Strength In Diversity

Engaging Top Talent For Public Service

Chief Jim Chu was named the first non-white chief constable in Vancouver. He has been chief since 2007 and has seen the city through tough times, most recently the Occupy protests and Stanley Cup riots. Chu grew up in Vancouver’s east side after migrating from Shanghai. After high school, Chu joined the police department while earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University and an MBA from UBC. Chief Chu is also a graduate of the FBI Advanced SWAT course.

The 34-year veteran’s experiences include patrol constable, corporal and detective. Chu was promoted to deputy chief in 2003. Chu has also been invested by the Governor General as an Officer of the Order of Merit of Police Service. In 2011, he was named one of 25 “Transformational Canadians” by the Globe and Mail. As a product of the Vancouver Public Schools, Chu spends much time stressing the importance of education to the youth in Vancouver. Chu stated the importance of literacy and education, noting that 8 out of every 10 people in prison have not completed school.

Chief  Devon Clunis, the Jamaican native applied to the Winnipeg Police Service 26 years ago in search of an opportunity. The opportunity to deter the stereotypes associated with police cruiser backseats being meant for blacks. On November 2, 2012 history was made. Devon Clunis was named the Chief of Police for the Winnipeg PoliceDepartment, the first Black police chief in Canada’s history. Chief Clunis’ story is of humility.

Despite his new appointment, Clunis remains dedicated to the service. He has done and gone wherever asked of him, resulting in experience in traffic patrol, community relations, plainclothes investigation, uniform patrol and most recently superintendent, to name a few. Clunis, from day one of his new post stated that getting to the social reasons for crime is as important as fighting crime itself. In his acceptance speech after being sworn in, the new chief said social causes such as poverty, and lack of education are important to root out crime. “These aren’t traditional police issues, but we must become a catalyst for change.”