A familiar face is the new top cop in Delta.
Late Thursday afternoon (Nov. 21), the Delta Police Board announced that Deputy Chief Harjinder (Harj) Singh Sidhu is the new Chief Constable of the Delta Police Department (DPD).
Sidhu will assume leadership of the DPD on Nov. 25.
“I am deeply honoured and grateful to the Delta Police Board for placing their trust in me to lead this incredible organization as its next Chief — a place I’ve been privileged to call home for the past 31 years,” said Sidhu in a news release. “I am inspired daily by the dedication and professionalism of our people, and it is truly an honour to now lead such an exceptional team.
“As Chief, my focus will be on working collaboratively with the board, our officers, civilian staff and volunteers, community partners, and residents to ensure Delta remains one of the safest places to live, work, and play. Together, we will build on our strong foundation, strengthening trust, and building on our shared commitment to community safety and well-being.”
In making the announcement, the police board offered its thanks to interim Chief Guy Leeson for his leadership during the transition period.
An announcement regarding a change of command ceremony will be forthcoming.
“We are thrilled to announce Harj Sidhu as our new Chief,” said board chair Ian Tait. “With 31 years of dedicated service to our community and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Chief Sidhu brings a wealth of experience, institutional knowledge, and visionary leadership to this role.”
Sidhu’s appointment is the first internal appointment to Chief in 38 years and the first South Asian Chief for Delta, which Tait said reflects the strength of the department and the confidence in Sidhu’s ability to lead DPD into the future while continuing to foster trust, safety, and collaboration with the community.
Sidhu began his career in 1993 as a recruit constable.
Over the years, he has gained extensive experience across a wide range of policing roles.
As a constable, he served in the Patrol Division, Youth Section, and Investigations.
Rising through the ranks, he became a Sergeant leading the Drug/Special Projects Unit, and later served as a Staff Sergeant in both the Patrol Division and Investigative Services.
As an Inspector, Sidhu oversaw Investigative Support Services, the Operational Support Branch, and Special Projects.
In 2018, he was promoted to Superintendent of the Community Policing Bureau, where he led all uniformed operations for the DPD.
In 2021, he assumed the role of Deputy Chief of the Community Policing Bureau, a position he held until his promotion to Chief Constable.
Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to a community-first approach to policing, prioritizing community safety and well-being. He is actively involved in several external committees, including serving as Co-Chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Community Safety and Well-Being Committee, Co-Chair of the British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP) Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and Co-Chair of the BCACP Body Worn Cameras Special Committee.
His contributions to policing have been widely recognized, including awarding him with the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M.) in 2022.
The national search process was led by a third-party professional search firm (PFM Executive Search) to find the most suitable candidate following the retirement of Chief Neil Dubord in August.
According to the police board, the process attracted numerous highly-qualified candidates from across the country.
