The graduation of Calgary Police Service Class 256 brings the McLellan family together

Acting Chief Constable Cathy MacLellan said she was “bursting with pride” when another son of hers joined the Calgary Police Service (CPS).

On May 17, 2024, 22 members of the Calgary Police Service (CPS) Class 256 celebrated graduation at the Mewata Armory in Calgary.

Calgary Police is budgeted to add 290 officers (over four years) through the City of Calgary budget, including the addition of new officers. The province also said it would fund an additional 50 officers for Calgary. During budget deliberations last year, Chief Mark Neufeld said some of the provincially funded officers could be on the streets in the second quarter of this year. It is not known whether these graduates are the result of that program.

A/Chief McLellan presented the enlisted constables with their badges. Among the 22 graduates was Douglas MacLellan, who would join not only his mother, but also his twin brother, Robert MacLellan, and his retired father, Andy MacLellan, in serving and protecting citizens as members of the Calgary police.

“There are a lot of emotions. You have mother hats, and as a police officer, you have hats. (I) couldn't be more proud,” said A/Chief McLellan.

McLellan himself has served CPS for 33 years. He originally joined in 1987 after moving from Scotland and has since become an officer known for promoting social development as a crime prevention method.

McLellan left the military in 2013 to provide corporate security as a senior security consultant at an international oil and gas exploration company. In this role, he understood how all aspects of public safety must work together to create a foundation for community safety, and this is one of his main areas of focus in 2024 as he works with his two sons.

“I think every Halloween me and my brother would dress up, we'd dress up as cops and follow my mom and dad around. I remember we both wanted to be police officers,” said Const. Douglas McLellan.

“I was touched by my brother joining CPS. He used to be RCMP and I worked in previous law enforcement with Alberta sheriffs in the Sheriff's Highway Patrol. But Calgary is home and the Calgary Police Service is home, so I'm back.”

Robert McLellan, Douglas' twin brother, said they were always close growing up and still are. He and his brother influenced each other to some extent, but their parents played a major role in their decisions.

“I think we're definitely similar. I think we'll do our best there and try to follow in Mom and Dad's footsteps. They are so wonderful,” said Robert.

Constable Douglas McLellan has been assigned to the 1st District Police Station in Ramsay. Her goal is to focus on community engagement and make her family and CPS proud.

“I think the whole service is family. We are all brothers. We all mirror each other. We are all there for each other in good times and in bad times, in times of celebration and mourning,” said Constable Douglas McLellan.