Police union president among ABC’s candidates in Vancouver byelection

Vancouver city council is short two councillors, and Mayor Ken Sim's ABC party is trying to snap them up in an upcoming byelection.

The president of the Vancouver Police Union is one of the two byelection candidates running under Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC party.

Sgt. Ralph Kaisers will campaign alongside Jamie Stein, who briefly ran with B.C. United in last year’s provincial election before his party withdrew from the race.

“I couldn’t be more excited and more optimistic and more honoured as we launch two incredible individuals in this byelection journey,” Sim said Thursday while announcing their candidacies.

Both men cited improving public safety as their top priority for Vancouver.

“Public safety is not just about enforcement, it’s about prevention, compassion and building a city where everyone can thrive,” said Kaisers, a 34-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department.

“It’s about ensuring that our first responders have the resources they need, that our communities are supported, and that we take action.”

‘Justice for Myles Gray’

At one point during the news conference, Kaisers was interrupted by a shout of “Justice for Myles Gray,” the man who was killed during a violent encounter with Vancouver police back in 2015.

Four of the officers involved claimed they were instructed by the Vancouver Police Union not to take notes about what happened, as they are normally required to do under department policy.

Kaisers did not become union president until 2019, though one of the officers alleged he was present at that meeting – something he denied when asked about the scandal on Thursday.

“The funny thing is, I was actually not present that day at that incident and did not instruct any of our members as to what they should or should not do,” Kaisers said.

A public hearing into the officers’ conduct was announced by B.C.’s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner in December, but no dates have been set.

“If I am called as a witness and I am subpoenaed, I obviously will be attending to provide my evidence,” Kaisers said.

Controversial endorsement

Under Kaisers’ presidency, the VPU endorsed Sim for mayor back in 2022, citing his promise to hire 100 additional police officers.

It was the first political endorsement in the union’s history, and drew some controversy.

Since ABC formed government that year, with former police spokesperson Brian Montague among the elected councillors, the city has increased its annual policing budget from $367 million to $453 million.

Asked whether he believes the Vancouver Police Department now has adequate funding, Kaisers said: “We’re certainly moving in the right direction.”

To participate in the campaign, Kaisers has taken a leave of absence from his role as union president, and said he will retire from the VPD if elected.