"I'm proud to be the first South Asian senior officer to become the president of the BC Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police (BCAMCP)," Rai told DESIBUZZCanada Thursday. "I accept the role with respect and great purpose as there are many public safety demands our communities are grappling with."

By R. Paul Dhillon

VANCOUVER – Decorated and respected Vancouver Deputy police chief Steve Rai was appointed President of Municipal Chiefs Of Police this week, a great honour for Rai and the Punjab-South Asian community.

"I'm proud to be the first South Asian senior officer to become the president of the BC Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police (BCAMCP)," Rai told DESIBUZZCanada Thursday. "I accept the role with respect and great purpose as there are many public safety demands our communities are grappling with."

Rai said that the British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police (BCAMCP) represents all municipal police departments and their communities.

The membership list includes the Vancouver Police Department, Victoria, New Westminister, Abbotsford, West Vancouver, Port Moody, Delta, Nelson, Oak Bay, Saanich, Central Saanich, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and the First Nations Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police.

The Association has ownership of law and order issues for some of the most highly populated BC jurisdictions. The BCAMCP coordinates and works together in response to emerging law and order issues in our urban areas.

The BCAMCP police chiefs are responsible for policing some of our largest cities. Collectively, we'll continue to ensure our strategies and resources are focused on common solutions. And, when necessary, our Association will be strong advocates for legislative changes on behalf of our citizens.

"Crime-fighting has evolved in today's policing world, where tackling social issues is as much a part of law enforcement as chasing down criminals. The BCAMCP understands this and strives to meet the challenges on behalf of our communities," Rai said.