Profiles in Service: The Heart of the Police Association of Ontario

In honour of International Women’s Day, we are proud to feature Lynn Neale—a trailblazer whose leadership, empathy, and advocacy have made a profound difference throughout our Association and beyond. This special Profiles in Service feature delves into Lynn’s extraordinary journey as a champion for equity, mental wellness, and family support within policing. Her story reflects the courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment that define women leaders in law enforcement—and the positive impact they have on our communities.

Lynn’s work with police memorials and support networks has brought comfort and connection to families facing loss. As a passionate advocate for mental health and inclusion, she embodies the spirit of International Women’s Day—demonstrating leadership, compassion, and an unwavering drive to uplift others.

In this profile, Lynn reflects on her proudest achievements, her journey as a woman in policing, the importance of supporting others, and the women who have inspired her path. We are pleased to present Lynn Neale, Director of the Ontario Provincial Police Association.

My work with the police memorials and the families and loved ones has been most fulfilling and one of my highlights. I have been a Director and now Vice President of the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation (OPMF) Board, working closely with families who have lost someone in the line of duty and have come to call many friends. To be a part of their journey is an honour and privilege that I do my best to be worthy of.

I was also given the opportunity to serve on the OPSM steering committee from its inception, and I have been grateful for it. We have developed a memorial that provides closure and acknowledges what the Support Outreach Love Assistance Connection Empowerment (SOLACE) family network has been through, as well as the need to support them. I have done everything I can to bring the same support to them as I do our Survivors of Law Enforcement (SOLE) families.

Grief is grief, and no one wants to walk the path either of the families has to. I have always promised that the role of memorials and those who work on them is to ensure that no loved one is ever forgotten and that no family member is left without support.

This also leads to my work around mental health and the importance of including families in the mental health journey of members.

I have been an active OPPA member since I joined the OPP. I saw people before me be champions for others, ensuring that people are treated appropriately and equitably. When I was in need, I had the support I needed and required, and for that reason, I have become the advocate I had and would want. I am passionate about ensuring members' rights are honoured and that our members know they have someone they can turn to. I engage without judgment, without preconceptions or assumptions. Our role is difficult as members don't reach out on their good days. For that reason, it's important to give people grace. I have never been confrontational or aggressive, and that has served me well. I have been able to advocate for and demonstrate my points, achieving the best outcomes for our members with the employer and government. To help the employer understand why something is not only correct by policy but also allows a member to be made whole, and by extension, someone who will be a positive and contributing member to the organization, is so gratifying. For me, my work is my passion, and I put my heart into it. When one of our members leaves a situation feeling supported and knowing that I have their best interests at the heart of what I do, that is all I can ask for.

Policing is a great profession, and I encourage those interested to do their research and discover their why. This job comes with challenges, like shift work and missed celebrations, but it also offers opportunities to make a difference for your family and your community. It's not an easy job, and there are days that will be tough, but there will be great days! Those are the days you hold onto. Don't come out trying to prove you deserve to be here; you were hired on the same terms as everyone else. You're here, now stay true to yourself. We each do this job differently. No matter your gender, background, or life experiences, that's what makes us a great team. If you try to be like everyone else, you aren't the person who was hired, and you do a disservice to the job. Most of all, have fun! Celebrate every victory, no matter how small. They all matter. There are so many opportunities to engage, be part of your community, support your colleagues, and make your family proud.

I have a couple of women in this profession who have inspired me for different reasons. One in particular was a staff sergeant (ret.) who showed me that you can care for people and still do your job and hold people accountable, but in a way that didn't leave them demoralized or angry. She also took an interest in my leadership potential and introduced me to the power of women supporting other women and the importance of welcoming others to the table. It's so important to understand it's not a competition amongst ourselves. There is room at the table for all, and we are stronger together. She also demonstrated the importance of self-reflection and emotional intelligence. Being open to hearing how others perceive you is so vital to connecting with people. Your intentions can be true and good, but if your efforts aren't perceived that way, we need to be open to looking in the mirror and be self-aware enough to adjust when warranted. I'm not advocating for changing who you are, but sometimes how we go about things needs to be adjusted depending on the audience. I will always be grateful for her influence and the friendship we eventually developed, which I still rely on today.

April, May and June are always my busiest months and also ones I get excited about. There are the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement (OWLE) Awards, which acknowledge and honour outstanding women in this profession. It's always great to see women coming together with their allies to celebrate achievements, each other, and the work we do. The 2026 Ontario Ceremony of Remembrance, hosted by the OPMF, is Sunday, May 3rd, and the Ontario Police Suicide Memorial is Sunday, June 7th. I would encourage everyone to mark the dates and come out to honour the families affected by loss.