Latest news with #SteveRai
The Province
23-05-2025
- The Province
Steve Rai is Vancouver police's new chief constable
Steve Rai has been with the VPD for more than 30 years, starting his career as a front line patrol officer in Vancouver's east side Steve Rai is the new chief constable of the Vancouver Police Department. Photo by Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS The Vancouver Police Department has a new chief constable, and he's a familiar face to the department. Deputy Chief Steve Rai, who has been serving as interim chief since the retirement of Adam Palmer earlier this year, has been appointed as the police force's 32nd chief constable. The police board reached a decision to appoint Rai on Thursday following a 'demanding and comprehensive' search, including using the assistance of a third-party executive recruitment firm that specializes in policing. 'We are looking for a leader with deep operational experience, sound judgment, and the trust of not just the community but of the department as well, and we did find that leader in Steve Rai,' said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The son of immigrants, Rai was born in the Punjab region of India and grew up in Vancouver, graduating from Kitsilano Secondary school in 1984. His father found work in the VPD's building services team and regaled a young Rai and his brother Roger with stories about police officers. Roger also joined the VPD and had a 29-year career. Rai served with the Canadian Forces Reserves while working towards his undergraduate degree in Asian studies at the University of B.C. He later completed a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of the Fraser Valley. Rai joined the VPD in 1990, starting his career as a patrol officer in Vancouver's east side. His many roles within the department include being a hostage negotiator, forensic interviewer, community policing officer, field trainer, and commander of the public order unit. He has led public order operations during major citywide events, including the Occupy Vancouver protests, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Rai also has experience in key VPD areas, including human resources and training and recruitment. He has served as deputy chief of support services since June 2015. Rai had a baptism of fire soon after becoming acting chief when an SUV rammed into a Filipino street festival on April 26, killing 11 and injuring dozens more. The Lapu Lapu Day festival attack drew international media attention and shone a spotlight on Rai as he spoke to reporters from the scene, calling April 26 'the darkest day in our city's history.' Steve Rai speaks during a news conference after the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy. Photo by DON MACKINNON / AFP via Getty Images He appeared at subsequent news conferences alongside Sim and other officials and spoke at a memorial mass for the victims of the attack at Holy Rosary Cathedral. 'We were looking for a leader who can really jump in,' said Sim. 'First day on the job, absolutely incredible.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract negotiations for Rai's position are underway and will be finalized in the coming days, said police board chair Frank Chong. The talent pool for the position within Canada is 'very small,' he said. There was a shortlist of fewer than 10 candidates. Rai was flanked at the news conference by Deputy Chiefs Howard Chow and Fiona Wilson. Wilson was recently hired as the police chief of the Victoria Police Department. She will take over the position on Aug. 15. Asked by reporters whether there was rivalry between him and Chow, who was promoted to Deputy Chief in September 2017, Rai said he and Chow were good friends. Chow said Rai was an 'excellent choice.' 'We're in a good position, a good spot with public safety with Steve at the helm.' chchan@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Local News Local News Local News
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
New chief announced for Vancouver police
Vancouver Watch Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim announced the appointment of Steve Rai as the new chief of the city's police department Thursday.
Vancouver Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Steve Rai is Vancouver police's new chief constable
The Vancouver Police Department has a new chief constable, and he's a familiar face to the department. Deputy Chief Steve Rai, who has been serving as interim chief since the retirement of Adam Palmer earlier this year, has been appointed as the police force's 32nd chief constable. The police board reached a decision to appoint Rai on Thursday following a 'demanding and comprehensive' search, including using the assistance of a third-party executive recruitment firm that specializes in policing. 'We are looking for a leader with deep operational experience, sound judgment, and the trust of not just the community but of the department as well, and we did find that leader in Steve Rai,' said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. Huge congratulations to #VPD Interim Chief Steve Rai on his well-deserved promotion to Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department! @DeputyChiefRai @VancouverPD @VanPoliceBoard @CityofVancouver @KenSimCity @BCPoliceChiefs @CACP_ACCP @MjrCitiesChiefs The son of immigrants, Rai was born in the Punjab region of India and grew up in Vancouver. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. His father found work in the VPD's building services team, 'the same organization where his son today would become chief,' said Sim. Rai has served with the VPD for more than 30 years, starting his career as a patrol officer in Vancouver's east side. His many roles within the department include being a hostage negotiator, forensic interviewer, community policing officer, field trainer, and commander of the public order unit. He has led public order operations during major citywide events, including the Occupy Vancouver protests, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. Rai also has experience in key VPD areas, including human resources and training and recruitment, and served as deputy chief of support services. Rai had a baptism of fire the day he became acting chief duties when the horrific Lapu Lapu Day festival attack killed 11 people and injured dozens more. The tragedy drew international media attention and shone a spotlight on Rai as he spoke to reporters from the scene, calling April 26 'the darkest day in our city's history.' He appeared at subsequent news conferences alongside Sim and other officials and spoke at a memorial mass for the victims of the attack at Holy Rosary Cathedral. 'We were looking for a leader who can really jump in,' said Sim. 'First day on the job, absolutely incredible.' Contract negotiations for Rai's position are underway and will be finalized in the coming days, said police board chair Frank Chong. The talent pool for the position within Canada is 'very small,' he said. There was a shortlist of fewer than 10 candidates. chchan@
CBC
23-05-2025
- CBC
Steve Rai named new Vancouver police chief after filling job in interim role
The Vancouver Police Board has appointed interim police chief Steve Rai to be the Vancouver Police Department's new chief constable. Rai has more than three decades of experience with the Vancouver Police Department, the city said in a statement, having worked through the ranks to lead major operations, including the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. Mayor Ken Sim said Rai was chosen to be new police chief following a thorough selection process. "With Chief Rai at the helm, Vancouver is in strong hands as we work to build a safer, more connected, and more resilient city," Sim said. Rai had recently received a national profile fronting briefings about the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy that claimed 11 lives in Vancouver last month. The mayor called Rai — who was born in India's Punjab region, and grew up in Vancouver — "a powerful reflection of our city that's diverse, driven and rooted in service." His appointment as the department's 32nd chief constable comes after former chief Adam Palmer stepped down from the position he had held for 10 years.
CBC
16-05-2025
- CBC
City of Vancouver, VPD share preliminary safety review following Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Chief Constable Steve Rai presented the findings of a safety review in response to the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy, where a car drove into a crowd, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more.
