Jim Chu, VPD chief, retires after 36 years

[escapefromstress]

Vancouver police chief Jim Chu will retire in spring 2015, once a successor has been found to lead the city’s force, he announced Friday.

Chu, who is a 36-year veteran of the force, leaves after seven-and-half years as VPD chief. Still in his 50s, Chu told reporters on Friday that he has no plans for the future — beyond taking some time off to relax.

Though his name has regularly been mentioned as someone with potential for political office, Chu rebuffed the suggestion Friday, without completely ruling it out. "I will not comment until my role as VPD chief is over," he said, noting that he plans to remain "focused and impartial" until he leaves the role.

A Canada-wide search for Chu's replacement will be launched.

Calling the departing chief his "friend", Mayor Gregor Robertson proffered his "sincere gratitude and appreciation" for Chu's "incredible" work. "He will be greatly missed," Robertson said. "We will miss his sense of humour...elaborate birthday messages, dispatch of tweets..."

Robertson said there will be consultation regarding the qualities the community is looking for in the next chief, noting that there are also candidates currently within the VPD to be considered.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/jim-chu-vpd-chief-retires-after-36-years-1.2929623

 

[hornygandalf]

Wonder why he is leaving before his contract is up, considering many people think he has been doing a pretty good job... and he is still in his 50s.
To run for political office certainly could be a possibility...

And I hope his successor doesn't significantly change the VPD approach to the sex industry...

 

[Lo-ki]

Wonder why he is leaving before his contract is up, considering many people think he has been doing a pretty good job... and he is still in his 50s.
To run for political office certainly could be a possibility...

And I hope his successor doesn't significantly change the VPD approach to the sex industry...

No worries...he's gonna be Gregor's little puppet...

 

[poorboyv6]

I probably would have retired at 35 years after making max pension. Some people aren't even able to do 35 years.

 

[escapefromstress]

Vancouver’s new police chief a unanimous choice: Former deputy Adam Palmer

VANCOUVER — Months of speculation ended Thursday with the announcement that Deputy Chief Adam Palmer, a 28-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department, will be the city’s new top cop.

The other finalist for the job, Deputy Chief Doug LePard, decided to withdraw and support Palmer just before the final interviews were conducted, according to a statement from Vancouver's mayor and police board chair Gregor Robertson. “Following the final interview completed today, the police board decided unanimously that Adam was the right person to lead the VPD,” the mayor added.

Palmer will replace retiring Chief Const. Jim Chu. “I am very pleased that we were able to choose a new chief internally and grateful to the eight members of the police board for their careful deliberations,” said Chu. “I will work with the new chief with the goal of making the transition as smooth and soon as possible.”

Chu also thanked LePard for “making a difficult personal decision to withdraw. I know he was putting the interests of the VPD first,” he said.

A date for a formal change-of-command ceremony will be announced shortly, according to a news release. Palmer was not available for an interview Thursday, but a press conference is planned for Friday morning.

Palmer was born and raised in the Vancouver area. Prior to joining the VPD, he studied business administration at Simon Fraser University and worked as a correctional officer. He began his career with the VPD in 1987 and spent the first 13 years working as a patrol officer in east Vancouver.

While a sergeant, he was extensively involved in the development of the VPD’s strategic plan and managed a long-term review of policing operations at the department. As an inspector, he was the officer in charge of Patrol District 2 which includes the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown, Strathcona, Grandview-Woodlands and Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhoods. He was also responsible for port and marine policing.

In 2010, the longtime police officer was promoted to deputy chief. He is currently assigned to the Investigation Division, where he is responsible for all investigative areas of the VPD including major crime, special investigations, organized crime, general investigations, forensic services, tactical support and youth services.

Robertson said the police board was “confident” Palmer would continue the work done by Chu, “striving to make Vancouver the safest major city in Canada and further enhancing the reputation of the VPD as an excellent police service.”

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Vancouver+police+chief+unanimous+choice+Former+deputy+Adam/10978077/story.html