Len Goerke, the current Deputy Chief Constable of the Abbotsford Police Department, will soon become West Vancouver’s new police chief. Scheduled to take charge on August 5, 2014, the announcement comes months after the District announced the retirement of current police chief Peter Lepine back in February.
Recent news articles have alleged that there has been a “management crisis” of sorts within the department with Mayor Michael Smith even weighing in with comments. Mayor Smith has been quoted in The Province newspaper saying that “serious concerns need to be addressed” so that “there is absolutely no hint of harassment or sexual bullying or inappropriate behaviour by supervisors.”
The District maintains that current chief Peter Lepine’s retirement is not connected to these allegations.
Incoming chief Goerke has a long list of associations with various governing bodies and holds both a BA and MA in Arts. He was also awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
A press release received from the District of West Vancouver has been included below.
– – – – –
After a comprehensive and thorough search, the Chair of the West Vancouver Police Department’s (WVPD) Board of Directors, Mayor Michael Smith, announced today that Len Goerke, currently the Deputy Chief Constable of the Abbotsford Police Department, has been appointed as the incoming Chief Constable for West Vancouver. Mr. Georke will officially begin his duties in West Vancouver on August 5, 2014, but in preparation, will begin immediately transitioning into his new role.
“I am pleased to announce that Len Goerke has been appointed as the new Chief Constable,” said Michael Smith, West Vancouver Mayor and WVPD Board Chair. “I have no doubt that with his many years of experience, West Vancouver will continue to be one of the safest communities in the province, and that under Len’s leadership, we will continue to attract and retain the top policing talent.”
Mr. Goerke has been with the Abbotsford Police Department since 1987, when it was the Matsqui Police force, and as the Deputy Chief Constable, he is currently responsible for the Administration Division, which is comprised of Human Resources, Finance and Budget, Support Services and Professional Standards. Throughout his career, he has worked in all areas of the police department, from patrol, to leading emergency response teams, to overseeing the criminal investigations branch. In addition to his work as the Deputy Chief Constable, Mr. Goerke is part of the faculty at the University of the Fraser Valley’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
“For more than a century the West Vancouver Police Department has worked to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of West Vancouver. I am excited to begin working with my new colleagues to build on the many strengths of the WVPD,” said Len Goerke, West Vancouver’s incoming Chief Constable. “It is a privilege to be entrusted by the West Vancouver Police Board to lead the Department.”
Mr. Goerke currently also serves as the President of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, and is the Labour Relations Committee Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the BC Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Mr. Goerke holds a Liberal Arts Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Fraser Valley, as well as a Master of Arts from Royal Roads University. He is currently completing the Executive Program at the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School of Business. He was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
The West Vancouver Police Department was founded in 1912 and through innovation and policing excellence, is committed to community engagement and crime reduction in cooperation with our partners. Its core values are respect, collaboration, integrity, professionalism and accountability.
