A former executive director of the Vancouver Police Board is now doing the same job for a police board in London, Ont.
The London Police Service Board announced Monday the appointment of Stephanie Johanssen as its executive director.
“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,” Johanssen said in a news release posted on the board’s website.
Johanssen had served three years and seven months as executive director of the Vancouver board before her sudden departure in November 2022. At the time, the board’s interim director would not comment on why Johanssen was no longer on the job, saying it was a personnel matter.
Johanssen also declined to comment at the time.
The news release from the London board said Johanssen served in various roles at the Vancouver Police Department — including time in the professional standards section — from October 2011 until November 2022 “when she decided to relocate to Ontario.”
As executive director in Vancouver, Johanssen helped guide the board through what were some turbulent times.
Controversies around police street checks, accusations of systemic racism within the department, the wrongful handcuffing of a Heiltsuk Nation man and his 12-year-old granddaughter, and the fight to restore $5.7 million to the police department’s budget were all on Johanssen’s agenda.
She also authored a report in July 2021 that included a series of recommendations from citizens and police on how to reduce hate crimes in the city and encourage more victims to report incidents.
Kennedy Stewart, Ken Sim
Johanssen was executive director when Kennedy Stewart was mayor and chair of the board. Her departure came less than a month after Ken Sim and his ABC Vancouver majority were elected to city hall.
Since Johanssen’s departure, two board members resigned, with Faye Wightman alleging interference in board affairs from the mayor’s office; the mayor’s office has refuted the allegation.
Ali Chahbar, chair of the London board, said Johanssen brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and skill to the job. Chahbar said 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,” he said.
'Meaningful and lasting impact'
As the Vancouver’s board’s liaison to the BC Association of Police Boards, Johanssen 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 and intends to apply her collaborative mindset to strengthen the voice of police governance in this province,” said the news release, noting Johanssen is currently an executive MBA candidate at Queen’s University Smith School of Business.
Johanssen said her new posting 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.”
The Vancouver board's current executive director is Jason Kuzminski.
