Vancouver police Deputy Chief Jim Chu has been named the city's new chief constable.

Incoming Vancouver police chief Jim Chu is a 28-year veteran of the force, and was one of just three Chinese-Canadian officers when he enlisted in 1979.
(CBC)

Chu will replace the current chief, Jamie Graham, who is stepping down in August after five years on the job.

The 47-year-old Chu beat out five other contenders for the top job.

The father of four — who will become Vancouver's first top cop of Asian descent — emigrated from China with his family when he was three years old.  

He joined the police department in 1979. At the time, he was one of just three Chinese-Canadian officers on the job.

Chu said he joined the VPD to be a police officer and that his Chinese heritage always came second.

"It's always been important for me to be a police officer first. That said, when I go to Chinatown dinners they do like to see me."

Chu was promoted to inspector in 1997 and became deputy chief in 2003.

Chu has a reputation on the force as an administrator who got the department's finances under control.

He was asked on Thursday about his style of leadership, and how he'll inspire rank-and-file officers.

"One of the early things I will be doing is meeting with as many groups of people and individuals as I can. And the purpose of that is to get their ideas, but also to ask them how we can work better as a team in the Vancouver Police Department.

"So getting that early input and doing that consultation will be very important for me." 

'Very positive for the community'

Rick Lam of the Chinatown Revitalization Committee applauds Chu's appointment as chief constable.
 
"Well, I think it's very positive for the community, not just because he's Chinese. I mean, I think he got the job on his abilities, because I've always found Jim to be very personable and very articulate.

"So I think he will do a very good job."

Lam hopes Chu will increase the dialogue between the police force and the city's Chinese community.

Dave Jones, a retired police inspector and the director of crime prevention services for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, agreed that Chu is a good choice.

He also told CBC Radio's The Early Edition how Chu will be different from Graham.

"We will find that he is less spontaneous and more cautious about what he says. He'll make sure that when he makes decisions, he's put a lot of care and thought into it, and make sure that he has support for the way the organization is going."