We are proud to share that four members of the Vancouver Police Department have been nationally recognized for their outstanding contributions to community safety and well-being that go above and beyond their day-to-day policing roles.
VPD’s Lori Hemm, Sergeant Rita Raj, Sergeant Rob Dairon, and Sergeant Julie Gilmore were recently honoured by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police with the 2025 CACP/Motorola Solutions Community Safety and Well-Being Awards in recognition of their innovation, compassion, and dedication to making Vancouver safer and more inclusive.
Each of these members recognized a need in our city and, with funding from the Vancouver Police Foundation, created meaningful programs that address those challenges: Lori Hemm for the VPD’s Creating Accessibility Project (CAP), and Sergeants Rita Raj, Rob Dairon, and Julie Gilmore for their Scam Prevention for Seniors Program. We are incredibly proud to stand behind these initiatives, which demonstrate the impact of forward-thinking, community-driven policing.
Lori Hemm, Program Coordinator in VPD’s Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenous Relations Section, has led the VPD’s Creating Accessibility Project (CAP) for the past decade. Under the CAP umbrella, she has guided the development and execution of several key initiatives that remove barriers and foster connections with Vancouver’s diverse communities.
One of these is the NewKids program, a partnership with the Vancouver School Board that helps newcomer and refugee youth build meaningful relationships with VPD officers which eases their transition into the city by building confidence, assisting with language differences, and reducing risks associated with cultural barriers. NewKids has grown to be a powerful force for positive connection for Vancouver’s new and vulnerable teens, and the ripple effect has resulted in safer, more inclusive neighbourhoods citywide.
In addition to NewKids, and also under Lori’s leadership, CAP has expanded its reach to include English language learners as well as the deaf and hard of hearing communities. By introducing on-demand interpretation services, innovative accessibility technology – such as the new VPD Visual Aid Cards and Hearing Counter Loops, as well as specialized officer training, CAP has redefined what inclusive community policing looks like.
At the same time, Sergeants Rita Raj, Rob Dairon, and Julie Gilmore were presented with the 2025 CACP/Motorola Solutions Community Safety and Well-Being Team Award for the bold action they took to protect Vancouver’s seniors from sophisticated financial scams. Their Scam Prevention for Seniors program, launched in 2023, has already reached more than 1,200 seniors through workshops, education, and community engagement.
In the two years since the Scam Prevention for Seniors Program launched, there has been a remarkable 74% decrease in “grandparent scam” losses across Vancouver. This equates to a total financial loss of $704,408 in 2022, which dropped to $156,900 in 2023, and the most recent report from mid-2024 recorded losses of just $45,250—clearly demonstrating the program’s success in safeguarding one of our city’s most vulnerable populations.
“What began as a small, grassroots effort quickly grew into a trusted and in-demand program, thanks to the passion, dedication, and compassion of the team behind it,” explains VPD Chief Constable Steve Rai. “Through presentations offered in multiple languages, strong partnerships with local communities, and creative public engagement, the team has built lasting relationships and empowered thousands of seniors to recognize fraud, protect themselves, and report scams. It truly exemplifies the best of community policing.”
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Vancouver Police Foundation is very proud to help fund both CAP and the Scam Prevention for Seniors Program. Thousands of vulnerable individuals across the city have directly benefited from these initiatives. Please join us in congratulating Lori, Rita, Rob, and Julie on this incredible and well-deserved national recognition for their hard work in helping make Vancouver a safer city for all.
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
