(Ret.) Chief Bob Rich

Bob joined the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in 1980, where he worked for 28 years.

During his time at the VPD, he held a number of positions, including:

• Detective
• Professional Standards Investigator
• Patrol sergeant in the Downtown Eastside
• Surveillance team Sergeant in the Downtown Eastside
• President of the Vancouver Police Union
• Head of Training and Recruiting
• Head of Human Resources
• Commander of District 2, which includes the Downtown Eastside
• Deputy Chief of Operations

In 2008, Bob left the VPD to become the Chief Constable of the Abbotsford Police Department (APD), a position he held until 2018. During his time at APD, much of his work focused on suppressing gang violence and supporting member’s mental health.

During his time in leadership positions, he has focused on change management to improve policing procedures, prevent crime, and increase safety for the community.

From 2021 to 2024, he worked as an associate counsel at the law firm of Wilson Butcher, helping to defend police officers from both criminal and disciplinary allegations. Currently, he is doing consulting work for police agencies and other organizations.

Bob also teaches workshops on police leadership and preventing mental health disorders caused by the work first responders do. In 2025, he launched a free website devoted to that topic which can be found at: bobrich.ca

He has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Merit for the Police Forces in Canada (O.O.M.).