THE Vancouver Police Department has added a new superintendent to the executive leadership team. Twenty-year member Fiona Wilson has been promoted from inspector to superintendent.
“Fiona is a strong, well-respected leader who has extensive experience in investigations and in operations,” says Vancouver Police Chief Constable Adam Palmer. “Throughout her career, she has built great relationships with other VPD members, the community, and our partners in public safety.”
As a constable, Wilson worked in patrol and the Sex Crimes Unit. In the early 2000s, she worked on two major projects that successfully disrupted regional organized crime groups. In 2007, she authored a report, called Lost in Transition, that highlighted the lack of mental health care for the most vulnerable people in Vancouver. She presented on her findings to audiences across Canada and in Asia.
“I’m proud to be a member of the VPD and serve the people of Vancouver,” says Wilson. “I feel honoured and privileged to join such a progressive and forward-thinking leadership team and am excited about the work we have ahead of us.”
As a sergeant, Wilson led teams in the VPD’s Operations division and the Major Crimes Section. She was seconded to the RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit in 2013 where was in charge of an international drug investigation. She was promoted to staff sergeant in 2016 and inspector in 2017.
The VPD held an internal superintendent competition after Superintendent Mike Porteous, a 35-year member, announced his retirement late last year.
Wilson has received five VPD commendations and several other awards from external agencies. She holds bachelor and master of arts degrees in criminology from Simon Fraser University.
Her first assignment as a Superintendent will be to represent the VPD on a secondment as a Deputy Chief Officer with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-BC.