News release

Superintendent Chris Goebel named new Officer in Charge of the Kelowna RCMP Detachment

July 23, 2025 - Kelowna, British Columbia
From: British Columbia RCMP

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The BC RCMP is pleased to announce that Superintendent Chris Goebel has been chosen as the new Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Kelowna RCMP Detachment.

Supt. Goebel brings more than 24 years of operational policing and senior leadership experience to the role. He began his RCMP career at the Kamloops Rural and Kamloops City Detachments before taking on specialized roles with the Southeast District Emergency Response Team, the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team and the BC RCMP Major Crime Section, where he supported complex, high-risk investigations across the province.

Supt. Goebel has also held leadership positions in several large municipal detachments including Surrey, Langley, Richmond and Coquitlam.

In 2024, Supt. Goebel was posted to Kelowna Detachment. He has been serving as Acting Officer in Charge since December 2024, which includes overseeing the detachment, including operations and administration.

Identifying Supt. Goebel as the detachment’s new OIC was done after extensive consultation and in close collaboration with the City of Kelowna, as the detachment, City, and community frequently work together to address important public safety initiatives.

“Leading the Kelowna RCMP as OIC is the highest honour of my career,” said Supt. Goebel. “As we move forward, my focus is on building a high-performing and resilient police service that is visible in the community, effective in addressing crime and public safety concerns, and committed to further enhancing trust with the community we proudly serve. As Kelowna grows, we will continue to meet rising demands from the public with strong leadership, modern and proactive policing initiatives, and meaningful engagement with our partners and residents.”

The OIC position reflects a realignment in structure for the Kelowna RCMP following a process, which included consultation and approval, to update the centralized policing model in the area.

Previously, the Kelowna RCMP OIC oversaw a centralized detachment model that included Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, the District of Peachland, and Lake Country. Under the new structure, the Kelowna OIC will now serve Kelowna, Big White, the Kelowna side of Okanagan Lake, and a small provincial area only. The other areas will be led by Detachment Commanders based in West Kelowna and Lake Country that will now report directly to the BC RCMP’s Southeast District.

“This change marks an exciting shift for policing in the region, as we believe it will allow us to be more responsive and accountable to these communities than ever before,” said Chief Supt. Shawna Baher, RCMP District Commander for the Southeast District. “We are very pleased to have Supt. Goebel in this role as we know he is an exceptional leader both for the community and for the detachment itself.”

As OIC, Supt. Goebel will work closely with the City of Kelowna and community partners to advance the city’s top public safety priorities, including addressing repeat offenders, supporting coordinated responses to mental health and homelessness, enhancing visible frontline policing, and using data and innovation to improve community safety outcomes.

“We are pleased to welcome Supt. Chris Goebel as the new Officer in Charge of the Kelowna RCMP. This appointment marks an important shift in our community’s policing structure —one that brings greater accountability and focus to the City of Kelowna,” said City of Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas. “Supt. Goebel is not only a respected and experienced police leader, but also a proud and engaged member of our community. I look forward to working closely with him to advance Council’s top priority: continuing to make Kelowna a safer place for everyone.”

Supt. Goebel officially assumes the position as Kelowna RCMP’s Officer in Charge on July 28, 2025.

Released by:

BC RCMP Communication Services
778-290-2929