Deputy Chief Constable Adam Palmer

Deputy Chief Adam Palmer has been a member of the Vancouver Police Department since 1987.  During that time, he has worked in a variety of operational, investigative and administrative areas.  He spent the first 13 years of his career working as a patrol officer in District Three.  He has also worked in the Crowd Control Unit, the Gang Crime Unit, the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia, Police/Crown Liaison and the Planning, Research and Audit Section.  He has completed numerous policing courses at the Justice Institute of B.C. and elsewhere throughout his career.

Deputy 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.

As an inspector, he was the officer in charge of Patrol District Two. This includes responsibility for port and marine policing for the City of Vancouver, the largest port in Canada.  Prior to this, he was assigned to the Planning, Research and Audit Section.  He was extensively involved in the development of the VPD Strategic Plan 2004-2008 and managed a long-term review of policing operations at the VPD.  The Operational Review examined topical policing issues including the use of overtime, the civilianization of sworn positions, shared services with the City of Vancouver, and the deployment of Patrol, investigative and administrative police resources.  It resulted in improved departmental business practices and the addition of 194 police officers and 95 civilian staff positions since 2005.  This research has been posted on the Internet and has attracted interest from across North America and abroad.  Deputy Palmer has been invited to speak to other police agencies on the methodology and findings of this project.

Deputy Palmer has been the recipient of eight VPD commendations and is a former Police Officer of the Year.  In 2009, he was invested as a Member of the Order of Merit for the Police Forces by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada.