Fiona Wilson – It’s Time to Recognize Drug Use is a Health Matter, Not a Criminal One

Fiona Wilson
Deputy Chief, Vancouver Police Department

Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson began her career with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in 1999 as a Patrol officer and walking the beat in the Downtown Eastside. She also gained valuable investigative experience as a Sex Crimes detective. In 2007, she authored Lost in Transition, a foundational VPD report highlighting gaps in the mental health system affecting our most vulnerable.

The VPD’s current approach to mental health has its roots in that work. Upon promotion to sergeant, she led a Patrol team, served as an investigator in Professional Standards, led an investigative team in the Major Crime Section and served with RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime as a Team Leader. As a staff sergeant, she oversaw numerous investigative units in the General Investigation Section. Promoted to inspector shortly thereafter, she led Court and Detention Services and initiated significant upgrades of the VPD Jail, training and policy. She then represented the VPD as Deputy Chief Officer with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia, leading efforts to address serious organized crime in the province.

Most recently, she was promoted to superintendent and then deputy chief to lead the VPD’s Investigation Division. Deputy Wilson is the recipient of an array of VPD commendations and community awards relating to mental health. She is a provincially accredited Team Commander and holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Criminology from Simon Fraser University.