VPD Chief Adam Palmer will be retiring from the force after serving for nearly 10 years.
Palmer took command of the Vancouver Police Department in May 2015, becoming the 31st chief constable of the municipal force.
The news was confirmed by the Vancouver Police Board, which stated that Palmer’s “remarkable tenure with the Vancouver Police Department is one of dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to public safety.”
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“As Chief Palmer steps away from his role, his absence will undoubtedly be felt by the entire department and the city he has served so passionately. While we will miss his steady leadership, we know he will bring this same passion and dedication to his next endeavour,” said Police Board Chair Frank Chong.
During Palmer’s time as VPD chief, the city saw spikes in violent crime and a challenging situation during COVID-19, which led to a rise in retail thefts in the downtown core, forcing many businesses to board up their windows.
Speaking about violent crime more recently following a gruesome attack near Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Palmer suggested that crime rates were going down and that Vancouver residents “live in a safe city.”
“Total crime in Vancouver is down 7.4%. Violent crime in Vancouver is down 7%. Property crime in Vancouver is down 10.3%. Unprovoked stranger assaults are almost half what they used to be,” he said at a September 2024 media briefing.
During that conference, he made a statement that caught many folks’ attention when he said, “Vancouver is not dying.”
Vancouver Is Dying was the name of a popular but highly politicized documentary.
In 2023, Daily Hive reported Palmer was earning more than any other Canadian police chief.
The timing of the retirement news is notable. Last week, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim announced a new task force to combat crime in the Downtown Eastside.
“The status quo in the Downtown Eastside isn’t working,” Sim said in a news release.
“Organized crime, drug trafficking, and repeat offenders are preying on the most vulnerable, while everyday Vancouverites continue to see the impacts of crime.”
Looking ahead, the police board had this to say about the future VPD chief:
“In preparation for this transition, the Board has engaged an executive search firm as part of the recruitment of the next leader who will build upon Chief Palmer’s legacy and guide the Vancouver Police Department into the future.”
We have contacted the VPD for comment.