Member Spotlight: Chief Superintendents Christina Dawson and Jennifer McCue

No successful career has the same origin story.

Some times there is a light bulb moment where a person finds their calling, other times it begins by making difficult decisions that set you down a path.

Chief Superintendent Christina Dawson’s policing journey began after meeting a female Ontario Provincial Police officer while working for the Ministry of Natural Resources as a teenager.

“It was the impression she left on me. I’ll always carry that with me,” she said. 

34 years later, Chief Superintendent Dawson has worked throughout York Regional Police, from supporting victims of crime through intimate partner violence investigations, to training officers to help people in crisis. 

She now helps oversee the five operational districts, serving under Deputy Chief Ahmad Salhia in the Community Safety Branch. 

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Jennifer McCue’s career began with a fork in the road.

When she attended university, she was torn between a career in law, or following in her father’s footsteps to become a police officer. 

“My father was a police officer at that time, so I knew a lot about York Regional Police through him and policing always interested me,” she explained. “I did my co-op placement with Ontario Provincial Police when I was in grade 11, and from then on it was the love of the job.” 

Now, Chief Superintendent McCue serves as the Chief's Executive Officer, overseeing the Office of the Chief. This includes Strategic Stakeholder Engagement and Executive Services; intelligence and data, strategic and project planning, marketing and communications, inclusion and equity, and other corporate functions.

The Chief Superintendent positions are new to York Regional Police as of 2025, the highest sworn role below Deputy Chief, and the fact that they are both held by women means a lot to Chief Superintendent McCue. 

“When I started in Markham on the platoon, I was the only female, and I was the only female for a very long time,” she said. “So, York Regional Police has made great progression towards inclusion.” 

Chief Superintendent McCue said policing has changed significantly since her career began.

“It continues to change and evolve, and we evolve with it,” she said.

Chief Superintendent Dawson also noted that York Regional Police is continually growing and facing new challenges, but she takes immense pride in how our members are navigating those challenges on a daily basis. 

She used the example of how York Regional Police addresses mental health in the community and in our service now compared to three decades ago.  

“It’s really impactful when you see police and the community come together to address an issue,” she said. 

Reflecting more broadly on her policing career, she explained, “It’s just been so rewarding that I’ve had so much opportunity to do so many different things within one career, applying different skills and being there for people – within the organization and our community – that’s the part I really value the most.”

Chief Superintendent McCue said a career in policing has afforded her the opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way.

“Lots of times you meet people – sometimes it’s on the worst day of their lives – and if you can play a small part in making that better for them, it’s just so very rewarding,” she said. 

“It’s also a dynamic and ever-evolving career,” Chief Superintendent McCue continued.

“Everyday was a new job, you never knew what you would come across, you never knew what you were going to get to do,” she explained, noting the “endless opportunities” available at York Regional Police. 

For Chief Superintendent Dawson, she finds motivation in putting the mandates of our police service into action on the frontline. 

“The strategic direction of the organization is tied to our mission and vision and values,” she said. “Seeing all of that come together, in the great work people are doing on the frontline, I’m fortunate to experience that every day.”

Chief Superintendent Dawson’s advice for women aspiring to become police officers? Be authentic.

“When I started, I promised myself I wouldn’t change who I was,” she explained. “I would never become something to fit into a certain mold or be someone I’m not. Never lose sight of who are you and the things that are important to you.”

Chief Superintendent McCue echoed similar sentiments.

“You can just be yourself,” she said. “Don’t think that you need to come into the job and be like your male counterparts because women offer different skills, and it’s a benefit.”