Pubdate: Sun, 25 Jan 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Sam Cooper
Page: A16

POLITICS BECKONS FOR RETIRING CHIEF CHU

Speculation underway over future of progressive Vancouver police boss
and his possible successor

After Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu announced a surprising early
retirement Friday, speculation immediately turned to his potential as
a star political candidate and who would succeed him as chief.

Chu is only in his mid-50s, so by passing up about $600,000 remaining
in his 10-year contract, it's pretty safe to assume he has a second
career in mind.

Chu didn't discourage speculation at a news conference Friday when
reporters pressed him on rumours he is being sought by either the
federal Conservatives or Liberals to run in the 2015 election.

"I have had many political approaches over the years," he said. "I
will keep saying (no comment) until I'm not chief here anymore."

Chu said he plans to continue in his role until spring while
Vancouver's police board conducts a national search for his
replacement.

Both the Conservatives and Liberals are looking for candidates in
several key Vancouver ridings, with an election set for October.

Chu has no open political allegiances and would bring an appealing
personal narrative to any national party. He holds several business
degrees and is a trailblazer as the first Chinese-Canadian chief of a
major Canadian police force.

SFU criminology professors Neil Boyd and Rob Gordon pointed to Chu's
progressive credentials and nuanced approach to drug enforcement policy.

"He brought all the hallmarks of a progressive police chief, and he
seemed like a small-'l' liberal to me," Gordon said. "He was not
afraid to bring about change."

"With the rumour that he might run for the Conservatives,
philosophically they are very different on crime, and I'm not sure he
would be a good fit," Boyd said. "But I can also imagine the Harper
Conservatives would say that their tough-on-crime stance might be
alienating some voter groups, and having Chu would strengthen them in
urban ridings in Vancouver, in Toronto, Montreal."

While Chuis progressive compared to some police chiefs, it might be a
stretch for him to stomach Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's pot
legalization policy, Boyd said.

"Chu seems to bridge Trudeau and Harper on drug policy. I think he
would bring a lot to any party."

On Friday, Chu suggested he hopes one of his deputies is chosen to
lead the VPD.

He said that his innovation on the force was cultivating a team of
decision-makers, and listening to their views before moving
strategically.

In separate interviews, Boyd and Gordon said a chief in Vancouver
probably needs to understand the progressive culture of the city and
the policing that has evolved there.

If the police board chooses a new leader from within Chu's executive
ranks, the person best positioned to take over is Deputy Chief Doug
LePard, Boyd and Gordon both said.

"Chu and LePard are both progressive police leaders," Gordon said.
"They do seem to be in tune and I think that Doug has done a lot of
difficult work for Jim Chu.

"I'd put my money on LePard."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt