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Media Release
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance Forge New Applied Research Partnership
Collaboration will provide police leaders with access to a national applied research network and evidence-based advisory support
For Immediate Release: July 29, 2026
(Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance (CSKA) have entered into a new, two‑year strategic partnership designed to provide police leaders across the province with structured access to a national applied research network and evidence-based advisory support on critical issues shaping policing in the Province of Ontario.
CSKA is a non‑profit applied research organization that has supported Chiefs of Police and community safety leaders across Canada since 2015. It provides a cost‑effective research and advisory resource that complements the work led by Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto, OACP’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, Research, and Corporate Communications.
“Partnering with CSKA is part of our strategic approach to developing our capacity to deliver leading-edge research that supports our advocacy, communications, and other services to our members,” said Paul Pedersen, OACP Executive Director. “CSKA has a proven track record in delivering research that is evidence-informed and applicable to the needs of police services. We are excited to work together to support police leadership through this important initiative”.
With this new initiative, the OACP joins a network of Canadian police leaders and strategic partners across Canada, gaining access to national and international experts, the Journal of Community Safety and Well-being, and other collaborative projects.
“This partnership reflects what we have always believed here at CSKA: that evidence-informed policing is strongest when research and practice are built together, not handed down,” said Cal Corley, CSKA’s Chief Executive Officer. “The OACP brings deep credibility and direct connection to Ontario's police leaders. CSKA brings a national research portfolio and expert network to back them up. Together, we are raising the bar for what association membership can deliver.”
Partnering with CSKA is part of an emerging OACP research strategy aimed at supporting the association’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, specifically through the OACP’s objectives to, “Drive Change Through Impactful Advocacy, Goal 4: Build our research capacity through subject matter expertise and enhanced knowledge transfer” and “Strengthen the police profession, Goal 1: Develop pathways to leadership development in policing, incorporating leading practices, research-led approaches, and mentorship opportunities.”
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