A new top cop has been named to head Metro Vancouver's Transit Police.
Vancouver Police Dept. Deputy Chief Doug LePard will take on the new role as chief officer after 35 years with Vancouver's force.
LePard replaces former Chief Officer Neil Dubord, who left the Transit Police last spring to become chief of the Delta Police Dept.
"I am excited about this opportunity to bring all that I have learned about leadership in policing to a progressive police agency, and together with TransLink provide safety to all those who use the transit system," LePard said.
He came close to becoming chief of the VPD but was passed over in favour of Chief Adam Palmer after the retirement of former Chief Jim Chu, who now serves as a provincially appointed director on the TransLink board.
LePard was also prominent during the inquiry into the failed investigation of serial killer Robert Pickton, penning a VPD report that was particularly critical of the RCMP's handling of the missing women case.