Close X
Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVT 
Feature

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Rai: Building a Rewarding Career with the VPD

Naina Grewal Darpan, 04 Nov, 2024
  • Deputy Chief Constable Steve Rai: Building a Rewarding Career with the VPD

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Rai’s career with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is an inspiring story of dedication, leadership, and a deep commitment to both law enforcement and community service. Embarking on a remarkable journey that would see him rise to one of the highest ranks in the VPD, Rai started his career with the VPD in 1990 as a frontline patrol constable. 

Reflecting on his roots, Rai has often emphasized the importance of his cultural background in shaping his approach to policing. Drawing on his cultural experience has been key in serving the district’s ethnically diverse communities. He shares, “Increasing diversity has always been the goal of any strong, viable, and good police department. They will always say recruiting from the community to reflect the community is a priority.” As per Rai, the VPD is the most diverse police force in the province and ranks among the top five for diversity in the country.

Attributing his success to his willingness to embrace challenges and remain open to learning, Rai says, “I never said no to anything. It’s easy to say no, but saying yes helps you grow. Whether it was writing a warrant at 3:00 am, near the end of my shift, or stepping into the field late at night in the rain, I always said yes. By accepting every challenge, I gained a wealth of experience at a very young age.”

For aspiring recruits, Rai’s advice is to make good decisions and have fun, but also be mindful that some choices will have a long-term impact; the goal should be to pursue interests while prioritizing education, taking care of health, and striving to grow into a well-rounded individual with a broad perspective on the world. 

Rai highlights, “I wanted a profession that had teamwork in it and that would look different every day. In 34 years, I’ve had probably 17 different careers within my vocation. Every 2 or 3 years, I do something different. Moreover, I've never regretted my career choice! I'd do it all over again, and VPD feels like a second home. With our attrition rate below 1%, it's clear that no one quits; they retire, but they don't quit.”

If you're considering a career in policing, Rai’s journey exemplifies firsthand that VPD addresses a wide spectrum of issues and offers diverse, rewarding opportunities beyond crime fighting. These include working with young people, families, women, the elderly, and even tech crime. As Rai puts it, “This truly is a career that offers everything!”

MORE Feature ARTICLES

Why is India where it is today

Why is India where it is today

Heart-breaking stories have now become common in India, as the second wave of coronavirus is wreaking havoc.

Back to Normal? A Post-vaccination Canada

Back to Normal? A Post-vaccination Canada

As governments put a stop to social activities we previously took for granted, the question of finally returning back to the delicacies of ‘normal’ life lingers.

The Gunfire Pandemic: When will it end?

The Gunfire Pandemic: When will it end?

Staying safe these days may not just in reference to the pandemic, but also general social safety in our cities. 

6 Indian Web-series To Watch Out For

6 Indian Web-series To Watch Out For

From thriller to cop drama, to dark comedy to women-centric stories — there is indeed some promising content lined up for OTT release in the coming year. 

The Sikh Foundation

The Sikh Foundation

It has been over 50 years since The Sikh Foundation was established and the work they have done in the field of education and culture is exceptional.

Serving Humanity At No Cost

The purpose of this hospital is to serve humanity; Sikhs are known for this, we are doing this for years. Soon you will see, this will not be just India’s but the world’s largest kidney dialysis hospital.