Chief Southall started her policing career in 1970 with the Metropolitan Toronto Police Service. She served in a number of areas, including Uniform Patrol, Morality Bureau, Mobile Support Unit and the Youth Crime Division. She joined the Niagara Police Services Board in 1982, and since that time has been an Enforcement Officer and Issuer of Licences in charge of the Licencing Department. In 1989, she was promoted to Administrator of the Police Services Board and worked under the direction of eight Board Chairs. 

Chief Southall was appointed to the Niagara Regional Police Service as acting Chief Administrative Officer in February 2000 and promoted to Chief Administrative Officer in January 2001. She has been directly responsible for the operations of the Finance Unit, Fleet and Facilities Management, Human Resources including Recruiting, Training, Career Development, Information Services and Police Records.

Chief Southall is leading the Niagara Regional Police Service through a time of transition, including a complete technological renovation; a region wide change, focused on promoting greater road safety and the development of formal structures aimed at succession planning and recruiting. 

Chief Southall has served as the chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Criminal Justice Committee, and currently sits on the Board of Directors. She has served as the chair of the capital campaign for Women’s Place of Niagara, the co-chair of the capital campaign for the Child Advocacy Center, the chair of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Campaign, as well as an active member of the Rotary Club of Niagara. 

Chief Southall has completed the Police Executive Leadership Program at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Business. In 2006, she completed her Masters in Public Administration at the University of Western Ontario.

Documents Available from Chief Southall:

• Swearing-in Address of Chief Southall