VPD Chief Constable's Commendation: Constable Ryan Hooper
Channel: Vancouver Police Department
Date: 2019-03-15

In January 2017, Constable Ryan Hooper, as part of the District 4 Neighbourhood Policing Team, began noticing an increase in residential break-ins where thieves forced or pried open the front doors of homes. Using in-house analytics, he was able to confirm that 38 per cent of all break-and-enters to homes in Vancouver involved this type of entry.

He began to research a solution – something that could help prevent would-be intruders from entering homes this way. He looked at building codes and spoke with City of Vancouver building inspectors and homebuilders in the community.
He developed a prototype of a device to help solve the problem and tested it rigorously. The fix was a simple and cost-effective piece of hardware, meant to be used in conjunction with other existing door security hardware, such as metal plates and quality screws and strike plates.

After he developed the device, Constable Hooper helped spread awareness about the problem and the solution. He assisted with a video to alert residents to the increased risk of break-ins through front doors and to the usefulness of the new solution.
The City of Vancouver has now modified its building code to ensure that the less-than-ten-dollar piece of hardware is used in new construction and renovations that require an inspection. The bylaw came into effect in January 2018.

For tackling a problem with creativity and ingenuity, and developing a product that will increase safety for Vancouver’s citizens, Constable Ryan Hooper was awarded the Chief Constable’s Commendation.