Close X
Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVT 
Interesting

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

Naina Grewal Darpan, 04 Nov, 2024 06:13 PM
  • 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 Interesting ARTICLES

To keep pets in homes, animal welfare groups help owners

To keep pets in homes, animal welfare groups help owners
Early in May, Nydia Bonefont was concerned when her dog wouldn’t eat and seemed lethargic. She realized that Papi, a 9-year-old Beagle/Cavalier mix, must have hurt himself — he cried when he was touched. But she was without income to pay for vet care.

To keep pets in homes, animal welfare groups help owners

Gardening: Winter radishes can add off-season colour, flavour

Gardening: Winter radishes can add off-season colour, flavour
Put a “wow” in your radishes by growing winter varieties. Winter radishes grow more slowly than spring radishes, requiring about two months to mature, and they remain crisp and tasty for eating throughout the winter.

Gardening: Winter radishes can add off-season colour, flavour

Tim Hortons rushes roll out of Black hockey Barbie

Tim Hortons rushes roll out of Black hockey Barbie
Barbie is getting ready to hit the hockey rink with an assist from Tim Hortons.

Tim Hortons rushes roll out of Black hockey Barbie

"The Secret" author Rhonda Byrne has new release in November

The author of the million-selling self-help book “The Secret” is aiming even higher with her next work.

"The Secret" author Rhonda Byrne has new release in November

In 'Boys State,' American politics in a teenage microcosm

In 'Boys State,' American politics in a teenage microcosm
In the often patient and plodding world of documentary filmmaking, it was an intense pace keeping up with the campaigns of two fictional parties -- the Federalists and the Nationalists -- as they picked their candidates and established a party platform.

In 'Boys State,' American politics in a teenage microcosm

Review: `Story of Gardening' gets a timely update

Review: `Story of Gardening' gets a timely update
The Story of Gardening” might sit (heavily) on a coffee table, but it transports the reader out into the yard or the park with some new perspectives and ambitions.

Review: `Story of Gardening' gets a timely update