Victoria, Canada: Canada's first police chief of Indian descent has stepped down after completing 35 years of distinguished service with the Vancouver and Victoria Police Departments. His retirement took place on August 27.
Del Manak, who made history in 2017 as the first person of colour to lead Victoria's Police Department in its 168-year history, officially ended his career this week.
On his final day in uniform, he drove to the Victoria Police headquarters in his patrol vehicle before leaving the premises in a BMW convertible decorated with balloons in the colours of the New York Islanders hockey team, an image that quickly caught attention.
Reflecting on his journey, Manak shared, “It's been an incredible ride — 35 years in policing, with the last 9.5 years as Chief. Back in my traffic days, with my long sideburns, people called me ‘Delvis.' Well, Delvis has now left the building.”
Drove to @vicpdcanada HQ in my police vehicle & driving away in a BMW convertible with @NYIslanders color balloons. Been a blast, 35 yr policing career, 9.5 yrs as Chief! In Traffic, having big sideburns, my nickname was ‘Delvis’. Delvis has left the building! pic.twitter.com/OqpXX73HpH
— Del Manak (@ChiefManak) August 31, 2025
Born and raised in Vancouver, Manak joined the Vancouver Police Department in 1990. His family's ancestral roots trace back to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (formerly Nawanshahr) district in Punjab, India.
To honour his decades of service, the City of Victoria proclaimed August 27 as “Del Manak Day.” The police department marked the occasion by engaging with the community through donuts, small gifts, gift cards, and ice cream giveaways.
In a tribute statement, the Victoria Police Department wrote, “Today we celebrated Chief Del Manak and his remarkable career during Del Manak Day! For over three decades — and especially in his years as Chief — he worked tirelessly to make Victoria a better place to live. His compassion, leadership, and commitment will be greatly missed.”
Manak's policing career began with the VPD, where he handled major incidents such as a nightclub shooting in 1992 and dangerous high-speed pursuits. Throughout his career, he frequently spoke about the need for a stronger justice system, once remarking, “It's frustrating when officers arrest offenders only to see them back on the streets within weeks, repeating crimes.”
Big day for a big leader! Today we celebrated Chief Del Manak and his amazing career during Del Manak Day! For over 30 years, and especially during his time leading VicPD, he's worked hard to make our city a great place to live. Here is a look back at some fun moments with the… pic.twitter.com/2IKziMQd00
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) August 28, 2025
As chief, Manak emphasised community outreach. He built strong relationships with First Nations communities and cultural groups while increasing transparency with initiatives like “Before the Badge.” He was also a strong supporter of local sports teams and Special Olympics BC, helping create opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
During the province's ongoing overdose crisis, he championed Naloxone training for officers and worked with health professionals on harm-reduction strategies. He also advanced mental health resources for both citizens and police staff, introducing wellness checks, crisis response programmes, and return-to-work support.
Nationally, Manak played an active role in shaping conversations on policing in Canada, addressing issues such as decriminalisation, human trafficking, and the evolving future of law enforcement. Within VicPD, he placed significant focus on officer wellness, ensuring access to psychologists and regular mental health support.
