services Amie Fabiano joins the 10-5 podcast from the OPPA Head Office in Barrie, Ontario to provide an overview of member services for the close to 10,000 members of the OPP Association. Those services include Legal, Labour, Pension and Benefits, Training and Education, and much more.

David Sabatini is the new Vice-President of the OPP Association and the first Civilian Member to hold this role. He joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk about his career with the OPP, his election to the OPPA Board of Directors and transition to his new role. Additionally, David provides more information on the roles civilians play in the OPP, the OPPA’s “On-Call” system, and talks about his “three wishes” for the Association and its members.

The OPP Association’s newest Director, Rob Jamieson, is no stranger to the OPPA and our members. He joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk about his journey back to the Board of Directors and his new role, including the PTS/OSI portfolio and the Mental Health Steering Committee.

Liz Siydock is the Family Liaison Coordinator for the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, and the widow of OPP Provinical Constable Michael Siydock, who died in the line of duty on November 26, 2004. She joins the 10-5 Podcast to share information about her role.

Sergeant Bruce Angel from the OPP’s Grey Bruce Detachment joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk to our members about why “It’s Ok not to be OK.”

Provincial Constable Heidi Strutzenberger of the OPP’s Kenora Detachment joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk about the unique challenges of not only policing in the North but dealing with PTSD in a remote location.

Retired OPP Sergeant and former OPPA Branch #1 President John Flesher is now a psychotherapist working in private practice in Sarnia. John takes referrals from the OPPA’s Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program, and is listed on the "Find a Therapist" section of EncompasCare.ca. He joins guest host, Social Worker Carl Dalton of Dalton Associates to reduce the stigma related to mental health treatment by bringing listeners closer to the experience of being in therapy or doing self-work, both preventatively and in a moment of distress or discomfort. To listen to the episode click on the OPPA public facing blog, or for Google, Apple, Spotify and more click the photo above. The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members: Telephone - 1-866-794-9117 (Available 24/7) Email - [email protected] Website - EncompasCare.ca If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at [email protected].