For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Blue Mountains, ON - The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is pleased to announce that Acting Staff Sergeant Shauna Marshall of the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) is this year’s recipient of the OACP Excellence in Leadership Award. This award recognizes a policing professional who demonstrates exceptional leadership, inspires change, and positively impacts both their organization and the communities they serve.
A/S/Sgt. Marshall is being recognized for her remarkable contributions to both member wellness and victim support within the O.P.P. After experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during her service in Forensic Identification Services, A/S/Sgt. Marshall courageously shared her lived experience through her impactful presentation, Disturb the Silence. With the support of O.P.P. Command, she travelled across the province to deliver her message of recovery and resilience—helping break the stigma surrounding mental health in policing and offering hope to fellow members.
Her leadership extended further as she played a key role in developing the O.P.P.’s Victim Centred Approach Team and now leads the organization’s Victim Specialist Program. Under her guidance, this program has successfully transitioned family liaison roles to trained civilian specialists, significantly improving support for victims and survivors of crime across Ontario.
A/S/Sgt. Marshall’s leadership has been recognized nationally and internationally. She actively contributes to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police’s (CACP) National Working Group and the International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence (INVICTM), working with global experts to strengthen victim support systems. Her voice and experience are regularly sought after for conferences and other events, including the Canadian Critical Incident Conference.
Through her compassion, courage, and innovative spirit, A/S/Sgt. Marshall continues to lead by example—creating safer, more supportive environments for victims, survivors, and police personnel alike.
The OACP congratulates A/S/Sgt. Shauna Marshall on this well-deserved honour and celebrates the meaningful impact of her leadership in Ontario and beyond.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
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Please direct media inquiries to:
Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations and Communications
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
416-919-9798