Abbotsford Police Department

Non emergency phone: 604-859-5225

Media staff

The Abbotsford Police Department strives to be open, honest, visible and accessible to the public. We are committed to keeping you informed about topics of public interest and how the Department is working to enforce the law and keep our community safe.

Through our Media Relations Officer (MRO), Sgt. Judy Bird, we use our website, traditional media outlets (print, radio, television) and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter) to keep you apprised of public safety and security issues in a timely manner. We recognize the integral role the media plays in keeping the public informed, so we use these platforms to provide updates on ongoing investigations, to issue warnings regarding public risk, to request information regarding missing persons, and to ask for the public’s assistance in identifying/locating suspects.

A large part of the MRO's responsibility is to respond to the thousands of media enquiries the Department receives every year. AbbyPD engages actively with the media, and endeavours to accommodate all reasonable and lawful requests. For media enquiries or community concerns, please contact the Public Information Officer by email at askmedia@abbypd.ca, or by phone at 604-864-4899.

Abbotsford Police Department Media Team

SGT JUDY BIRD
Media Relation Officer
Media Spokesperson/Social Media Officer

Sgt Judy Bird started her policing career with the Matsqui Police Department in September 1993, transferring to the Abbotsford Police Department in 1995 when the two police agencies were combined. Since then, she has worked in a variety of units, including Patrol, the Youth Section, and the Major Crime Unit. Between 2006 and 2010, Sgt. Bird was seconded to the RCMP E Division Behavioural Sciences Group, coordinating the police response to the release, management and supervision of high risk violent/ high risk sex offenders through British Columbia. After being promoted to Sergeant in 2010, Sgt. Bird worked as a supervisor in AbbyPD’s Patrol and Communications units. Sgt. Bird has been a member of the Abbotsford Police Color Guard and the South Fraser Tactical Squad, and has held positions as a recruit field trainer and ethics instructor.

In 2015, Sgt. Bird began working in the Public Information Section as the back-up media spokesperson, taking on the full-time Public Information Officer role in 2017.
Sgt. Bird has received numerous commendations and awards for her service, including a Lieutenant Governor’s award for Meritorious Service, the Attorney General’s Award for Community Service, the Abbotsford Policing Award for Outstanding Community Service, the Abbotsford Police Association Certificate of Exemplary Service, and Chief Constable and Inspector Commendations.

CST. Jody Thomas

Cst Jody Thomas grew up in Nelson, BC and moved to Abbotsford to start her policing career with the Abbotsford Police Department in 2001. During her career, she has worked in with a variety of units that have focussed on targeting gangs, prostitution, property crime and drug and firearm trafficking. Cst Thomas has always been passionate about handling Confidential Informants and after working with the Abbotsford Gang Unit, she became the department’s coordinator in 2015 for overseeing Confidential Informants. In 2018, Cst Thomas took on the additional role as a back-up media spokesperson.

Cst Thomas has been a member of the Abbotsford Police Colour Guard and has represented the department for two years as a bike rider on the Cops for Cancer Bike tour, personally raising over $25,000 for kids battling cancer. Cst Thomas has received several awards, including Chief Constable and Inspector Commendations, but her favorite commendations are the drawings and thank you cards over the years from the thoughtful Abbotsford citizens.

In her spare time, Cst Thomas gets teased for always being on the go and appreciating every day. She loves her family and friends and will usually be found on a mountain biking or skiing, dancing to live music, soaking up the sun, flying in the sky or staying fit in the Crossfit gym. Her secret talents are cooking, construction and searching for the funniest goat videos.

Cst. Deanna Dixon

Cst. Dixon started her policing career with the Abbotsford Police Department in September 2010, and since this time she has worked mainly in uniform within the Patrol Section. Cst. Dixon transitioned into the School Liaison Unit, in January 2018 as a School Liaison officer, where she is actively engaged with multiple Abbotsford schools. Cst. Dixon has helped to train several new Abbotsford Police officers as a Recruit Field Trainer/mentor. Cst. Dixon recently joined the Public Information Officer Team, as a back-up media spokesperson.

In her spare time, Cst. Dixon enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and keeping physically fit.

cst. mike wilford

Cst. Willford started his policing career with the RCMP in 2003 and joined the Abbotsford Police Department in the Spring of 2018. Cst. Willford has worked in a variety of units and sections including General Duty Patrol in Surrey, Criminal Intelligence, the BC Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, RCMP E Division Major Crime and finally Langley Detachment Serious Crimes Unit Team Leader and General Duty Patrol Supervisor. During his time in the RCMP, Cst. Willford was the recipient of three separate Officer in Charge Commendations. Cst. Willford is currently assigned to the AbbyPD Patrol Branch, and also the Crisis Negotiation Team leader. Outside of work, Cst. Willford enjoys spending time with his family, and is an avid photographer.

CST. ROB DYCK

Constable Rob Dyck has lived in Abbotsford since 1981. After graduating high school, Constable Dyck worked in several local companies, but always had an interest in becoming a first responder. During this time Constable Dyck spent four years as an volunteer firefighter for the Abbotsford Fire Rescue team. Ten years after high school, he decided to return to university and earned a degree in General Studies with a major in Communications. This led to 6 years working in a position as a business software consultant, which took him throughout North America.

After several more years in sales with a local manufacturing company, Constable Dyck pursued his dream of becoming a police officer and in 2007 joined the RCMP. During his time in Surrey, Rob received accolades for saving several citizens from serious bodily harm and had the opportunity to lead a team that was successful in drug and gun seizures. After nearly 9 years in Surrey as General Duty patrol and CRU, Rob joined the Abbotsford Police Department to work in the community he has called home for the past 37 years.

Rob has had numerous highlights in his career so far. One of the most memorable was the opportunity to represent the RCMP and Canada as one of the flag bearers in the 2010 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.

Since joining Abbotsford Police in July 2016, Rob has taken on additional responsibilities within APD as a crisis negotiator and a media relation’s officer. Rob looks forward to investing the remainder of his career to be part of the solution to make Abbotsford a safe place to call home!