Steve Rai

Chief constable for the Vancouver Police Department

Chief Constable Steve Rai was appointed as the 32nd Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) on May 22, 2025. Born in Punjab, India, and raised in Vancouver, Chief Rai brings over 3 decades of policing experience and a deep commitment to public service and community engagement.

Before joining the VPD, Chief Rai served in the Canadian Forces Reserves and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia. He later completed a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of the Fraser Valley. Throughout his career, he has pursued extensive professional development, including executive leadership programs at the FBI National Executive Institute, Harvard Business School, and the US State Department’s International Leadership Development Program.

Chief Rai began his VPD career in 1990, serving as a frontline patrol officer in District 3 for 8 years. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has held a wide range of operational and leadership roles, including assignments in Recruiting, Community Policing, Emergency Response, and Human Resources. Chief Rai has served as a frontline patrol supervisor and duty officer across all four districts and has also held the position of District 3 Commander for South Vancouver. His specialized experience includes working as part of the Forensic Interview Team and serving as a Crisis Negotiator.

Chief Rai has taken on critical leadership responsibilities as Incident Commander during major events such as the 2011 Stanley Cup Riot and the Occupy Vancouver movement, ensuring public safety during high-pressure and high-profile situations. Promoted through the ranks, Chief Rai joined the VPD Senior Leadership Team in 2007 and became Deputy Chief Constable in 2015. In this role, he led numerous strategic initiatives, including the department’s COVID-19 response, the 2023 Deployment Plan, and the implementation of Enterprise Risk Management. He also championed diversity in recruiting, employee wellness programs, and technological innovation within the department.

Beyond his work with the VPD, Chief Rai has contributed to national policing initiatives through his involvement with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. 

Chief Rai was appointed as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in 2016.