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

We are excited to launch a new feature that spotlights the dedicated individuals serving our 32,000 members across the province. This initiative begins with a profile of our first At-Large Director, giving members an inside look at the personal and professional journeys of those representing them.

Each spotlight will highlight the members’ tenure, professional backgrounds, favourite aspects of board and committee service, key priorities, and proudest accomplishments. By sharing these stories, we hope to give members a deeper understanding of their Association’s work and its positive impact on the policing sector in Ontario. Now, without further ado, meet Becky Verreault, Police Association of Ontario At-Large Director (2024-2027) from the Halton Regional Police Association.

I have been serving on the HRPA Board as a Civilian Director for two terms, totalling six years. I will be beginning my third term in 2026. In 2024, I was also elected to the PAO Board of Directors as the first At-Large Director, which has allowed me to bring a broader civilian perspective to provincial-level discussions.

I began my career with the Halton Regional Police Service in 2010 as a Communicator and worked in that role—including as a Communications Trainer and intermittent Acting Supervisor—for more than a decade. In 2023, I was promoted to Communications Supervisor, and I am currently assigned to Quality Assurance. In this position, I oversee policy compliance, policy development, and training initiatives aimed at improving member performance and service delivery.

Communications is truly the hub of the organization. Our unit interacts with virtually every area of the police service, which gives me a wide lens into operational needs, member pressures, workload challenges, and the realities facing both civilian and uniform personnel. This broad awareness directly benefits my work on the board—I am able to draw on these connections and experiences when navigating complex issues, advocating for resources, or supporting other associations. My background has also allowed me to approach board matters from both a member-focused and organizational perspective, which has proven valuable in helping shape balanced and practical decisions.

Additionally, I have served as Co-Chair of our Joint Health & Safety Committee for the past four years. The experience gained through that role has strengthened my understanding of labour legislation, workplace safety considerations, and risk mitigation strategies. It also positioned me well to take on the health and safety portfolio with the PAO, further expanding the knowledge I can bring back to our members.

My favourite part of serving on the board has been the opportunity to connect with other associations across the province, especially smaller associations that may not have access to the same resources or networks. Being able to share information, connect them with supports, or help them navigate challenges is incredibly rewarding. Watching those connections lead to tangible improvements for their members reinforces why this work matters and why collaboration within the police association community is so important.

I am deeply passionate about the protection, wellness, and long-term job security of our civilian members. They are often the first point of contact for the public and play a critical role in supporting frontline operations. As technology continues to evolve, civilians are being exposed to new types of content and new operational pressures that were not always part of the role when they joined. Ensuring they receive the same mental-health protections, training supports, and workplace considerations as their uniform counterparts is a priority I am committed to advancing.

I also believe strongly in fostering a more connected provincial network—one where resources, best practices, and lessons learned are shared more seamlessly among associations. Strengthening these relationships helps elevate all members, regardless of the size of their association.

I am most proud of leading the HRPA in hosting the 2024 Civilian Conference. Coordinating the event involved extensive planning and collaboration, but the outcome was incredibly rewarding. We received excellent feedback, meaningful discussions were sparked, and many new professional connections were formed across the province. It was an honour to showcase the essential work of civilian members and create a space dedicated entirely to their development and shared experiences.