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Our Team


The Police Association of Ontario is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of nine members elected by local association delegates at our Annual Meeting. The Board provides strategic oversight and sets the direction, values and policies of the association. The day-to-day operations of the organization are carried out by a dedicated staff, led by the Executive Director, ensuring that the Police Association of Ontario remains effective in serving the needs of our members across Ontario.

Board of Directors

Mark Baxter

President

Brantford Police Association

Meet Mark (Bio)

Mark was elected President of the Police Association of Ontario in 2021 and was re-elected for a second term in 2024. He is an accomplished leader, recognized for advocating and advancing the rights, interests, and well-being of Ontario’s police personnel. 

 

Mark joined the Police Association of Ontario Board of Directors as a Uniform Director in 2014, serving for seven years, including five as Board Chair. He has contributed to several significant initiatives, including serving on the Thunder Bay Expert Panel, the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission, and as Co-Chair of the Section 21 Advisory Committee. Mark’s dedication to member wellness and mental health is evident through his role on the Canada Beyond the Blue Awards Committee. 

 

Mark’s passion for labour relations stems from his local police association in Brantford, Ontario. He served as Vice President of the Brantford Police Association from 2012 to 2015 and as President from 2015 to 2021. 

 

Beginning his policing career in 2005 with the Brantford Police Service, Mark has held various roles, including frontline patrol, high school resource officer, and collision reconstructionist. At the time of his election to the Police Association of Ontario, he was a frontline patrol sergeant. 

 

Outside of work, Mark is a proud father of two young boys. In his free time, he coaches U11 rep baseball and has been a basketball referee for over 25 years, officiating at local, OCAA, and USport games at the provincial and national levels. 

Tim Reparon

Chair

Waterloo Regional Police Association

Meet Tim (Bio)

Tim has been a dedicated law enforcement professional since February 2000, serving as a police constable with the Waterloo Regional Police Service. With a solid educational background in Law & Security from Fanshawe College and Political Science from Western University, Tim has gained extensive experience across various patrol, investigative, and support roles. 

 

In December 2013, Tim joined the Waterloo Regional Police Association as a Uniform Director. His leadership capabilities quickly became apparent, leading to his election as Treasurer and later as Vice President in 2014. Tim was the first elected full-time Vice President in 2017, representing both uniform and civilian members on critical matters such as contract negotiations, discipline, WSIB, Civilian Job Evaluation and Return to Work Programs, promotions, and health and safety issues. He has been an integral part of the lead bargaining team for three collective agreements. 

 

In May 2019, Tim was elected to the Police Association of Ontario Board of Directors, where he served as Zone 2 Director. Currently, in his second elected term, Tim holds the position of Chair of the Board. Additionally, in September 2021, he was appointed as the Police Association of Ontario’s representative on the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission (OPAAC). 

 

Tim is committed to professional development, demonstrated by his completion of the Police Association of Ontario’s “Representative Excellence Level 3” program and participation in various workshops, conferences, and lobbying efforts. He has also completed the Executive Leadership Program at the Telfer School of Management and the Executive Program in Governance, Risk, and Financial Literacy at the Rotman School of Management, equipping him with vital skills for effective member representation and engagement.

Matt Jotham

Uniform Director and Treasurer

Guelph Police Association

Meet Matt (Bio)

Matt Jotham is currently serving in his 29th year with the Guelph Police Service. He began his career in 1995 as a civilian member, working as a custodian, and attended the Ontario Police College in 2000. After successfully transitioning into a uniform position, Matt spent most of his career on the front lines, including roles in Traffic, Uniform Patrol, and as “Officer Matt” in the School Resource Officer program. He currently serves as a Constable in Uniform Patrol. 

 

Throughout his policing career, Matt has dedicated over 25 years to serving the members of the Guelph Police Association (GPA). He was a Director on the GPA Board for 10 years (1998-2008) before becoming President in 2009, a role he held for 12 years. In 2021, although he decided not to seek re-election as President, he was elected by the GPA membership as Treasurer, a position he is now in his 4th year of holding. 

 

On a provincial level, Matt has contributed to several committees within the Police Association of Ontario, including the Police Association of Ontario Governance Committee, Police Association of Ontario Finance Committee, Police Association of Ontario Human Resources Committee, and currently serves on the Police Association of Ontario Pensions Committee. He was elected as a Police Association of Ontario Uniform Director in 2022 and as Police Association of Ontario Treasurer in 2024. 

 

Matt is a recipient of the 25-year Harry DeJong pin for long-time Association service and was recently honored as the Guelph Police Service Member of the Year. He takes great pride in representing the interests of Ontario’s sworn and civilian police personnel. 

Mike Adair

Uniform Director

Ontario Provincial Police Association

Meet Mike (Bio)

Mike began his career with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in 1998 after earning a degree in Political Science from Carleton University. Over the years, he served in various detachments across Ontario, including Barrie, where he currently resides. 

 

Mike’s dedication to the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) began soon after his hiring, quickly rising to become a branch president—a role he held for a decade. Known for his relentless advocacy, Mike earned a reputation as a tireless champion for his members, leading to his position as a Director on the provincial board. 

 

In 2015, Mike successfully campaigned for a seat on the OPPA Provincial Board of Directors, where he managed multiple portfolios. Notably, his terms as Vice President and President of the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation were significant, as he forged lasting connections with the families of fallen officers. 

 

In 2023, Mike was elected to the Police Association of Ontario Board after the OPPA rejoined the Association, drawing on 26 years of policing and extensive association experience. He is currently assigned to Zone 3 and sits on several Police Association of Ontario committees. 

Anne Brennan-Walsh

Civilian Director

Belleville Police Association

Meet Anne (Bio)

Anne’s introduction to Association work came through former Belleville Police Association President John Walker, under whom she served as Civilian Director. Anne credits John’s dedication as a mentor for her initial years of service. 

 

Anne served as the Civilian Director for the Belleville Police Association for several years before stepping away in the mid-2000s. In 2012, she was asked to complete a six-month term as Vice-President and has continued in that role for over a decade. Additionally, Anne is the Funds Administrator for the Police Association Co-operative Assistance Plan (PACAP). 

 

In 2022, Anne joined the Ontario Police Association Board of Directors as one of two Civilian Directors. She has served on both the HR and Mental Health committees and was recognized with the Harry DeJong award for Association Service that same year. 

 

Anne considers serving as a Police Association Executive, both locally in Belleville and provincially, one of her proudest achievements. She views her role in guiding and representing members as a humbling honour. 

 

Anne has worked for the Belleville Police Service since 1989. She has been married since 1990, and she and her husband have two adult children and two grandchildren. 

Cameron Gough

Uniform Director

Kingston Police Association

Meet Cameron (Bio)

Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Cam began his policing career with Kingston Police in 2002. Over the years, he has served in Patrol, the Tactical Unit, Criminal Investigations, Major Crime, and the Court Office. Currently, he is the Staff Sergeant of the CORE Unit, overseeing the Community Response Unit and Traffic Unit. His extensive policing and leadership experience informs his contributions to the Police Association of Ontario Board, where he has played a key role in transitions like the CSPA and initiatives in recruitment, retention, and member wellness. 

 

Cameron has 13 years of executive-level police association experience, starting with the Kingston Police Association (KPA) Board in 2012 as a Sworn Director. He served as KPA President from 2016-2021 before shifting focus to his duties with the Police Association of Ontario Board, where he was first elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2023. 

 

Known for his hands-on approach, Cameron’s experience in collective bargaining, grievances, member wellness, and more has given him a deep understanding of member issues. He led the KPA, with Police Association of Ontario’s assistance, in initiating one of the first member surveys, which led to significant changes within the police organization. 

 

Cameron is committed to supporting the Police Association of Ontario President, the Board, and the membership, ensuring the Police Association of Ontario continues to advocate for the rights and working conditions of all Civilian and Sworn members across Ontario. 

Becky Verreault

At-Large Director

Halton Regional Police Association

Meet Becky (Bio)

Becky began her career with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) in 2010 as a Communicator and progressed through various roles, including Communications Trainer and Acting Supervisor. In 2023, she was promoted to Communications Supervisor. 

 

In 2020, Becky joined the Halton Regional Police Association (HRPA) as a Civilian Director, bringing a unique perspective to the board. During her first term, she contributed to the Bargaining, Joint Health and Safety, and Social committees, leading to her re-election in 2023. Her commitment to the broader policing community resulted in her nomination and acclamation as a Director-at-large with the Police Association of Ontario (in 2024. 

 

Outside of work, Becky is married to a police officer, and they share their home with two rescue dogs: Quinn from Jamaica and Cali from Mexico. Together, they enjoy travelling and camping. 

Colin Woods

Uniform Director

Thunder Bay Police Association

Meet Colin (Bio)

Colin began his policing career with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) in May 2005, serving numerous First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario, primarily Kasabonika Lake First Nation and Sachigo Lake First Nation. In August 2010, Colin transitioned to the Thunder Bay Police Service, where he has been employed ever since. 

 

Throughout his career, Colin has predominantly worked in uniform patrol but has also held roles in Community Services, the Community Response Team, Intelligence, and the Criminal Investigations Branch on the Break and Enter and Robbery Unit. Most recently, he has been seconded to Corporate Services, where he leads the Community Safety & Policing Act implementation project for the Thunder Bay Police Service. 

 

In November 2012, Colin was elected to his first term as a Uniform Director for the Thunder Bay Police Association, and he was re-elected in November 2015. During his six years as Uniform Director, Colin was an active member of the Joint Health and Safety Committee and the Joint Uniform and Equipment Committee. He also represented members in SIU and PSA investigations, dealt with grievances, and handled other day-to-day duties. In November 2020, Colin was elected President of the Thunder Bay Police Association and was acclaimed for another term in November 2023. 

 

At the provincial level, Colin was elected as a Uniform Director for the Police Association of Ontario in May 2019 and was re-elected in 2022. During his tenure on the Police Association of Ontario Board, Colin has served as the Zone Representative for Zone 5, encompassing all associations in Northern Ontario. He has also been a member of the governance and pensions committees and has represented the Police Association of Ontario on the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation Board of Directors since December 2019, a role he is deeply honoured to hold. 

 

Outside of his policing career, Colin is married to his wife Jessy and is a proud pet parent to their dog, Tuulo. Colin enjoys camping during the summer and playing and refereeing hockey during the winter months. 

Our Staff

Tyler Callaghan

Executive Director
tyler.callaghan@pao.ca | 416-487-9367 ext. 102

As the PAO’s administrative head, Tyler implements the Board’s strategic direction, overseeing administration and operations to achieve the organization’s goals. He collaborates closely with the Board, providing strategic leadership and ensuring alignment with the PAO’s Vision, Mission, and objectives.

Meet Tyler (Bio)

Tyler joined the PAO in 2022, bringing a strong background in the non-profit sector. As Executive Director, he is responsible for implementing the Board’s strategic direction, managing day-to-day operations, and leading a dedicated team to achieve the PAO’s goals. Sitting on all Committees, Tyler ensures the organization’s work aligns with its Vision, Mission, and Strategic Objectives.

 

Before joining the PAO, Tyler established Canada’s first professional association for athletic directors and earned an MBA in Glasgow. His return to Canada deepened his commitment to member-driven organizations, where he now applies his expertise in operations, stakeholder engagement, and strategic management to drive success.

 

Outside of work, Tyler is a lifelong learner, having earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2021, and enjoys spending his free time on the golf course.

Ashley Bain

Events and Member Services Manager
ashley.bain@pao.ca | 416-487-9367 ext. 103

Ashley manages all aspects of PAO-hosted events and member services. She oversees event planning, logistics, and execution, while also maintaining member records, handling inquiries, and coordinating membership initiatives such as awards programs and life memberships.

Meet Ashley (Bio)

Ashley joined the PAO in the summer of 2023 and plays a vital role in member engagement and enhancing the overall experience for our members. As a vital part of the organization’s team, she manages member events and award recognitions and is the primary contact for members to access support services.

 

With over eight years of association event and membership management experience, Ashley has worked with various associations and key leaders across Canada, from the not-for-profit to corporate sectors.

 

Ashley’s passion for creating top-tier events has allowed her to execute meaningful and engaging events, all while supporting and connecting stakeholders to ensure they are gaining value from their association memberships.

 

Ashley has a background in public relations and has completed her Advanced diploma certification in Public Relations from Durham College. In her leisure time, you can find Ashley cheering on Toronto’s various sports teams.

Annika Vassallo

Executive Assistant
annika.vassallo@pao.ca | 416-487-9367 ext. 106

Annika supports the President, Executive Director, and Board of Directors, as well as its Committees. She manages communications, scheduling, and administrative functions, ensuring seamless operations and effective coordination across all leadership activities.

Meet Annika (Bio)

Annika’s career journey includes a private investment firm, an emergency roadside assistance company, and a pharmaceutical giant, where she honed her skills. Her organizational acumen, coupled with a deep understanding of the unique dynamics across various settings, enables her to contribute effectively to strategic initiatives and enhance the overall effectiveness of the leadership team.

 

Drawing upon her extensive experience, Annika is committed to optimizing administrative processes, driving member engagement, and propelling the PAO toward sustained growth and success. Annika has a background in graphic design and graduated from Niagara College.

 

During her downtime, Annika revels in diving into exciting DIY projects, dancing the night away at lively concerts, and travelling.