Cst. O’Connell has been a member of the GPS for 21 years. He is the epitome of a member committed to community engagement. As an officer assigned to the downtown core of Guelph, he serves the community in an unbiased and open manner! Most recently, while off duty, he organized assisting homeless members of the community with cleaning up an encampment and finding shelter for them. Mark O'Connell's name will be given if you speak to community members and ask what officers they know in Guelph. He has been awarded member of the year previously at the GPS and is truly an example of community policing excellence.