Chief Constable Steve Rai, O.O.M.

steve-rai

Steve Rai
2025-Present

Chief Constable Steve Rai was born in Punjab, India, and immigrated to Vancouver with his family at a young age. Prior to joining the Vancouver Police Department, he served with the Canadian Forces Reserves while also completing his bachelor of arts degree in Asian studies at the University of British Columbia. He then went on to further his education with a master of arts in criminal justice from the University of the Fraser Valley.

Chief Rai began his career with the VPD in 1990, working for eight years as a frontline patrol constable in District 3, with duties that included field training and mentoring new police officers. He also drew on his cultural background to work extensively with the District’s diverse communities. Chief Rai subsequently completed assignments in Court and Detention Services, as a Recruiting Unit investigator, and on secondment to the former Coordinated Law Enforcement Unit. He then completed a second operational tour in District 1 as the community police officer where he managed the Davie Street Community Policing Office. This position required collaboration with local community leaders, business owners, and volunteers to address neighbourhood crime and disorder issues.

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To learn more about the Chief Constables of the Vancouver Police Department,
beginning in 1886, click on the photos below.

adam-palmer

Adam Palmer
2015-2025

jim-chu

Jim Chu
2007-2015

jamie-graham

Jamie Graham
2002-2007

terry-blythe

Terry Blythe
1999-2002

bruce-chambers

Bruce Chambers
1997-1999

raymond-canuel

Raymond Canuel
1994-1997

william-marshall

William Marshall
1991-1994

robert-stewart

Robert Stewart
1981-1991

don-winterton

Don Winterton
1974-1981

john-fisk

John Fisk
1968-1974

ralph-booth

Ralph Booth
1962-1968

george-archer

George Archer
1956-1962

walter-mulligan

Walter Mulligan
1947-1955

alexander-mcneil

Alexander McNeill
1945-1947

donald-mckay

Donald MacKay
1941-1945

william-foster

William Foster
1935-1941

john-cameron

John Cameron
1933-1935

charles-edgett

Charles Edgar Edgett
1931-1933

william-bingham

William Bingham
1929-1931

henry-long

Henry “Harry” Long
1924-1929

james-anderson

James Anderson
1920-1924

william-mcrae

William McRae
1917-1920

malcolm-maclennan

Malcolm MacLennan
1914-1917

charles-mulhern

Charles Mulhern
1913-1914

rufus-chamberlin

Rufus Chamberlin
1907-1912

colin-chisholm

Colin Chisholm
1906-1907

samuel-north

Samuel North
1901-1906

john-stewart

John Stewart
1896-1901

william-ward

William Ward
1895-1896

john-mclaren

John McLaren
1890-1895

john-stewart

John Stewart
1886-1890