Police Association of Ontario and local police associations partner to support communities during pandemic

TORONTO, May 21, 2020 /CNW/ - The Police Association of Ontario (PAO) and many of its municipal police association members have partnered to support local community organizations and health care personnel across the province during this health crisis.

The PAO Community Support Program, which launched in mid-April and concluded earlier this week, offered its member associations throughout Ontario one-time funding of up to $1,500 to help recognize local resources or groups that are making a difference or experiencing a greater need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smiths Falls Police Association delivers a hot meal to local health care workers who are working tirelessly to keep their community healthy and safe during the pandemic. (CNW Group/Police Association of Ontario)

Owen Sound Police Association delivers a monetary donation to support Chapman House Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce during the pandemic. (CNW Group/Police Association of Ontario)

Timmins Police Association delivers a supply of personal protective equipment to the Cochrane Temiskaming Resource Centre (CTRC) for use in their group homes for the developmentally disabled. (CNW Group/Police Association of Ontario)

"Our Board of Directors, who are located across the province from Thunder Bay to Cornwall to Waterloo, recognized an opportunity for the PAO to partner with our local associations to support and thank those who are making a huge difference in their community during this extraordinary time," said PAO President Bruce Chapman.

22 municipal police associations participated in the program and provided donations to various community resources including food banks, health care settings, shelters, group homes, and more. Notably, they all voluntarily matched or exceeded the PAO's funding commitment. In total, PAO members distributed $89,000 of monetary, supply and/or meal support over the past month to deserving organizations in communities across Ontario.

"We are thrilled that so many of our member associations were keen to combine resources and make an even greater impact with this program. Owen Sound Police Association split the funds between their hospice and food bank, Smiths Falls Police Association provided hot meals for health care workers, and Timmins Police Association donated PPE to resource centres for the developmentally disabled, just to name a few examples," continued President Chapman.

The PAO's 47 member associations represent over 18,000 sworn and civilian police personnel – including patrol officers, 911 dispatchers, K9 units, forensic analysts, and many others – who are dedicated to keeping their communities safe in all circumstances and states of emergency, but also recognize the importance of giving back where they work and live. "Every year, our members donate their own time and effort to local causes they believe in. This program was just a natural extension of that, with additional provincial assistance. Though it's been said repeatedly during this pandemic, we really are all in this together, and the PAO is honoured to extend our support and appreciation to those who need it most right now," concluded Chapman.

About the Police Association of Ontario

The Police Association of Ontario (PAO) is the official provincial representative body for 18,000 sworn and civilian police personnel from 47 local police associations across Ontario. A unifying voice for advocacy in policing, the PAO provides its member associations with representation, resource and support.

SOURCE Police Association of Ontario

Sarah Coulter, Communications Manager, [email protected] | 416.569.7577, Website: PAO.ca, Twitter: @PoliceAssocON, Facebook: @PoliceAssociationOfOntario

Related Links

http://www.pao.on.ca