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2026 TACTICAL DEBRIEFS
Tactical debriefs and speakers that cover a wide variety of current events and topics from the police tactical community in Canada and USA.
Nighthawk Lake Debrief (OPP - West TRU )
Presenters: PC Shawn Delargy & PC Nicholas Mcteer (Injured Officer)
Synopsis:
In late spring 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) deployed its Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) to track and apprehend an armed individual in the remote wilderness of Northern Ontario.
The operation extended nearly three weeks across rugged, isolated terrain marked by dense forest, waterways, and limited road access. TRU members conducted sustained ground and marine search efforts, often operating far from immediate logistical support with arial support for deployment of resources and overwatch.
The search culminated in an exchange of gunfire near a small, unnamed island while TRU officers were maneuvering in small watercraft. During the confrontation, one officer was injured. Despite the injury, members were required to:
- Maintain containment and operational control
- Continue managing the armed threat
- Coordinate emergency medical care in a remote setting
- Facilitate air medical extraction under challenging conditions
Advances in Mental Health Treatment for Operational Personne
Presenters: Jean Francois Roy , Dr. Manuela Joannou and Peggi Shepherd
Jean Francois (JF) Roy is a decorated Canadian Special Operations Command operator with 23 years’ experience conducting high profile missions. JF will present on his personal journey with PTSI, battling personal demons, and eventually seeking assistance. JF will candidly discuss his exposure Ketamine and how he now feels he is living life again. JF will present in collaboration with Peggi Sheppard and Dr. Arun Gupta. They will touch on the latest treatment and research into Deep repetitive TMS (deep rTMS) depression treatment, interventional pain treatments, studies into psylocibin, counselling, etc.
Jean Francois Roy served 23 years in the Canadian Armed Forces with most of his career as an operator in the Canadian Special Operations Command. From discreet, clandestine, and covert operations to direct action against terrorist organizations, he led small teams around the globe in the pursuit of national interest and other high-profile missions. He was decorated in Afghanistan for leading a ground force into a major engagement that resulted in saving multiple coalition lives. He retired from the military in 2015 and subsequently served in another government agency, supporting case officers abroad in dangerous operating environments. In 2018, he fully retired from operational duty and joined the Millbrook crew as an instructor.
Dr. Manuela Joannou is a Family Physician and Emergency Physician currently practicing in Perth, Ontario. She is also the Founder and Medical Director of Project Trauma Support, a novel program that addresses PTSD and especially Moral Injury in military members, veterans and first responders.
Peggi Shepherd, B.A. Psychology, B.Ed., M.Ed., CCAC, is the Founder and CEO of Wellbeings® Medical Centre for Innovation and Excellence. She has dedicated her career to advancing access to innovative, patient-centered care for individuals living with chronic pain, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. Working collaboratively with institutional and medical partners, Peggi helped develop a customized interdisciplinary Model of Care that places patients at the center of an integrated treatment network. For more than 17 years, she has volunteered her leadership to strengthen community-based medical services and expand access to emerging treatments, supporting recovery, resilience, and improved quality of life for those seeking wellness.
Emergency Task Force (SWT6) - Incident Debrief
Presenters: PC Josh Heineman, PC Andrew Boyce and PC Matt Harding
Synopsis:
PC Josh Heineman and PC Andrew Boyce will explain the circumstances of this very dynamic and quickly developing call and how challenges were dealt with. PC Matt Harding will explain how this call accelerated a change in tactical drone usage at the ETF, and what changes have been implemented since.
PC Josh Heineman – 14 years Toronto Police Service, 6 years Emergency Task Force, EDU Technician, Negotiator, Team Leader.
PC Andrew Boyce – 20 years Toronto Police Service, 10 years Emergency Task Force, Sniper, Negotiator, Tactical Rope Access Instructor.
PC Matt Harding – 14 years Toronto Police Service, EDU Technician, Negotiator, Drone Instru
JUDICIAL PANEL - LEGAL PERSPECTIVES ON TACTICAL POLICING
The Honourable Justice G. Paul Renwick
The Honourable Justice G. Paul Renwick
The Honourable Justice G. Paul Renwick
In 2017, Justice G. Paul Renwick was appointed to sit in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
His Honour’s appointment came after 22 years as a prosecutor in Brampton, Newmarket, and the Guns and Gangs Initiative in Toronto.
Justice Renwick has contributed numerous papers and presentations to various groups within the justice and
In 2017, Justice G. Paul Renwick was appointed to sit in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
His Honour’s appointment came after 22 years as a prosecutor in Brampton, Newmarket, and the Guns and Gangs Initiative in Toronto.
Justice Renwick has contributed numerous papers and presentations to various groups within the justice and law enforcement communities.
Notwithstanding all of his professional accomplishments and volunteer work, his Honour wants you to know that his proudest achievement is becoming a father to an amazing daughter.
Brigid Luke
The Honourable Justice G. Paul Renwick
The Honourable Justice G. Paul Renwick
Senior Counsel
Public Prosecution Service of Canada
160 Elgin Street , Suite 1400
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8
Brigid Luke is senior counsel in the Ottawa office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. She is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar in 1993. After a brief stint on Bay Street, thirteen years as in-house couns
Senior Counsel
Public Prosecution Service of Canada
160 Elgin Street , Suite 1400
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H8
Brigid Luke is senior counsel in the Ottawa office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. She is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar in 1993. After a brief stint on Bay Street, thirteen years as in-house counsel for the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa and one year at the MAG office in Ottawa, she joined the PPSC in 2007. In addition to acting on major drug prosecutions and appeals, Brigid has been senior counsel in the Ottawa Drug Treatment Court since 2010. Throughout her career, Brigid has instructed at legal education programs including for the National Judicial Institute, Canadian Police College, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, University of Ottawa Law School, PPSC School for Prosecutors and a variety of training initiatives for the Ottawa Police Service.
Lawrence Gridin
The Honourable Justice G. Paul Renwick
Lawrence Gridin
Partner - Criminal Law Group
Brauti Thorning LLP
161 Bay Street, Suite 2900
Toronto, ON M5J 2S1
Lawrence Gridin is a partner in the Criminal Law Group at Brauti Thorning LLP in Toronto. His practice is focussed on police defence work. He has represented hundreds of police officers throughout Ontario on criminal charges, PSA charges, at Co
Partner - Criminal Law Group
Brauti Thorning LLP
161 Bay Street, Suite 2900
Toronto, ON M5J 2S1
Lawrence Gridin is a partner in the Criminal Law Group at Brauti Thorning LLP in Toronto. His practice is focussed on police defence work. He has represented hundreds of police officers throughout Ontario on criminal charges, PSA charges, at Coroner’s inquests, and during complaint investigations. He regularly works with tactical officers in responding to SIU and OIPRD investigations in the context of dynamic entries. Lawrence was co-counsel on the Cavanagh case, which involved a Toronto Emergency Task Force officer charged by the SIU with second degree murder during a dynamic entry. Lawrence and his co-counsel Peter Brauti were successful in having all allegations dismissed at the preliminary inquiry, and were successful in defending the result against two Crown appeals.
Tactical Rope Operations with Firearm Considerations
Presenters: Eddy Cartaya and Gavin McIlvenna
Presentation Overview
Tactical rope operations is a nano-niche, and frequently undertrained skill. The firearms component of such operations as used to cover entries and exits from suspended positions is an even lesser formalized skill, often with clouds of confusion, litigation-based fear, or just sheer absurdity surrounding it. This program addresses the true nature, benefits, and need of advanced firearms training from suspended positions, be it for an entry team, observation team, or sniper overwatch. Even more significant is the need to train and certify existing tactical firearms instructors to safely conduct training for these skills. Such courses of fire and drills carry with them unique risks, challenges, and considerations. This program will cover and demonstrate (on a hanging prop in the classroom) some of the techniques and considerations in a vertical rangemaster program. This curriculum developed by the non-profit International Society of Tactical Rope Operators (ISTRO) is a reality and experienced based program that can be shared and expanded upon by agencies that currently have tactical rope programs and capability.
Goals and Objectives of Presentation
· Tactical rope operations in the vertical plane is a unique and rarely trained skill set. This goes double for firearms skills on such a platform.
· Risks to agency in having operators Inexperienced in weapons management on rope.
· Benefits to having operators experienced in weapons management on rope. (more tactical options performed with confidence.)
· Overcoming the fear and risk of such training. Why it is needed. How to do it safely.
· Carrying the kit…deconflicting vertical gear from assault gear. Modification to kit and vest may be needed. Breaking bad habits.
· How to add an extension to your agency’s tactical firearms policy and training / certification program. The ISTRO program.
· DEMONSTRATION: of a few positions, considerations, and rangemaster training techniques (will be done in classroom from a 10’ suspended rope prop with blue guns.)
Presenters
Eddy Cartaya and Gavin McIlvenna – International Society of Tactical Rope Operators ISTRO and National Tactical Officers Association NTOA Eddy is a retired and decorated military and SWAT officer with extensive knowledge in Tactical Rope Operations. Gavin is a member of ISTRO and the NTOA, and is a current serving Senior SWAT Operator for Oregon State Police.
Winnipeg Shooting Incident Standoff
Presenters: P/Sgt Terrance Machalek & Cst. Luke Herman
What began as an early-morning shots-fired call quickly escalated into a tense, 10-hour standoff beneath a major Winnipeg bridge—where terrain, heat, and positioning gave the suspect the upper hand.
On June 14, 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to a shooting at a residence. The suspect fled while armed with a shotgun and wearing body armour, taking cover beneath the Disraeli Bridge. Upon police arrival, he was observed pointing the firearm under his chin.
Positioning himself along the riverbank in dense trees and shrubs, he established a concealed, defensible position—placing the Tactical Support Team at a significant disadvantage, with limited visibility, restricted movement, and elevated risk. The situation quickly escalated into an armed and barricaded incident, prompting a coordinated response that included Crisis Negotiators, River Patrol, the Drone Unit, and emergency services.
Extreme heat and difficult terrain compounded the operational challenges as officers worked to contain the scene, maintain communication, and safely de-escalate the situation.
