- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Ontario Provincial Police
Orillia, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flags and Badges
April 22, 1998
Vol. III, p. 237
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or a bear rampant Azure bearing in its dexter paw a sprig of three maple leaves Or fimbriated Azure;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet Vallary Azure an osprey Argent wings elevated and addorsed Azure;
Supporters
On a grassy mound Vert set with trillium flowers Argent seeded Or leaved Vert rising above barry wavy Argent and Azure dexter a lion Azure semé of Ermine spots Or langued Gules armed Or sinister a stag Azure semé of Ermine spots Or langued Gules attired and unguled Or each gorged with a collar of trilliums Argent seeded Or leaved Vert pendant therefrom a bezant bearing a representation of the Royal Crown proper;
Motto
SERVITUTE CLARIORES;
Flag
An ensign Azure on a canton also Azure fimbriated Or the badge of the Ontario Provincial Police;
Flag
For the Commissioner: An ensign Azure a canton of the Arms of the Ontario Provincial Police and in the fly the badge of the Commissioner fimbriated Argent;
Flag
The ensign of the Ontario Provincial Police with the Divisional badge in the fly (exemple shown: the Flag of the Academy of the Ontario Provincial Police);
Badge
The Shield of Arms of Her Majesty in Right of the Province of Ontario encircled by a motto band Azure fimbriated Or inscribed SERVITUTE CLARIORES in letters also Or all within a wreath composed alternately of maple leaves Or and trillium flowers Argent seeded Or leaved Vert ensigned by a representation of the Royal Crown proper;
Badge
For the Commissioner: A coronet rim set alternately with maple leaves Or and trillium flowers Argent seeded Or leaved Vert enfiled by two representations of the tipstaff of the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police in saltire proper;
Badge
For Headquarters: On a star composed of sun rays Argent issuant from a torteau, hereinafter referred to as a Canadian star, charged with two representations of the tipstaff of the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police in saltire Or;
Badge
For the Academy: A Canadian star charged with an open book Argent bound Or;
Badge
For the Greater Toronto Region: A Canadian star charged with a representation of the CN Tower in Toronto Argent;
Badge
For the Central Region: A Canadian star charged with a plate thereon three bars wavy Azure;
Badge
For the Eastern Region: A Canadian star charged with a Loyalist civil coronet Argent;
Badge
For the Western Region: A Canadian star charged with dexter a steam locomotive wheel sinister a garb Or;
Badge
For the Northeast Region: A Canadian star charged with a Maskinonge fesswise embowed Argent;
Badge
For the Northwest Region: A Canadian star charged with a canoe Argent;
Badge
For use by the Commissioner in establishing rank insignia, a combination of the following: A representation of the Royal Crown proper; two tipstaffs of the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police in saltire Or the cap of their Royal Crowns being Gules; the star of the Ontario Provincial Police as more plainly here depicted namely on a cross paty set upon a four-pointed chipped star Or a trillium flower Argent seeded Or leaved Vert encircled by a motto band Gules inscribed SERVITUTE CLARIORES in letters Or enclosed within a laurel wreath Vert;
Symbolism
Arms
The bear symbolizes the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) spirit and determination and is also the crest of the province of Ontario. The sprig of maple leaves is taken from the arms of Ontario and represents the OPP’s service to the citizens of the province.
Crest
The coronet vallary suggests protection and preparedness. The osprey, renowned for its acuity of sight, symbolizes the force’s role in keeping watch over Ontarians.
Supporters
The lion alludes to strength of purpose. It is made distinctive with the ermine spots which refer to the fauna of Northern Ontario. The collar of trilliums, the provincial flower, is another reference to Ontario. The pendants featuring the Royal Crown are a reminder that the role of the force is the maintenance of the Crown’s peace. The stag represents strength and courage.
Motto
SERVITUTE CLARIORES means “More illustrious through serving”, but is commonly translated in English “They are made more illustrious through service.”
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Flag
For the Commissioner: The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The arms of Ontario symbolize the community being served. This theme is further emphasized by the wreath of trilliums and maple leaves and the OPP’s motto. The Crown repeats an element from the OPP’s coat of arms.
Badge
For the Commissioner: The tipstaff or ceremonial baton is a distinctive mark of the rank of Commissioner. The coronet of alternating trillium flowers and maple leaves indicates Ontario and Canada.
Badge
For Headquarters: The tipstaffs are taken from the Insignia of Rank.
Badge
For the Academy: The open book represents learning.
Badge
For the Greater Toronto Region: The CN Tower represents the City of Toronto.
Badge
For the Central Region: The wavy blue and white bars represent the Great Lakes.
Badge
For the Eastern Region: The Loyalist civil coronet represents the region’s history and heritage.
Badge
For the Western Region: The railway locomotive wheel refers to industry, and the sheaf of wheat denotes agriculture.
Badge
For the Northeast Region: The maskinonge represents the heritage and lifestyle associated with the northern lakes of Ontario.
Badge
For the Northwest Region: The canoe refers to the fur trade and canoe routes of the Northwest. It also honours the Indigenous heritage and first inhabitants of Ontario.
Badge
The Royal Crown repeats an element from the arms. The tipstaffs are differenced by the gold colour. The star uses a design based on the 19th-century Canadian Army Star originally taken from the Order of the Bath. The trillium and motto of the OPP echo a theme of the arms.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on January 30, 1999, in Volume 133, page 181 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Joan Bouwmeester
Calligrapher
Joan Bouwmeester
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Provincial & Territorial (Agency and other)