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5d ago

Steve Rai Named Vancouver Police Chief After Rigorous Selection Process

Rai, a 30-year veteran of the force, takes permanent command following his interim leadership during a period of heightened public safety concerns.

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai speaks after mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral on a provincial day of mourning for the victims of the vehicle-ramming attack at the Filipino community's Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver, on May 2. Rai has now been appointed to the role permanently. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim (right) and Vancouver police acting Chief Steve Rai leave after visiting the scene Sunday where a vehicle drove into a crowd at a street festival on Saturday evening in Vancouver.
Steve Rai speaks during a news conference after the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy.

Overview

  • Steve Rai has been officially appointed as the 32nd Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department after serving as interim leader since February.
  • Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver Police Board Chair Frank Chong announced the appointment following a demanding external recruitment process.
  • Rai brings over three decades of experience within the department, including frontline work in the Downtown Eastside and leadership during major events like the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2011 Stanley Cup Riot.
  • He gained national recognition for his leadership and public briefings after the Lapu Lapu festival vehicle attack, the deadliest incident in Vancouver's recent history.
  • Rai succeeds Adam Palmer, who retired after a decade as chief, and has pledged to prioritize community trust and public safety in his new role.