Justice Beyond the Verdict: How One Tragedy Transformed Canada's Approach to Forced Marriage

By: Shahin Mehdizadeh, O.O.M., MBA

After more than 37 years in policing, people often ask what has kept me motivated throughout my career. My answer is simple: a passion for helping others and a deep commitment to serving the community. While many would consider nearly four decades in public service a long time, I often feel as though I began yesterday. The years have passed quickly because every day has presented an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Over the course of my career, including more than 31 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and six years as Chief of Police of the Lethbridge Police Service, I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of policing roles and leadership positions. Through those experiences, I have come to appreciate that the most meaningful aspect of public service is not simply responding to challenges, but working to create lasting change that improves the lives of people and strengthens communities.

A Defining Moment

One of the most significant and impactful initiatives of my career emerged from a tragic case that profoundly affected me both professionally and personally. In 2009, while supporting the Kingston Police Service during a high-profile homicide investigation, I witnessed the devastating consequences of forced marriage and so-called honour-based violence. The case involved the murders of three young sisters and another woman whose lives were taken by family members seeking to justify their actions through a distorted concept of honour.

The tragedy attracted international attention and exposed many Canadians to the realities of forced marriage and honour-based crimes. While the successful prosecution delivered justice, it became clear to me that enforcement alone was not enough. Preventing future victimization would require awareness, education, advocacy, and meaningful collaboration across multiple sectors.

Moving Beyond Enforcement

Inspired by the belief that policing should focus not only on responding to harm but also on preventing it, I became involved in national efforts to improve understanding of forced marriage and honour-based violence across Canada. Working with colleagues, government partners, and community stakeholders, we sought to close knowledge gaps and develop practical tools that would enable professionals to identify risks and better protect vulnerable individuals.

This work contributed to the development of training resources for police officers across the country, including an online educational program accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide. Beyond policing, I had the opportunity to deliver presentations and awareness sessions for schools, family service organizations, women's advocacy groups, prosecutors, and community agencies. Each engagement was an opportunity to build understanding, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that those at risk would have access to informed support and protection.

Creating Lasting Impact

Perhaps the most meaningful lesson from this experience was the realization that lasting change is achieved when communities, governments, and public servants work together toward a common purpose. Recognizing legislative gaps that limited protections for vulnerable individuals, I joined other experts and stakeholders in providing testimony to federal decision-makers. These efforts contributed to the development of new legal measures aimed at addressing forced marriage and enhancing protections for potential victims.

While legislation represents only one component of the solution, it demonstrated how informed advocacy, community engagement, and evidence-based policy can come together to improve public safety and better serve those who need protection most.

Leadership Through Service

As a police leader, I often share this experience with younger officers because it illustrates an important principle about public service: our greatest impact frequently occurs outside of the traditional boundaries of our roles. True leadership is not measured solely by the positions we hold, but by our willingness to identify problems, champion solutions, and inspire others to become part of the answer.

The work to address forced marriage and honour-based violence is far from complete. However, I take pride in knowing that greater awareness exists today than when we began, that support systems for victims have grown stronger, and that many individuals have received help because dedicated people chose to act. 

Continuing the Mission

Public service is ultimately about people. It is about creating safer communities, protecting the vulnerable, and leaving institutions stronger than we found them. Throughout my career, I have been inspired by the resilience of victims, the dedication of colleagues, and the power of communities coming together to address complex challenges.

The greatest reward has never been the recognition. It has been knowing that our collective efforts have made a difference in the lives of others. That is what continues to inspire me today, and why I remain proud to serve

Meet the Author:

Shahin Mehdizadeh, O.O.M., MBA, is Chief of Police at the Lethbridge Police Service in Alberta, Canada. He has nearly four decades of policing leadership and impact in communities across Canada and overseas. His work spans drugs and organized crime, contract policing, covert operations, major crimes, and national security. As a police executive, he leads complex, decentralized organizations, manages multi-million-dollar budgets, and works closely with government and community partners to strengthen public safety. He is committed to high standards, cultural change, and continuous improvement in policing.