May 21st 2025

So grateful to our incredible sponsors for their generous support. Thank you for empowering this year’s conference to reach even greater heights!

York Regional Police Services Board – Champion Sponsor – $10,000

Toronto Police Services Board – Advocate Sponsor – $5,000

Kennebecasis Regional Joint Board of Police Commissioners – Cultivator & Friend Sponsor – $3,500

Guelph Police Services Board – Friend Sponsor – $1,000

Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Service Board – Friend Sponsor – $1,000

Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners – Friend Sponsor – $1,000

Alberta Association of Police Governance – Friend Sponsor – $1,000

Durham Regional Police Service Board – Friend Sponsor – $1,000

Ottawa Police Services Board – Friend Sponsor – $1,000

Port Moody Police Board – Coffee Break Sponsor – $850

Greater Sudbury Police Services Board – Peer Sponsor – $500

June 10th Webinar - Police culture and identity and the critical role of police service boards/commissions in supporting police members and affecting culture change for more inclusive police workplaces with Dr. Joe Couto - Director of Government Relations and Communications Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police

Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto is a veteran public policy and communications professional who brings 36 years of proven government relations and communication experience. He is currently in his 20 th year as Director of Government Relations and Communications for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

Prior to serving with OACP, he was Senior Consultant with Enterprise Canada Consultants Inc., one of Ontario’s leading government relations and communications firms, where he developed expertise in several important areas of public policy, including municipal affairs, housing, energy, taxation, and fiscal policies.

In addition to his professional work, Dr. Couto is also an Associate Faculty member in Royal Roads University’s School of Humanitarian Studies and School of Communication and Culture and a part-time Professor at the University of Guelph-Humber and Humber Polytechnic in Toronto. His area of research is identity building in law enforcement, with a focus on 2SLGBTQI+ police officers and intersectionality in gender, sexual orientation, and organizational culture. Dr. Couto is the author of Covered in Blue: Police Culture and LGBT Police Officers in the Province of Ontario and Female (2014) and Gay. Cop: The Intersectionality of Gender and Sexual Orientation in Police Culture (2018), both landmark academic studies of gay police officers in Canada. His doctoral work, The Constructing of Canadian Police Officers’ Identity (2023), was published by and made available to senior Canadian police leaders by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

A native of Brazil, Dr. Couto holds a Doctor of Social Sciences from Royal Roads University. He also has a Master of Arts in Professional Communications degree from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Dr. Couto was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to policing and public safety in Canada in 2013 and the Serving With Pride Ally Award in 2016.

Join us June 19th for our webinar: No More Shelfware: The Boards Role in a Police Strategic Plan That Actually Works with Neil Dubord – Dubord Consulting

For organizations navigating complex challenges in governance, leadership, and strategic direction, Neil Dubord offers unparalleled expertise forged over thirty-five years in high-stakes public safety leadership. His experience at the executive level – including roles as Chief of the Delta Police Department, Chief of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and Deputy Chief of the Edmonton Police Service – demanded exceptional skill in strategic planning, crisis management, stakeholder engagement, and fostering organizational resilience. These are the same skills he now leverages directly to benefit his consulting clients across various sectors. Leading large, multifaceted organizations through intense public scrutiny and periods of significant change provides Neil with a unique perspective on the pressures faced by modern leaders. Clients gain access to insights from a recognized thought leader who contributes to national and international discussions on effective governance, incident command, crisis management, and building public trust. Neil’s keynotes at major conferences and publications in prominent journals translate complex leadership principles into actionable strategies. This practical experience is underpinned by rigorous academic knowledge, including a Doctor of Business Management (Ph.D.) and a master’s in leadership and training, complemented by specialized certifications from prestigious institutions like the FBI National Academy and the University of Virginia, covering areas such as human resources, cybersecurity, and financial crime. This unique blend ensures solutions are both grounded in real-world effectiveness and informed by strategic theory.

Neil’s contributions have been recognized at the highest levels, validating his expertise. He is an Officer of the Police Order of Merit appointed by the Governor General of Canada and a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and multiple Police Exemplary Service Medals.

Through Dubord Consulting, Neil partners directly with organizations like yours to enhance effectiveness and achieve strategic goals. You receive tailored guidance in governance, leadership, and strategic planning, specifically designed to address your unique challenges. Leveraging Neil Dubord’s comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics – honed through decades of executive leadership and advanced study – the firm emphasizes collaborative strategy development and effective leadership practices. The goal is to provide you with actionable solutions that drive sustainable growth, foster resilience, and ensure your organization can adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Partner with Dubord Consulting to navigate complexity with confidence and build a stronger foundation for future success.

Neil and his wife of 40 years live with their beloved dog, enjoying a life grounded in family, service and integrity.

Atlantic Canada First Responder Mental Health Conference

Atlantic Canada First Responder Mental Health conference at the Delta hotel in Moncton, New Brunswick. Similar to Ontario, the objective of the conference is to bring together representatives from across the public safety community to share in preventative and interventional practices and to listen and learn how we, as a sector, can enhance the psychological health and safety of our First Responders and their families. June 2-3rd.

Complete conference information and registration is available from the event website: https://acfrmh.ca/