Staff

Paul Pedersen, OACP Executive Director

Paul Pedersen started his role as Executive Director with the OACP on June 24, 2024. He has more than 40 years of exceptional experience in policing having served in senior leadership positions with York Regional Police and Chief of  Police of the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

Paul holds a Master of Public Administration from Western University along with a Diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and is a graduate of Executive Leadership programs from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Business, the National Police Improvement Agency in the United Kingdom and the Senior Management Institute for Police through the Police Executive Research Forum in the United States.

Paul is a proud Officer of the Merit of the Police Forces and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal and the Police Exemplary Service medal as well s being invested as a Member in the Order of St. John.

Paul is passionate about community engagement serving on the Board of St. John Ambulance as the Vice-Chair, the Chair of the Sudbury Food Bank, the Chair of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, and a past President of the Cambrian College Board. He participates in a wide variety of community events connection with diverse and multicultural communities all thorough the year.

Dr. Jose Luis (Joe) Couto, OACP Director of Strategic Initiatives, Research, and Corporate Communications

Dr. José Luís Couto is a public policy and communications professional with 38 years of experience in public affairs, research, and strategic communications. Dr. Couto joined the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police in 2004 as Director of Government Relations and Communications. In February 2026, he was appointed Director of Strategic Initiatives, Research, and Corporate Communications. Previously, he was a Senior Consultant at Enterprise Canada, where he advised clients on key policy areas, including public safety, municipal affairs, education, housing, energy, and taxation.

In addition to his role at the OACP, Dr. Couto is Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University’s School of Humanitarian Studies and School of Communication and Culture, and a part-time Professor at the University of Guelph-Humber. His research has explored identity formation in policing, with a particular focus on 2SLGBTQI+ officers and intersectionality within police organizational cultures. He is the author of Covered in Blue: Police Culture and LGBT Police Officers in the Province of Ontario and Female (2014) and Gay. Cop: The Intersectionality of Gender and Sexual Orientation in Police Culture (2018), both landmark academic studies of gay police officers in Canada. His doctoral work, The Constructing of Canadian Police Officers’ Identity (2023), was published by and made available to senior Canadian police leaders by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Born in Brazil, Dr. Couto holds a Doctor of Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University, and a BA in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University). His contributions to public safety and academic research have earned him the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013), Serving With Pride Ally Award (2016), and two teaching excellence awards – the 2016 Outstanding New Associate Faculty Award, School of Communication & Culture, Royal Roads University, and the 2025 Teaching Excellence Award for Royal Roads University’s Master of Arts in Professional Communications Teaching Excellence Award.

Dr. Couto currently serves on the Executive Team of 30Forward, a national initiative promoting the advancement of women in policing.

Joe Couto Biography

Sharon Seepersad, OACP Director, Administration, Revenue & Member Relations

Sharon Seepersad is a dedicated and accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in administrative management. A graduate of St. Stephen's College in Trinidad and Tobago, Sharon has built a reputation for her commitment, reliability, and willingness to go the extra mile in every role she undertakes.

Sharon began her career in the private sector, where she spent more than 20 years as an office manager. Her exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail quickly earned her recognition as a dependable and proficient leader.

In 2010, Sharon joined the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), fulfilling a personal ambition to work in the field of policing—a decision deeply rooted in her desire to honor her father, a well-respected Inspector of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Her father's legacy of service and dedication to the community inspired Sharon to contribute to the policing community in her own way.

Since joining the OACP, Sharon has been an integral part of the team, applying her extensive experience and professionalism to support the organization’s mission. Her role at the OACP allows her to combine her administrative expertise with her passion for public service, making a lasting impact within the policing community.

Larissa Pereira, OACP Research and Committees Specialist

Larissa works closely with all OACP committees, supporting them to advance their goals and priorities, as well as assists the Board and the senior Directors in developing evidence-informed information that aligns with the Strategic Plan and the direction of the OACP. Larissa also provides support in communications, advocacy, and member services initiatives.

A native of Brazil, Larissa holds a Bachelor of Social Science – Criminal Justice (Honours) and a Diploma in Community and Justice Services (Honours), both from Humber College in Toronto. She successfully completed an internship with the OACP in 2017, as well as an internship with the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (currently the Ministry of the Solicitor General) in 2014, where she assisted with several legislative processes, communication, and research. Larissa has also volunteered in several areas focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, and community safety.

Prior to joining the OACP, Larissa was a Field Manager at Explorer Research, where she was responsible for the successful execution of behavioral research projects in both domestic and international markets.

Michael Pharai, OACP Administrative Assistant

Michael Pharai serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). In this role, he provides vital support to the association’s daily operations, assisting with event coordination, communications, and member services. Known for his strong organizational skills and attention to detail, Michael ensures that OACP initiatives run smoothly and efficiently.

Michael holds an Honours Degree in Criminology and previously worked as a Security Guard with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, where he gained valuable experience in safety, security, and public engagement. His background and dedication help the OACP deliver on its mission to support police leaders across Ontario.

Kevin Bunting, OACP Event Coordinator

Kevin is a passionate and seasoned event professional with over two decades of experience producing live concerts and world-class events across a wide range of venues. Known for his upbeat, friendly, and positive approach—even in the most challenging situations—he takes pride in his ability to consistently under-promise and over-deliver.

Before joining the OACP, Kevin spent 14 years with Ontario Lottery & Gaming, where he oversaw entertainment programming at 20 casinos across the province. By cultivating strong relationships with an established roster of recording artists, he successfully executed large-scale concerts designed to deliver exceptional experiences for audiences. Kevin also managed OLG’s experiential marketing activations, leading projects from concept to execution at festivals and sporting events to build brand awareness and customer engagement.