Police Chief Bob Rich has had his contract extended for another three years, the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) announced Monday.
The contract runs until December 2018.
“The Abbotsford Police Department is one of the finest departments in Canada. I am honoured to be asked to continue leading the men and women who are working to keep Abbotsford safe. I appreciate the police board’s continued support of both myself and the entire APD," Rich said.
Mayor Henry Braun commended Rich for his "unwavering leadership, his commitment and attention to making Abbotsford the safest city in B.C."
" …. his solid character and ethics is a significant contribution to our department and our city. His ongoing service is appreciated and we look forward to working together to make our city a safer community,” Braun added.
Rich became chief of the APD in July 2008, when he signed a five-year contract which was extended in 2011 to December 2015.
Rich started his policing career in July 1980 with the Vancouver Police Department and rose to the position of deputy chief constable of the operations division, which is responsible for patrol, traffic, community policing and property crime investigations.
Rich, who also has a law degree, was then recruited by the APD to take the chief's position in Abbotsford.
Rich's past awards have included the Exemplary Service Medal, the Queen's Jubilee Medal and an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.