Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 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

The 2021 BC Housing Market Outlook & Updates

The 2021 BC Housing Market Outlook & Updates

Recent years have seen BC housing prices soar to unexpected heights, leaving many to believe it’s just a matter of time before the real estate bubble bursts. 

The new normal of 2021

The new normal of 2021

2021 will see changes across a multitude of platforms on both an individual and communal level.

Starting a Small Business During A Pandemic

Starting a Small Business During A Pandemic

While the pandemic and resulting recession have created many new problems affecting life, society, and the world as we know it, it has also created a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs to innovate.

Dating During A Pandemic

Dating During A Pandemic

Dating has always been tough, throw a worldwide pandemic into the mix and you now have a whole new set of challenges.

Finding Happiness

Finding Happiness

Being able to hold on to these habits even once your mood has lifted can help you in leading a happier and more satisfying life overall.

The Rise of E-Commerce

The Rise of E-Commerce

Based on data released by Statistics Canada, e-commerce sales hit a record $3.9 billion in May, a 2.3% increase over April and 99.3% increase over February.