Chief Katie McLellan has a unique perspective and background combining policing and security experience from both the private and public sectors. Her time spent as a security expert in the private sector highlighted to her the importance of building safe and resilient communities through partnership and collaboration with the community and she is a strong advocate for crime prevention through social development.
Having immigrated to Calgary from her home in Scotland, Chief McLellan joined the Calgary Police Service in 1987. For the next thirteen years she worked in the Communications Section and as a general duty patrol Constable and Sergeant in Districts 4 and 3. Those early years engaged in grass roots community policing taught her that the police alone cannot prevent and solve crime without support from communities and partner social agencies committed to improving the lives of all Calgarians.
The career of Chief McLellan in the Calgary Police Service spanned numerous areas including the Professional Standards Section, the Chief Crowfoot Learning Center, the Emergency Communications Center and as a Duty Inspector. She was the first Inspector of the Criminal Operations Section. Chief McLellan was promoted to Superintendent in 2008 and went on to lead the Information and Technology Division, the Executive Office of the Chief Constable with oversight of the Professional Standards Section, the Legal Services Section, the Strategic Communications Section and the Freedom of Information and Privacy Section. From 2010 to 2013 Chief McLellan was the Superintendent of the Field Operations Division where she and her team of commanders built and lead frontline policing in the City. In this role, she was grateful to perform a guiding and strategic role in advancing the evolving model of community mobilization and engagement. The complexity of social issues only furthered her resolve to leverage community and social services support in ensuring community safety.
In 2013, Chief McLellan retired as the Senior Superintendent and transitioned to the corporate security realm joining an International Oil and Gas exploration company as the Senior Security Advisor. Chief McLellan recognized the critical interface between security and policing and the importance of all public safety partners, whether peace officers, professional security or police, in building a sustainable foundation for community safety. Within the corporate security realm, she was focused on building respectful workplaces, and issues related to workplace violence. Chief McLellan performed a strategic leadership role in working internally with Human Resource teams to bring about a healthy, respectful and inclusive workplace.
The goal for Chief McLellan was always to return to public policing. In May 2018, she joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was selected to be the Officer in Charge of Federal Policing South, Serious and Organized Crime (K Division). And, in December 2019 she returned to municipal policing in the next stage of her professional policing career as a Chief of the Calgary Police Service.
Chief McLellan possesses a Bachelor of Professional Arts degree (Criminal Justice, Athabasca University). She is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and holds a Corporate Executive Diploma from the Faculty of Business, University of Alberta as well as numerous certificates including Senior Police Management, Police Leadership Supervisory Skills and a Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Diploma. Chief McLellan has been trained as a Hostage Negotiator, an Emergency Operation Centre Lead and an Incident Management Team Commander.
Chief McLellan is the recipient of the Police Exemplary Service Medal, Alberta Police Officer Centennial Medal, Alberta Emergency Services Medal, Calgary Police Distinguished Service Medal and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Chief McLellan looks forward to enhancing community partnerships and working with all Calgary Police Service employees to ensure Calgary is at all times a safe place to live.