The Delta police have promoted within and looked outside the organization in naming two new deputy police chiefs for the department.
On Friday morning, DPD announced that current DPD Supt. Harj Sidhu is being promoted to Deputy Chief – Operations, and Supt. Michelle Davey, currently with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), will be taking on the role of Deputy Chief – Administration.
“The Police Board was extremely pleased to approve the appointment of both of these well-regarded and highly qualified policing leaders,” said Mayor George Harvie, Chair of the Delta Police Board. “This is also a milestone for the Delta Police Department. Supt. Sidhu will be the department’s first South Asian Deputy Police Chief, while Supt. Davey is the first woman to be named to Deputy Chief here in Delta.”
The appointments were necessitated by the recent departure of deputy Chief Norm Lipinski who was named the inaugural Chief of the new Surrey Police Force.
Sidhu is currently responsible for frontline policing within the DPD. Some of the highlights from his career include, the development and implementation of the DPD’s current service delivery model, the Delta Service Enhancement Plan, as well as creating a computer software system that allows officers to account for their proactive activities. His work in this area has had a number of successes, including a 25 per cent reduction in property crime offences, and has prompted ongoing interest from other police agencies.
Sidhu was also instrumental in introducing Business Intelligence Systems that supports evidence based decision making throughout the organization.
He was the primary investigator on the high profile Panghali homicide investigation, which led to a successful prosecution in a challenging case where the investigators had to rely on circumstantial evidence.
“Supt. Sidhu has spent his 27-year policing career with the DPD, and is highly respected by his peers for being an approachable and inclusive leader,” said Chief Neil Dubord. “He has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaborating with the community and stakeholders in problem solving issues.
When Sidhu isn’t at work he enjoys being on the soccer pitch with his daughters, and also living a simpler life on the family’s blueberry farm.
“I am proud to be selected as the first Deputy Chief from a diverse background,” says Sidhu. “I’m also excited about the opportunity to work alongside the exemplary women and men of this department. My goal is to continue to serve the citizens of Delta by providing a community centered policing approach that focuses on building safe and healthy communities.”
Davey was drawn to Delta because of its reputation as a tight- knit community; one that is very committed to its police department.
Davey has 24 years’ experience with the VPD, and is currently responsible for Support Services in the Investigations Division. She is a recognized subject matter expert in mental health issues, and has built innovative partnerships to help ensure those experiencing mental health challenges are not criminalized.
She has a strong background in administration, having developed the 2017-2021 VPD Strategic Plan, and establishing many consultative processes with staff. She also oversaw changes to the VPD Compstat, making it more productive and efficient, and initiated a new Cybercrime Unit.
“I am very enthusiastic about working in a smaller community,” said Davey. “I believe I will have a lot of opportunities to create great relationships and community partnerships in Delta, and I’m looking forward to the chance to make a truly meaningful impact here.”
Davey has a pre-teen daughter, and enjoys hiking with her partner and her partner’s children, road cycling and paddle boarding.
“Supt. Davey is well-known for championing the role of women in policing, and played a key role in the creation of the BC Women in Law Enforcement Association,” added Dubord. “I’m delighted that she brings this passion and of course considerable experience to the Delta Police Department.”
