OPP mental health reforms have fallen short, internal records show

Internal records show 21 current and former OPP staff died by suicide since 2012 and reviews and an action plan have not fully resolved gaps in the force's mental-health program; attendance at mandatory check-ins for targeted units has been low, especially in covert operations.

Twenty-one current and former Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) staff have died by suicide since 2012, according to records obtained through a freedom-of-information request. After three officers died in quick succession in 2018, the force launched reviews and announced reforms. The OPP replaced its Safeguard program with a Health Check-in Program and issued a 2025 Action Plan intended to improve structure and accountability. Internal documents and a review by the Deputy Solicitor General reported continuing problems with the program's design and implementation. Key facts: - The records show 21 current and former OPP staff deaths by suicide since 2012 and two officers killed in homicides over the same period. - In February 2025 the Deputy Solicitor General reported significant "structural and systemic issues" with the OPP's mental-health program, and the force issued an Action Plan in May 2025. - Attendance reports show low participation in mandatory annual health check-ins for targeted high-risk units: a February 2025 report recorded 80% completion across targeted units but only one of 21 covert operations members; a June 2025 report showed 70 of 375 targeted members completed that year's check-in and none from covert operations. Summary: The reporting describes repeated efforts to reform OPP mental-health supports after multiple officer deaths and subsequent reviews, but internal records indicate persistent gaps in implementation and participation. The 2025 Action Plan sought to establish clearer guidelines and called for mandatory annual check-ins to be completed by June 30 each year. Undetermined at this time.