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A Joint Statement by
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and
the Police Association of Ontario on
Recent Line of Duty Deaths
On behalf of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), we want to speak to our police members and communities across our province following the recent line-of-duty deaths that have deeply impacted our policing community. In the past 90 days in Canada, five police officers have been killed in the line of duty, including three who have been murdered.
Line-of-duty deaths since March 31, 2026, in Ontario and Québec:
- Sûreté du Québec Sergeant Anaïs Fortin-Cozzens (Killed on March 31)
- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sergeant Brandon Malcolm (Killed on April 27)
- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Provincial Constable Tarun Bali (Murdered on June 9)
- Toronto Police Service Constable Marc Pinizzotto (Murdered on June 11)
- Service de police de la Ville de Montréal Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane (Murdered on June 22)
These brave and dedicated police officers all tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, and three additional officers have been shot and seriously injured this week. The Police Association of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police stand united in the face of these tragedies and in our support of our policing members.
These tragic and senseless losses have shaken our police services in Ontario, Québec, and across our nation. They are felt by every member and serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced each and every day by those who serve and protect our communities.
Police members understand that their dedication to serving their fellow citizens carries risks to their personal safety. Our frontline members willingly put on the uniform - one that brings with it both pride and a commitment to duty and service - knowing the risks they face by doing so.
We recognize that moments like this affect each of us differently. They reinforce both the strength of our shared commitment and the profound sacrifice made by those in uniform.
To all police members: please know that you are not alone. Across Ontario, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Association of Ontario, police services and associations, leaders, and peer support networks are here for you. We encourage you to access the wellness support available within your police service and associations, including peer support teams, spiritual care, and other resources. Just as importantly, take the time to check in on one another.
In times like these, it is our unity, compassion, and professionalism that guide us forward. We must continue to remain vigilant, grounded, and focused as we serve our communities.
We will remember, we will support one another, and we will carry forward the legacy of those we have lost.
Sincerely,
Chief Peter Moreira Mark Baxter
President President
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Police Association of Ontario
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