About the Author
Inspector (Ret.) Lance Valcour, O.O.M.
Inspector (Ret.) Lance Valcour O.O.M. is the author of the soon to be released memoir "If they only knew: A cop's journey with addiction and mental health” and is currently writing his next book tentatively titled “What’s Next.”
Lance retired from the Ottawa Police Service in 2010 after 33 years of service. He is an author, independent consultant, strategic adviser, marketing technologist, digital evangelist, coach, internationally recognized keynote speaker and facilitator on a wide range of public safety issues including information management, information and communications technology, interoperability and business development.
Lance was invested as an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by the Governor General of Canada in 2010 and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. In May 2019 Lance received the 2019 Ontario Women in Law Enforcement’s Presidential Award, one of few men to receive this prestigious award.
Lance has been married to Lise, whose inner strength and courage inspired "If they only knew," for 39 years, with three sons and three grandsons.
A small sample of "If they only knew" reviews
A deeply personal and unflinching reflection.
A testament to the strength of the human spirit.
A testament to the strength of the human spirit.
A deeply personal and unflinching reflection on 30 years of policing. Valcour lays bare the slow creep of his own mental illness and addiction in a profession where personal struggles are often buried beneath a veneer of control and competence.
If They Only Knew is a testament to the beauty of love, courage, and humility.
Patrick F. Parnaby PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology
University of Guelph
A testament to the strength of the human spirit.
A testament to the strength of the human spirit.
A testament to the strength of the human spirit.
‘If They Only Knew’ is a compelling read that resonates with anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of addiction, mental health, and the often unseen burdens carried by first responders.
Lance's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, underscored by the realisation that true healing comes not just from confronting one's demons but also from the support and love of those who stand by us through the storm.
This book is a must-read for those invested in the narratives of addiction recovery, mental health, and the human condition. The memoir is peppered with anecdotes that reveal the complexities of police work and the often thin line officers walk between order and chaos. This book provides a unique perspective on the often glamorised world of policing, and Lance does well to debunk the myths associated with it.
Sgt. Harry Tangye
Author of “Firearms and Fatals: An Autobiography of 30 years Front Line Policing Exposed” with 1,475 global ratings on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/954UC89
A Powerful Reminder.
A testament to the strength of the human spirit.
A Powerful Reminder.
This book is a powerful reminder that many of those currently serving in the law enforcement profession will, at some point in their careers, struggle with depression, addiction, or other forms of at-risk behavior. We, as a profession, need to better recognize this reality and seek to proactively help our colleagues before the damage done is too great to repair.
Inspector (Ret.) Lance Valcour’s compelling story highlights that not only are law enforcement officers at extreme risk during difficult times, but that their families and loved ones often suffer just as much as our officers do. Thanks to the courage of his wife tied with the help of his family and a few close friends and colleagues, Lance summoned the inner strength to recognize his issues and worked hard to address them head on before they destroyed him, his family, and his career.
It is my sincere hope that law enforcement officers (and their families) everywhere take the time to read Lance’s story as it is one that will undoubtedly resonate with them. Although his message is serious, Lance tells his story with a classic mix of cop humor and cynicism which makes it an easy, if sometimes uncomfortable, read.
Christopher M. Moore
Chief of Police (Ret.)
San Jose Police Department