FRIDAY
January 30 2015 Vol. 106 No. 08
OPINION 9
Transparent transit tax PACIFIC SPIRIT 12
Peace and prayer ENTERTAINMENT 20
Exotic Junk Food Review There’s more online at
vancourier.com WEEKEND EDITION
THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908
Search for city’s next police chief begins Former mayor suggests a civilian could be next leader
Mike Howell
mhowell@vancourier.com
With Police Chief Jim Chu set to retire this spring, the man who had a hand in hiring him in 2007 outlined the options for the Vancouver Police Board to consider in its search for a new chief, including the possibility of hiring a non-cop to lead the department. Former mayor Sam Sullivan, who is now the Liberal MLA for Vancouver-False Creek, pointed to the RCMP’s decision in 2007 to hire career bureaucrat William Elliott as commissioner of the national force. “There’s great advantages to that and great disadvantages, as well, because you
might not get the buy-in from officers,” said Sullivan, who was mayor from 2005 to 2008 and doubled as chairperson of the police board. “So it can be done.” Elliott was hired during a time of instability and low morale, and brought in by the Harper government to shake up what critics argued was an insular organization that needed an outside look. Elliott lasted four years before being replaced by Bob Paulson, a longtime RCMP officer who also served almost seven years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Sullivan acknowledged the VPD isn’t in the same state as the RCMP, with Chu and his predecessor, Jamie Graham, bringing stability and a public profile to a department that has seen a succession of chiefs, including Bruce Chambers and Terry Blythe, whom former mayor Philip Owen
once described as “behind the scenes guys.” “The citizens want to have someone who is ultimately accountable and want the chief to have a decent public profile and to make statements and weigh in on what citizens are concerned about,” said Sullivan, who praised Chu for his leadership within the VPD and the work he did in the community, particularly in his efforts to listen to divergent groups that had issues with police. “It really is a challenging job where you’re juggling so many different interests and opinions and you’ve somehow got to bring everybody together — and Jim Chu did that. He’s been an outstanding police chief. He was one of our best hires.” At a news conference last Friday to announce his retirement, the 55-year-old Chu made it clear that he wanted his successor to come from within the depart-
ment, saying it would be a shame for “those talented senior executives” not to get an opportunity to lead the VPD. Deputy Chief Doug LePard has said he’s considering applying for the job while deputy chiefs Adam Palmer and Warren Lemcke haven’t commented on speculation they will compete for the vacancy. The VPD’s highest ranking female officer is Supt. Michelle Davey but it’s unclear whether she will enter the race. “The Vancouver police force does have some excellent people,” Sullivan said. “It’s a tribute to Jamie Graham and Jim Chu for cultivating excellence. So they don’t necessarily have to look too far.” Added Sullivan: “But there is also an advantage to hiring [an officer] from outside to bring a whole new way of looking at things. Continued on page 4
Hands-on with science
Templeton’s STEM program blends learning with practical skills Cheryl Rossi
crossi@vancourier.com
Three roving vehicles controlled through Wi-Fi and designed and constructed by senior Templeton secondary students were set to wow visitors to the new STEM program’s demonstration Thursday morning. Three teams of Grades 11 and 12 students learned drafting software, designed their MARS rovers, built chassis, created custom cases for their circuit boards, used 3D printers to make holders for their computer chips, learned the physics they need to make their vehicles work and programmed computers so they could control their webcam-mounted rovers from afar. STEM, which started for senior students at Templeton in September, blends science, technology, engineering and math. STEM teaches students practical design and fabrication skills to explore concepts and theories through hands-on, projectbased learning in the four-course program. Continued on page 7
FOOTIE FIRST Ben McKendry (left), became the first Vancouver residency player to sign a professional MLS contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Read more page 23. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
DYSLEXIA DIDN’T STOP ALBERT. We don’t let dyslexia or language-related learning disabilities affect our students, either. They learn differently, and we offer them an education in a setting where they can thrive. See for yourself at the Fraser Academy Open House: Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:30-11:15am. For more info or to RSVP, visit www.fraseracademy.ca or call 604 736 5575. © Estate of Yousuf Karsh