VPD Deputy Chief Doug LePard moving to Transit Police after 35 years

Vancouver Police Department’s Deputy Chief Doug LePard is leaving the force to become Chief of Metro Vancouver Transit Police.

The long-time VPD member LePard has been with the service since 1981 and is currently in charge of the Department’s Investigation Division, but his move to Transit Police will put an end to his 35-year career with VPD.

“Deputy Chief Doug LePard is one of the brightest and most accomplished police officers I have ever known” says VPD Chief Adam Palmer. “He has left an indelible mark on the VPD and has provided outstanding service to our city over the past 35 years. The Metro Vancouver Transit Police are very fortunate to have hired someone of such high caliber. I wish him all the best and look forward to working with him in his new capacity.”

LePard is most noted for his work establishing and commanding the VPD’s Domestic Violence & Criminal Harassment Unit in 1996 and has authored several articles and book chapters on assessing risk in stalking cases, preventing wrongful convictions, serial killer investigations, managing change in police organizations, and more. He was also the officer in charge of reviewing the Missing Women/Robert Pickton serial murder investigation in 2010.

He has also been awarded an Attorney General’s award, a Lieutenant Governor’s award, a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and was made Officer of the Order of Merit for the Police Forces by the Governor General of Canada.

“I am proud of my 35-year career in the VPD, where I leave many valued friends and colleagues” says Deputy LePard. “I feel extremely privileged to have been selected as the new Chief Officer of the Transit Police, and to continue the superb work done by former Chief Officer Dubord and Acting Chief Kross. I am excited about this opportunity to bring all that I have learned about leadership in policing to a progressive police agency, and together with TransLink provide safety to all those who use the transit system.”