Len Garis is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice & Associate to the Centre for Social Research at the University of the Fraser Valley, a member of the Affiliated Research Faculty at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, and a faculty member of the Institute of Canadian Urban Research Studies at Simon Fraser University.

Recently was appointed as an Associate Research Scientist Emeritus at the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit. He has also been a member of the FIREfighting in Canada editorial advisory board. As Fire Chief (Ret) for the City of Surrey, British Columbia, his focus was on addressing public safety challenges through evidence-based decision making and innovation. Mr. Garis regularly initiates scientific research and data collection with the objective of developing alternative methods to address public safety challenges and improve service delivery. He believes strongly that having a long-range vision, planning and innovation can reduce costs, improve efficiency and ultimately enhance services and public safety.

Several of these initiatives have garnered awards and recognition for the City of Surrey in the past decade, including the Union of B.C. Municipalities Community Excellence Awards (for four different programs), a Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Award for Public Safety, recognition from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and in 2013 a Community Health and Safety Award from the International City / County Management Association (ICMA) and in 2016 a Professional Development Award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) and an Award for Collaborative Excellence from the Canadian Collaborating Centre Injury Prevention (CCCIP). In 2013 Chief Garis was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadians.