SFU announces new Chief Safety and Risk Officer, Galib Bhayani

Galib Bhayani is a public safety champion with extensive experience in the areas of enterprise risk management, emergency planning and security and safety planning.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join SFU, and to bring an inclusive, community-centred approach to safety and risk management,” said Galib. “Throughout my career I’ve been focused on creating a safe environment for all, and I am eager to work with the community to find innovative and collaborative approaches that work for everyone.”

In addition to a long career in community public safety, Galib has a deep academic background, having completed a doctorate in policing and community studies with a focus on police accountability, governance and reform from London Metropolitan University. A graduate of SFU’s criminology program, he has also been a part-time faculty member at KPU, instructing in the areas of community safety, ethics and social justice, for over fourteen years.

Throughout his career, Galib has brought a desire to advance inclusion. He served as a member and co-chair of the diversity and inclusion committee for the British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP) and a member of the BC Provincial Government Community Diversity and Equity Committee. His goal is to collaborate across disciplines to identify and provide appropriate responses to the issues currently challenging all levels of government, specifically mental health, poverty, addictions and affordability with respect to community safety and wellbeing.

Most recently, Galib served as the RCMP Metro Vancouver Operations Officer (Chief Superintendent), responsible for leading, inspiring and supporting over 2,400 women and men as they respond to crises, implement innovative community safety models, and serve 1.8 million diverse residents. Prior to that, Galib was the Chief of Police for the City and District of North Vancouver, which includes the territories of the Squamish and Tsleil-Watuth. During his time in this role, Galib oversaw many high-level safety incidents and brought in a new strategic plan with an emphasis on social impact including reconciliation efforts, EDI and anti-bias training, and sustainability.