b'A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N TLessons Learned and Practiced By Chief Antje McNeely, President (2020-21)T heconfluenceoverBoardofDirectorsmeetingswithadaptedtonewwaysofdoing thepastyearofaZone Directors to ensure informationbusiness,withtheexpandeduse numberofsignificantwassharedinatimelymannerofPersonalProtectionEquipment mattersimpactingourbetweensmall,medium,andlarge(PPE),enhancedworkplacesani-communitiesthepoliceservices.OACPCommitteestization, modified uniformed patrol opioid crisis epidemic, the COVID-19and Sub-Committees continued to beshifts to ensure a healthy front line, pandemic, the social inequities in ourrelied upon as subject matter expertsfacilitating remote work when pos-society that continue to come to light,forinformeddecision-making.sible,andconductingtrainingand to name just a fewhas generatedThere were regular discussions withmeetings on virtual platforms.abundant material for lessons to begovernmentofficials,policeservi- Despiteourbestefforts,the learnedforpoliceleaders.Iwrotecesboards,andpoliceassociationpandemic continued and second and aboutthisintheWinter2020/21representatives. In my municipality,third waves brought about variants issueofH.Q.magazine(TheYeara community check-in call with ourof concern. To address this reality, of Living Our Leadership) and it ismayoroccurredonaweeklybasis;protractedstay-at-homeorders somethingIcontinuetoponderasthiscallalsoincludedcommunityandcontinuouschangesinother we see the light at the end of theleaders from across the city, includingemergencyorders,includingtravel pandemictunnel.Althoughissuesthoseinpublichealth,andhelpedrestrictions, were instituted through related to addictions, mental health,shed light on how different sectorsgovernmentlegislation.Theuncer-andsystemicracismexistedwellwere being impacted. taintyandconfusionfeltbysome before the pandemic, the pandemicMore frequent meetings were heldcommunity members with this pro-exponentiallymagnifiedthecrackswithinourpoliceservicesbetweenlonged departure from normality has withinourchronicallyunderfundedtheadministrationandassociationresulted in anti-mask/anti-lockdown social infrastructure.executives to ensure that membersdemonstrations and a perception of Aftertheprovincedeclaredaconcerns were addressed in a timelybeingdisproportionatelyimpacted StateofEmergencyonMarch17,fashion and that decisions were basedthroughenforcement.Chiefsof 2020, one of the first responses byonfactualandcredibleinformationPolice/OPP Commissioner and other the Ontario Association of Chiefs ofprovidedbypublichealthexperts.seniorpoliceleadershavebeen Police(OACP)wastoholdweeklyPolice services across Ontario quicklyconsistent in their messaging about 6 H.Q. Summer 2021'