Sergeant Raj Jaswal has worked within the criminal justice system for 15 years in a frontline and investigative capacity as a member of the Vancouver Police Department. Raj has extensive experience in intelligence gathering along with gang enforcement, intervention and suppression. In 2014, he was recognized for his work with a Deputy Chief Constable commendation for developing strategies to curb gang violence in South Vancouver. In 2021, he was recognized for his superior accomplishments in gang investigations by the National Gang Crime Research Center in Chicago, Illinois with the Frederick Milton Thrasher Award. In 2022, he was recognized for demonstrating outstanding professionalism and profound dedication to the safety of the communities he serves by the Ontario Gang Investigators Association with the Jim Aspiotis Memorial Award.
Raj is part of a select cadre of Police Officers across Canada who are certified instructors in criminal vehicle interdiction training. Raj provides training and education to Canadian law enforcement on current and emerging trends related to the “travelling criminal”. Raj is also a recognized instructor for the US Drug Interdiction Assistance Program that trains and educates law enforcement officers across the United States.
Raj has a genuine passion for combining his practical experiences with his educational training. Raj serves as a guest lecturer for post-secondary criminology departments. Raj’s dedication to his community has resulted in him being the recipient of community service awards from within the City of Vancouver for his commitment to the communities he has worked in.