Vancouver Police chief to retire at end of April after 10 years at the helm
Posted February 18, 2025 6:53 am.
Last Updated February 18, 2025 12:00 pm.
The chief of the Vancouver Police Department is stepping down at the end of April.
Chief Const. Adam Palmer made the announcement on Tuesday, flanked by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.
“As a kid who always wanted to be a cop, I’ve served my entire 37-plus year career as a member of the Vancouver Police Department, starting in my early 20s as a patrol officer in East Vancouver, and working through a number of interesting and challenging assignments in all three divisions along the way,” Palmer stated.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“It’s been a privilege, an honour, and a truly humbling experience to serve the people of Vancouver as the 31st Chief Constable of the VPD for the past 10 years,” he added.
Palmer shared that he’s worked with the “finest people” he’s ever met — “The exceptional men and women of the VPD, our sworn officers, and civilian professionals are everyday heroes and special people who give so much of themselves to help others in times of danger and crisis, and to help people, often on the worst day of their lives.”
“Their exceptional service does not come without personal sacrifice and family sacrifice, and I couldn’t be prouder of our VPD members, and I thank them for their service — from the bottom of my heart,” Palmer said.
A career full of ups and downs, “various crises,” and challenges, Palmer explained that his service has been incredibly rewarding. “I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, without thinking twice.”
“I’ll always be proud to say that I served my career as a member of the Vancouver Police Department.”
Palmer said during his tenure, he’s seen a decrease in crime across the city.
“We all saw the crime numbers that were put out recently, that violent crime last year down 6.8 per cent, property crime down 9.2 per cent, total crime down seven per cent, and the CSI has gone down in double digits since I became chief in 2015,” he stated.
Palmer pointed to his relationships with the Vancouver community, namely his relationship with the mayor, the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Police Board as sources of support.
“I want to thank Ken Sim for his unwavering support and leadership, for focusing the City of Vancouver back on public safety and bringing common sense back to City Hall,” he said. “I want to thank Frank Chong, the chair of the Vancouver Police Board, for his leadership on the board and also the entire Vancouver Police Board for their strong support during some challenging times. The relationship with the Vancouver Police Union … I thank President Ralph Kaisers for being here, and our union that represents the rank and file sworn officers of the Vancouver Police Department.”
“I’m 100 per cent at peace with my decision, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life. Or, as I often say, once I figure out what I want to do when I grow up.”
Palmer teased that what comes next is already in the works, saying, “I will be doing something else after I retire from policing, but I’m not telling you today what that is. You’ll have to stay tuned.”
Palmer is one of the best leaders I’ve ever seen: Vancouver mayor
Before speaking on Palmer’s accomplishments, Vancouver’s mayor began by recalling what was happening in the world when Palmer first joined the Vancouver Police Department in 1987.
“Walk Like an Egyptian was the number one song on the planet. Brian Mulroney was the prime minister. Glenn Clark was the premier, and Gordon Campbell was the mayor of Vancouver,” Sim said.
“Starbucks had just opened its first location outside of the United States, right by the SkyTrain and Sea Bus terminal. You could buy a home, a detached home, City of Vancouver, for under $200,000. And a young man rocking a crew cut named Adam Palmer joined the VPD.”
While stressing that the VPD is “bigger than any one person,” Sim said that it took the leadership of Palmer to get the department to where it is today.
“I want to say thank you. Like I’ve said, I’ve toured over 2,000 organizations. I’ve seen tens of thousands of leaders. Bar none, and I don’t want to make you blush here, but Adam is one of the best leaders I’ve ever had the privilege to see in action and work side by side with,” Sim stated.
“Adam is a no bullshit, tell it as it is, get her done kind of a leader. More impressively, Adam is a servant leader.”
In a candid expression of gratitude, Sim explained the saying that the person you become largely depends on the books you read, the food you eat, and the people you spend time with.
“I don’t know what books you read or what habits you have or what food you eat, but I can tell you, hanging out with you, but also the conversations that we’ve been engaged in, I know I’ve become a better version of myself through that, and I know all the members of the VPD can say the same thing,” Sim stated.
“You’re a role model, a mentor, a teammate, and a friend, and thanks for being nice to the new kid when I got elected. Thanks for being awesome. Thanks for taking care of every single person that lives, works, or visits Vancouver.”
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