If They Only Knew-A Cop's Journey with Addiction & Mental Health

10-5 - The Official Podcast of the OPP Association

Lance Valcour had it all. Or so it seemed. A thirty-three-year career in policing, rising through the ranks to become an Inspector. A decorated veteran cop, respected as an expert in technology and information management systems, speaking and consulting to police services across Canada and around the world. A happy family, a loving wife and three amazing sons. That’s what everyone thought. That’s what everyone saw. If they only knew.

Lance joins 10-5 The Official Podcast of the OPP Assocation to discuss his journey. Behind the veneer lies a deeper story of pain, anger, and a lifelong struggle with addiction and mental health. If all those cops, colleagues, clients, and even friends and family could have seen his ugly private truth, they would have detested the monster he’d become.

Lance Valcour has recently published a book with the hope to help other police officers struggling with addiction and mental health. The book is titled If They Only Knew: A Cop's Journey with Addiction and Mental Health. It is an intensely personal story, not only of one man’s demons and depression, but also of a couple’s commitment, courage, and love, of a woman who, faced with her husband’s growing venom, anger, and cruelty, found the inner strength to stand up and say, “No more. This ends today.”

This podcast and the book explores the journey of a man who, faced with this ultimatum, eventually found the strength and courage to admit that he had a problem and needed help. Who, haunted by his own self-loathing, overcame his darkest days to find serenity, peace, and fulfillment.

The OPP Association is the sole bargaining agent for the close to 10,000 members of the Ontario Provincial Police in Canada. Our members are our focus and our strength. We aim to provide important information to our members and the public about matters that affect policing in the province of Ontario.