Michael Girard brings over three decades of experience in policing, training, and curriculum development, with a career dedicated to advancing officer safety, use of force standards, and crisis response across Ontario. As a senior instructor and program coordinator with the Ontario Police College (OPC), Michael has been instrumental in shaping the training of thousands of officers, with expertise spanning firearms, defensive tactics, crisis intervention, and modernized use of force methodologies.
Since joining the Ontario Police College in 2005, Michael has held progressive leadership roles, including Officer Safety Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Team Leader, Use of Force Trainer Course Coordinator, and Mental Health Crisis Response Training Coordinator. In these positions, he has overseen the training of recruits, instructors, and specialized units, ensuring compliance with provincial standards while continually updating content to reflect emerging best practices.
Michael has coordinated and delivered numerous cornerstone courses, including the Basic Constable Officer Safety Program, the Use of Force Instructor Course, and advanced firearms programs. He has also pioneered innovative learning approaches, such as implementing Virtual Reality Crisis Response Training, bridging technology with practical application to better prepare officers for complex real-world encounters.
Michael is recognized across Ontario as a leading subject matter expert in use of force and de-escalation. He has served on multiple provincial working groups and expert technical tables convened by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, contributing to the redesign of the Use of Force Report, the development of updated Use of Force regulations, and the renewal of provincial trainer curricula.
His expertise has been sought in high-profile contexts, including numerous coroner’s inquests, where he has provided testimony on police use of force and de-escalation training in cases involving officer-involved deaths. His contributions have been widely respected by both Crown and defence counsel, with his analysis often accepted as independent expert evidence.
In addition, Michael collaborated on a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Grant, developing problem-based scenario training to improve police interactions with individuals experiencing mental illness. This initiative produced the De-escalating Persons in Crisis Competency Tool (DePICT), now integrated into Ontario’s Mental Health Crisis Response curriculum.
Beyond training delivery, Michael has played a key role in shaping provincial policy and standards. He has advised on the Ontario Public-Police Interactions Training Aid, replacing the former 2004 Use of Force Model, and has been repeatedly engaged as a consultant on police training design, defensive tactics reviews, and advanced safety initiatives across multiple services.
His involvement has extended to briefing senior government officials, including Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety, and providing input to the Ombudsman’s office, Special Investigations Unit, and various police oversight bodies on the future of police training and accountability.
Michael’s qualifications are supported by a wide range of professional certifications in firearms, defensive tactics, crisis intervention, mental health response, and police vehicle operations. He holds advanced instructor and armourer credentials across multiple platforms, and has contributed to the development of provincial and national-level training programs.
His skills are also complemented by decades of martial arts experience, holding black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Jiu-Jitsu, and Hapkido. This background reinforces both his technical expertise in defensive tactics and his long-standing dedication to discipline, instruction, and continuous learning.
Summary
With over 30 years of service and a proven track record as an educator, innovator, and expert witness, Michael Girard offers unparalleled expertise in police training and operational standards. His ability to combine frontline experience, instructional leadership, and policy-level contributions makes him an invaluable resource for police services, oversight bodies, and training institutions seeking to modernize recruitment, training, and use of force practices in Canada.