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On March 26th, the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre buzzed with activity as Blue Line and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) united to host the OACP & Blue Line Expo, drawing a crowd of over 140 attendees. This marks the third consecutive year of our successful collaboration.
The expo boasted a diverse array of over 60 vendors showcasing cutting-edge technology, services and products spanning the law enforcement, corrections and security sectors. Attendees had the opportunity to explore everything from apparel and footwear to virtual reality training systems, law enforcement vehicles, drones, surveillance systems, police firearms, tactical equipment and custom graphics for clothing and vehicles.
The event garnered sponsorship from esteemed names in the industry, including Triton Police Innovations, GeoWarehouse, Wilfrid Laurier University, GardaWorld, Commissionaires, DAVTECH, and Trimtag Trading Inc.
In addition to the exhibition, visitors were treated to engaging conference sessions featuring a special keynote address and an awards ceremony held throughout the day.
Keynote address: Bryan Larkin, RCMP Deputy Commissioner, Specialized Policing Services
This year’s special keynote address was delivered by Bryan Larkin, RCMP Deputy Commissioner, Specialized Policing Services. In his speech, he touched on what he has seen over his many years in policing, from his time on the front lines to his time in leadership roles. He encouraged all in attendance to think back to their first day on the job and to do it frequently.
He also challenged police leadership to strive for cohesion. “Our communities and neighbourhoods have never been so divided. Within our own police services, we have division. Our role as leaders is to unify. Our role is to connect people, be peacekeepers, and we are often acting as the neutral party that can bring differing opinions together to make a stronger community. As we look to the future, looking at bringing that unity, let’s start the conversation within our own profession because we’re stronger as a united service,” he shared.
He also thanked Blue Line and the OACP for the work being done for Canada’s police officers. Before and after his session, Deputy Commissioner Larkin visited many booths on the expo floor and connected with exhibitors.
Rookie of the Year award presentation
The Blue Line Rookie of the Year award celebrates emerging officers who exemplify excellence in modern policing, influencing their peers, agencies and communities positively.
At this year’s OACP & Blue Line Expo, Cst. Veronica Fast of the Hamilton Police Service was honoured with this prestigious award.
Congratulations to Cst. Fast on this well-deserved recognition!
Editor’s note: A special thank you to all our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors and presenters at this year’s conference and expo. Remember to check out the hashtag #OACPBLExpo for more photos of the event. We can’t wait to see you again in 2025!
Take a look at photo’s from this year’s expo:
- From left to right: Editor Brittani Schroeder, Account Manager Janice Eaton
- From left to right: Editor Brittani Schroeder, Account Manager Janice Eaton, Publisher Adam Szpakowski
- Editor Brittani Schroeder
- Cst. Veronica Fast, Blue Line’s 2024 Rookie of the Year
- From left to right: Hamilton Police Service’s Sgt. Chelsea Knowles, Cst. Veronica Fast, Supt. David Hennick
- Cst. Veronica Fast, Blue Line’s 2024 Rookie of the Year with her parents
- Cst. Veronica Fast
- From left to right: NRPS Deputy Chief Luigi Greco, NRPS Chief Bill Fordy, Account Manager Janice Eaton, Editor Brittani Schroeder
- From left to right: Account Manager Janice Eaton, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin, editor Brittani Schroeder
- OACP Executive Director Jeff McGuire introduces the keynote session
- RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin gives the keynote address
- RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin gives the keynote address
- From left to right: RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin, OACP Executive Director Jeff McGuire, OACP President Jim MacSween
- From left to right: RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin, OACP Executive Director Jeff McGuire, editor Brittani Schroeder, OACP President Jim MacSween
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