LPSB NEWS RELEASE

Stephanie Johanssen Named Executive Director of the London Police Service Board 

August 23, 2024 – London, Ontario – The London Police Service Board (LPSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Stephanie Johanssen as its Executive Director, following a comprehensive national recruitment process. 

Ms. Johanssen joins the London Police Service Board with over a decade of service in public safety, extensive expertise in board governance, strategic planning, communications, and stakeholder relations. As the former Executive Director of the Vancouver Police Board, Stephanie will be responsible for assisting the board with continuing to deliver better policing services for the City of London. 

A civilian leader in public safety nationally, Stephanie’s career at the Vancouver Police Department, which began in 2011 after several years in the financial services sector, included a period in the Professional Standards Section where she gained valuable insights into civilian oversight of policing, conflict management, and alternate dispute resolution. During her subsequent eight years with the Vancouver Police Board, Stephanie channeled her passion for police governance into initiatives that enhanced community outreach, reduced hate crimes, strengthened governance policies, ensured adequate resources for policing, and laid the foundation for a robust equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) framework for the Board. 

In acting as the Vancouver Police Board’s liaison to the BC Association of Police Boards, Stephanie collaborated on a wide range of issues affecting policing and police governance in British Columbia. She also forged strong connections with peers in Ontario through the Canadian Association of Police Governance (CAPG) and intends to apply her collaborative mindset to strengthen the voice of police governance in this Province. 

Ms. Johanssen has completed the BC Police Board’s Program through the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management Executive Programs. Currently, Stephanie is an Executive MBA candidate at Queen’s University Smith School of Business. 

Over the past year, the London Police Service Board has embarked on a comprehensive journey to ensure the London Police Service is positioned to provide exceptionally better service to the residents of London. Whether it’s securing necessary investments in our frontline officers and civilian staff, making additions to the senior leadership team, or implementing new policies and expectations to ensure effective accountability, the Board’s resolve to making the necessary changes to ensure London becomes a Safer City Now is unwavering.  

Quotes: 

“Ms. Johanssen brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and skill to the role of Executive Director of the London Police Service Board. As the board continues in our commitment to deliver more effective and responsive policing for the City of London, Ms. Johanssen’s insight, background and experience will be invaluable. Unquestionably, the knowledge gained as the Executive Director of the Vancouver Police Board will provide an important lens and perspective for our board as we continue to modernize policing in our city.”

— Ali Chahbar, Chair, London Police Service Board 

“I am deeply honoured to join the London Police Service Board at such a pivotal time in police governance when transparency, accountability and collaboration are at the forefront of decision-making.  I will apply these principles as I work to enhance community relations, improve board accessibility, and support the sworn and civilian members of the LPS in fulfilling their duty of serving the public.  This is such an incredible opportunity to contribute to the modernization of policing and I look forward to working with this Board in making a meaningful and lasting impact in the City of London.”

— Stephanie Johanssen, Executive Director, London Police Service Board

Quick Facts: 

-       The London Police Service Board initiated a national search for its inaugural Executive Director in May 2024.

-       Ms. Johanssen was selected as the successful candidate after a comprehensive executive recruitment process.

-       The Executive Director position was established after a strategic governance review following the retirement of the Board’s previous Administrator.

-       Ms. Johanssen was the former Executive Director of the Vancouver Police Board. She served in various roles at the Vancouver Police Department from October 2011 until November 2022 when she decided to relocate to Ontario.

-       The London Police Service Board is the civilian body responsible for governing the London Police Service. It is responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services to the City of London’s population of approximately 423,000. 

Current Membership of the London Police Service Board: 

Ali A. Chahbar, Chair                 

Megan Walker, Vice Chair                                             

Nancy Branscombe, Member                

Ryan Gauss, Member    

Councillor Steve Lehman, Member

Mayor Josh Morgan, Member

Councillor Susan Stevenson, Member 

Contacts: 

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