Toronto Police Service Welcomes New Deputy Chiefs of Police

Toronto Police Service Welcomes New Deputy Chiefs of Police

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 - 4:34 PM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

After a national search by the Toronto Police Services Board, the Toronto Police Service is pleased to welcome three new Deputy Chiefs of Police.

Staff Superintendent Peter Yuen, Superintendent Barbara McLean, and Inspector Shawna Coxon all bring the skills and experience necessary to further the modernization of the Service.

“I have had the pleasure of working with each of these members throughout my career,” said Chief of Police Mark Saunders. “Collectively, they bring innovation, diversity, and leadership to my Command Team. I am excited for the future of the Toronto Police Service and the city of Toronto.”

The new Deputy Chiefs will be introduced at tomorrow’s Police Services Board meeting. They, along with the Chief, Chair Andy Pringle and Mayor John Tory, will be available to media at 12:45 p.m., at Headquarters, outside the Auditorium. 

The Deputies join Deputy Chief James Ramer, Deputy Chief Mike Federico (retiring in September), and Chief Administrative Officer Tony Veneziano.

Biographies for the new Deputy Chiefs are as follows.

For more information, please contact Meaghan Gray, at 416-808-7095.

About the new members of Command

Deputy Chief Peter Yuen

Peter Yuen has been a member of the Toronto Police Service for 30 years. Before becoming Deputy Chief of Police, he was the Staff Superintendent in charge of Corporate Risk Management – an area that included Professional Standards, Legal Services and the Toronto Police College. Peter’s career has included time as Unit Commander of several Divisions, a trainer at the College, and as an investigator of organized crime. Peter is best known for his expertise in the area of Asian Organized Crime and for leading the resurrection of the Community Police Academy. He has a Master’s of Arts in Leadership and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies. Peter is proud of his Chinese heritage and has been an active ambassador for the community. He currently serves as senior advisor to the East & South Asian Internal Support Networks.

Deputy Chief Barbara McLean

Barbara McLean has been a member of the Toronto Police Service for 28 years. Before becoming Deputy Chief of Police, she was a Superintendent and Unit Commander of 54 & 55 Divisions, where she led a team dedicated to community safety and customer service. Barbara’s career has included time as Unit Commander of the Toronto Police College, and as a domestic violence and sexual assault investigator. She is best known for her role as the Transformation Lead on the Human Resources Modernization Project. Barbara has a Masters of Human Resources & Industrial Relations, a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration. She volunteers with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and WindReach Farm and is the founder and current senior advisor of the Service’s LGBTQ Internal Support Network.

Deputy Chief Shawna Coxon 

Shawna Coxon has been a member of the Toronto Police Service for 20 years. Before becoming Deputy Chief of Police, she was an Inspector with Strategy Management, where she led a team focused on change management for the Transformational Task Force recommendations. Shawna’s career has included time as a frontline police officer/supervisor, numerous investigative roles including a professional standards investigator and a human rights advocate. She is best known for her work implementing the CyberCrime team, the Service’s Internal Support Networks and for organizing the first police-led Racially-Biased Policing Conference. Shawna has a Ph.D. in Law (Criminal), a Masters in Criminology, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has extensive local and international volunteer experience, has been an adjunct professor for more than a decade and recently attended the Governor General’s Leadership Conference.

Meaghan Gray, Corporate Communications