President’s MessageBy Chief Mark Campbell, Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service and OACP PresidentDuring my term as Association of Chiefs of Police, I have reflected on the incredible opportunity I’ve had to represent police leaders from across the province – each a reflection of their own unique and diverse regions, communities and agencies.Any initial trepidation I felt about leaning into difficult issues was replaced by a firm commitment to providing a strong voice for our members. Throughout my tenure, I met many individuals who consistently conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and ethical clarity. These members – both sworn and civilian – worked tirelessly to build a public safety sector rooted in institutional integrity and public trust.In keeping with the OACP mission of advancing the profession and enhancing community safety, I would like to highlight some of our recent and ongoing work. Our Executive Board has maintained a progressive pace, implementing priorities outlined in the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan while also undertaking a comprehensive review of our governance practices. This process led to the creation of a Governance and Nomination Committee, ensuring consistency and fairness as we build future boards that reflect the diversity of our membership. This evolution will continue throughout the association, branching into our zones as we strengthen recruitment for future leadership and ensure there is an effective succession planning strategy in place.Our association also remained active in advocacy, addressing both federal and provincial legislative proposals. This has allowed police chiefs to provide vital perspectives on the operational impacts of upcoming federal legislation, most recently regarding Bill C-22 (Lawful Access Amendments) and Bill C-14 (Proposed Amendments to the YCJA). Much of this advocacy is informed by the expertise of our committees and working groups. We deeply appreciate the dedication of these committee members, as well as the police leaders who encourage their staff to participate in these professional development pathways, which are essential to the long-term health of our organizations.The OACP remains committed to advocating for sound public policy, strengthening government and community ties, and providing training designed for modern policing needs. We also continue to advance leadership through formal programs, conferences and academic partnerships. Notably, our first Executive Police Leadership cohort launched in early 2026 through our partnership with the DeGroote and Schulich Schools of Business. This program is the result of years of OACP advocacy to develop executives with the unique skill sets required today. Several OACP board members serve as mentors within the curriculum, offering crucial operational and strategic perspectives to the next generation of leaders. Other training forums continue to address critical challenges, such as crisis manage- ment, people-first strategies and collaborative innovation.These accomplishments build on the OACP’s 75-year history of supporting senior leaders – a legacy of excellence that dates back to the days of Chief Clarence Bagnall. We were proud to showcase this strategic work during the 2026 Annual Conference in Niagara Falls. This event brought police leaders and board governors together for professional development, networking and celebration.This landmark occasion is made possible through the hard work of OACP staff, under the leadership of executive director Paul Pedersen. It is my hope that we will continue to build on our past while we move forward confidently.Mark Campbell
Chief, Strathroy-Caradoc
Police Service
President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police