Chief Constable Steve Rai

I’m incredibly proud that the Vancouver Police Department has been recognized as one of B.C.’s Top Employers. This honour reflects the dedication and professionalism our employees bring to their work every day. If you’re looking to build a meaningful career with one of B.C.’s Top Employers, we’re hiring. Join us and be part of a team that makes a difference. JoinVPD.ca @VPDRecruiting

This month, our newest Traffic Authority members were officially sworn in with the Vancouver Police Department. Their commitment will help support safe and efficient roadways throughout our city. #VancouverPolice #TrafficAuthority #VPD

The #VPD’s newest officers from Class 177 participated today in Indigenous-led On the Land cultural training and a sweat lodge ceremony in the upper Squamish Valley with the Squamish Nation. This meaningful program brings together policing partners who serve Indigenous communities across B.C. with Elders and youth, fostering mutual respect and deeper understanding through shared cultural experiences and open dialogue.

Heartbroken at the loss of retired Constable Brenda Burridge. For the better part of six years, I was blessed to work with her on a daily basis. An incredible partner on the job, a great cop and an even better friend. You will never be forgotten.♥️

Great to see the experience of veteran officers highlighted in today’s @theprovince article. At the @VancouverPD, our Retired Police Officer Program helps bring that experience back to mentor and support the next generation of officers. Interested in joining the team? We’re hiring. @VPDRecruiting @VPDChiefRai #RPOP #JoinVPD 🚓 pressreader.com/canada/the-pro…

Congratulations to the graduates of Class 177 as you step forward into your new careers as police officers. You have chosen a profession that will challenge you in ways you cannot yet fully imagine, but will also reward you with a profound sense of purpose and service. Wear your badge with pride, support one another, and never lose sight of the responsibility and honour that comes with the oath you have taken.

#VPDNews: Calling it a pragmatic and sensible approach that balances police powers and privacy rights, Chief Constable Steve Rai today endorsed proposed federal legislation to improve access to information about offenders who use smartphones and the internet to commit crimes. "The growth of modern smartphones and telecommunications networks has brought rapid and dramatic change to the world around us. While many of these changes have made our lives easier, they have also created new opportunities for criminals who use telecommunications to plan, execute, and finance crimes that threaten public safety," says Chief Rai, who hosted a roundtable discussion Friday that included local police leaders, along with federal and provincial legislators. "Unfortunately, existing laws have not kept pace with these technological changes. As a result, the work of identifying offenders, solving crimes, and keeping our communities safe has become more difficult. While Bill C-22 is just one step, I believe it is a step in the right direction – one that balances the operational needs of police with the privacy rights of citizens." Chief Rai's comments came following the introduction of Bill C-22 – federal legislation that would help streamline the legal process for police to identify people who use telecommunications devices and the internet to commit crime. "The tools proposed in Bill C-22 would make it easier for police officers to identify which telecommunications service provider an offender may be using to commit crimes. This would allow investigators to move more quickly to serve production orders and secure critical evidence," added Chief Rai. "While this proposed legislation represents a significant step forward, it also ensures that any private information gathered during a criminal investigation is obtained lawfully and in full compliance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms."

#VPD retired officers are back on patrol in the Downtown Eastside. Through our Retired Police Officer Program, they return on contract to support frontline policing, mentor younger officers, and continue serving the community. If you’re a recently retired officer, apply now: bit.ly/4bj10cl @VPDRecruiting

#VPDNews: VPD officers working in the Downtown Eastside have helped re-unite a stolen high-end bicycle with its owner, after the bike was taken during a residential break-and-enter in North Vancouver last week. A VPD Special Municipal Constable was patrolling near the Vancouver Jail, at Main and East Cordova Street, on March 6 when he spotted two suspicious people with a valuable Specialized road bike. The SMC stopped to speak with the people, who were unable to explain where they got the bike or what they were doing with it. Although it hadn’t yet been reported stolen and wasn’t registered with Project 529, the heads-up Special Municipal Constable contacted a Specialized retailer, provided the bike’s serial number, and learned that the people in possession of the bike weren’t the ones that bought it. After making several more phone calls, the SMC tracked down the rightful owner, who was unaware that the bike had been stolen that week from their residence near Cates Park in North Vancouver. “While we’re thrilled to have recovered this bike and are now in the process of returning it, most cases like this don’t have such a happy ending,” says Constable Megan Lui. “We recommend all cyclists register their bikes with Project 529 as an additional security measure to prevent theft, and to help police track their owners when bikes are stolen.” The bike is now in the process of being returned to its owner.

Happy International Women’s Day! Today #VPD honours the determination, professionalism and grit of the women who lead, serve and inspire in our communities every day - and the young women coming up who push us to be better and will lead the future forward. #IWD2026 #GiveToGain

Honouring the women who serve, protect, and lead with strength and compassion every day. Happy International Women's Day. #IWD2026 #internationalwomensday #GiveToGain

Following today’s incidents in Ontario the VPD has added additional police resources as a precaution to support community safety and provide reassurance.

VPD marine division rescues woman off yacht after assault report vancouversun.com/news/vpd-marin…

#VPD Constable Hazen Winslow Hall was granted leave to enlist for military service and fight in WWI. He arrived in France in 1916 and died on the battlefield less than a year later on March 7, 1917. Read his story: bit.ly/46VzX5i #NeverForget #EOW #WWI

For 40 years, the #VPD Ceremonial Unit has been a consistent presence for Vancouver during moments of remembrance, celebration, tragedy, and honour. Thank you to all members, past and present, who have volunteered your time, service, and leadership to represent our Department and our city with pride.

The Vancouver Police Department is closely monitoring the situation in Iran. We are liaising with our policing partners, and additional officers have been deployed to manage pre-planned protests. We will adjust our deployment appropriately as the situation unfolds.

#VPDNews: The Vancouver Police Department announced today the creation of the Vancouver Police Training Academy - Centre of Excellence in the Woodward’s building at 351 Abbott Street. “The issue of municipal police training in B.C. was first raised in 2017,” said Chief Constable Steve Rai. “Nearly a decade later, the core challenges remain.” He noted that the current Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) Police Academy model still does not meet Vancouver’s complex policing needs. “Several formal reviews of the JIBC Police Academy have highlighted the issues we’re talking about (We Must Do Better: Best Practices Review of Municipal Police Training in British Columbia and Municipal Police Training in British Columbia – Needs Assessment). The Province invited submissions for municipal police departments to run their own satellite police academies. We’ve been waiting for the Province’s decision for almost five months.” Although the JIBC has increased its recruit cohort size, Chief Constable Rai emphasized that the expansion remains far below the VPD’s training demand. As a result, the VPD continues to provide extensive remedial training, including approximately eight weeks of combined pre‑ and post‑academy instruction for every new recruit. Contemporary policing requires specialized skills, advanced scenario-based learning, and expanded instructional capacity. The Vancouver Police Training Academy will provide advanced training for currently serving VPD officers and will also bridge the gap to prepare recent recruit graduates for policing in Vancouver. The location of the new academy was specifically chosen to bring greater police presence to the surrounding area. “We chose the Woodward’s site to reinforce our commitment to the Downtown Eastside community. The VPD is part of this community and we want our training to reflect that commitment,” said Chief Constable Rai. “Residents and businesses across Vancouver have been clear: they want stability, predictability, and to feel safe,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “Locating this new training academy in the Woodward’s complex will help anchor daily activity and presence in the heart of our city, contributing to safety, stability, and long-term renewal in Gastown and the surrounding communities.” The Vancouver Police Training Academy - Centre of Excellence is a practical, scalable, long-term solution. It will address identified deficiencies, align with provincial certification requirements, and reflect Vancouver’s unique policing environment. “The people of Vancouver deserve a police service that is thoroughly prepared, well-trained, and ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Chief Constable Rai. “This Centre of Excellence reinforces our commitment to public safety, now and into the future.”

On February 26, 1947, #VPD Constables Oliver Ledingham and Charles Boyes were shot and killed by three bank robbery suspects. A third officer, Constable Percy Alan Hoare, was also wounded and eventually recovered. Read their stories: bit.ly/3MtuX13 and bit.ly/4s1H6JA #NeverForget #EOW

#VPD staff and volunteers are proud to take part in today’s Chinatown Spring Festival Parade—walking alongside the community, and helping ensure the safety of both participants and spectators. #LunarNewYear

Today marks the start of the Lunar New Year! #VPD is wishing all who are celebrating a very prosperous, joyful, and safe year! #LunarNewYear #YearOfTheHorse 🧧🐴 @VancouverPD @ChineseCPC

Families are so important to our VPD officers and civilian professionals -- whether it’s the one you were born into or one that you choose. Thank you to our VPD staff and all first responders who are taking time away from their families today, so the rest of us can enjoy #FamilyDay.