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Introducing Cst. Kirk Rattray, MVTP Indigenous Liaison Officer

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This month, Metro Vancouver Transit Police was proud to welcome Constable Kirk Rattray into the newly created role of Indigenous Liaison Officer. Cst. Rattray moved into the role after serving four years as the Neighbourhood Police Officer for East Vancouver and the North Shore, and over a year in patrol prior to that.

Creating the position of Indigenous Liaison Officer has been a priority for Metro Vancouver Transit Police for a number of years. We are indebted to the Indigenous groups who offered their wisdom to us, and to reports such as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, which have been invaluable sources of guidance for our department. It is our hope that the position will bring collaboration and understanding that will help guide our department toward better serving the Indigenous community.

Cst. Rattray is a natural fit for this pivotal role. He has a long history of drawing on his Tahltan First Nation heritage to build trust and partnerships between Indigenous communities and police. Prior to joining Transit Police in late 2014, Cst. Rattray served with the Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Service for nearly four years, and the Winnipeg Police Service for 16 years before that.

While serving with Transit Police, Cst. Rattray has worked closely with the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre, where he serves as a board director, and the VPD Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section. He takes part in the annual Pulling Together Canoe Journey, educates police recruits on Indigenous issues at the Justice Institute of BC, and provides cultural awareness training for our department.

Thanks to Cst. Rattray’s tireless work, plans are in the works to launch the Blue Eagle Community Youth Cadet project at Metro Vancouver Transit Police in partnership with the VPD and the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Center. Under his leadership, the program will serve to empower Indigenous youth aged 13-15 by offering mentorship, building leadership skills, and supporting them as they discover their potential. . Cst. Rattray has experience in this area, having created a youth cadet program while working with Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police.

“I am honoured to represent the Metro Vancouver Transit Police as the First Indigenous Liaison Officer. I look forward to, not only improving current relationships that have been built in the Indigenous community in Vancouver, but I also look forward to developing new partnerships in the diverse Indigenous communities of the Metro Vancouver region.” – Cst. Kirk Rattray

“I have known Kirk since he was working with Indigenous peoples during the 2010 Olympics. I can honestly say he is a man of great and gentle character who is humble and honest, and I am proud to call him a dear friend. I am so honored and proud to announce Kirk as the first full time Indigenous Liaison officer for the Metro Vancouver Transit Police.” – Sgt. Cheryl Simpkin, Community Engagement Team

To welcome Constable Rattray into his new role, Transit Police hosted a traditional smudging and cleansing ceremony. Our Senior Management Team was proud to participate with honoured guests that included Chief Rhonda Larrabee of the Qayqayt First Nation who welcomed us to her ancestral land, and Norm Leech of the Stl’al’imc First Nation who performed the ceremony.

Statement regarding the death of George Floyd from Chief Officer Dave Jones and the Metro Vancouver Transit Police Board

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Metro Vancouver Transit Police is deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd and have been listening closely to the grief and dialogue prompted by the disturbing circumstances that led to his death. We believe that the officers involved must be held accountable, knowing that no police agency would tolerate such racism in their ranks.

Sadly, Canada is not immune to racism; our history has too many examples of racist policies that have entrenched systemic inequality throughout our society. We know that racism continues to have major and detrimental impacts on the community we serve. As a police agency, we must continue to educate ourselves on issues of systemic racism in order to ensure we meet our duty to protect all the people of our community, and do so with empathy, compassion and a constant willingness to listen to calls for change.

As the police agency for the transit system in Metro Vancouver, we serve a community that includes many members who are vulnerable. We are here to serve everyone to the best of our ability and that is not a responsibility we take lightly. Our officers’ training includes ensuring they understand bias, support diversity and can employ de-escalation techniques where necessary.  We will continue to improve our training, and adjust our policies and practices to ensure we remain responsive to the community we serve. 

We have made many adjustments since our inception in 2005, from moving to a community-based deployment model and creating community engagement teams to launching a texting service that allows passengers to discreetly report if they feel unsafe and increasing our outreach to vulnerable people.  Transit Police also receives regular feedback and insights through our Chief’s Community Council. This group acts in an advisory capacity to Transit Police’s Executive Team in order to promote dialogue and collaboration. It consists of representatives from a broad cross section of the transit community. 

We recognize we need to do more. Beyond being police officers and support staff, our employees are members of our shared community. We are mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who want the community we live in to be free from racism and hate, and built on equity and fairness. We pledge to continue to work with our community partners, listen closely to the dialogue occurring and educate our own officers and staff on how to better serve you. Your letters, your online messages, your texts and your voices are being heard. If you have feedback, we are listening.