3317 replies to this topic

[pontcanna]

Victoria police, thanks for finding my scooter

Times Colonist  - 28 Jun 2022

My mobility scooter was recently stolen. A neighbour said to me: “The police are hopeless, you’ll never get it back.”

She was wrong. Not only did the police find the scooter in less than 10 days, but at all times they were helpful, not hopeless.

...

To all those who disparage the Victoria police, please think again.

Pat Mortimer, Victoria

More: https://www.timescol...c-parks-5524973

 

[Spy Black]

To all those who disparage the Victoria police, please think again.

Pat Mortimer, Victoria

A great feel-good story, but the admonishment to not "disparage" the VicPD doesn't take into account that, not only is it VidPD's job to get her scooter back, but it's also their job to enforce an environment where her scooter doesn't get stolen in the first place.

 

Bike and scooter theft, endless vandalism of downtown buildings, assaults, open drug dealing, entire downtown blocks that are unsafe 24/7 ... although I wouldn't call openly questioning such activities as "disparaging" the VicPD ... VicPD management do deserve substantial criticism for allowing the downtown core to devolve into the mess it currently is.

 

Taxpayers pony up all the cash that fund all of VicPD's employee wages, and those taxpayers have an absolute right to offer comment on how they think VicPD employees and managers are performing in their service to the public.

Edited by Spy Black, 28 June 2022 - 05:04 AM.

[E2V]

It’s Victoria city council, and their attitude toward the prominent group that has taken over downtown, that has caused downtown to devolve into it’s current mess. Police are required to do their job according to the whims of their political bosses whether it be Portland, Seattle or Victoria. That’s why many frustrated cops are leaving.

Edited by E2V, 28 June 2022 - 06:20 AM.

[Spy Black]

It's an easy excuse to blame it all on City Hall.

 

Realistically, it's bad management from the Chief and his senior officers, and that bad management has simply been exacerbated by the lame politicians currently inhabiting Victoria City Hall. 

 

There's lots of blame to go around, politicians, Provincial courts, etc ... but ultimately it's VicPD that has to step up and keep the downtown core civilized and safe ... there's nobody else in the batters box standing by to undertake that job.

 

VicPD is 100% responsible for crime prevention and safety in the downtown core.

[Victoria Watcher]

This is clearly an issue:


The number of shifts lost at the Victoria Police Department – officers and civilian staff being unavailable to work – is trending dramatically upward.

The department lost 1,051 shifts in 2018, a number that more than doubled in 2019 to 2,612. Recently released figures show the total grew again in 2020 to 3,361 shifts lost.

https://www.oakbayne...ide-chief-says/




That’s obviously a change in attitude about time off, and it might be well out of control.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 June 2022 - 07:05 AM.

[Spy Black]

Del likes to put a positive spin on it all, albeit completely dishonest ... but here is the real reason there are so many VicPD officers on leave:

 

https://www.timescol...culture-4894864

 

An overwhelming percentage of VicPD's issues are the result of a bad management, not politics.

[Mike K.]

There is also a lot of maternity leave, is there not? As more women make up the force, expect more maternal time off.

[Victoria Watcher]

Del likes to put a positive spin on it all, albeit completely dishonest ... but here is the real reason there are so many VicPD officers on leave:

 

https://www.timescol...culture-4894864

 

An overwhelming percentage of VicPD's issues are the result of a bad management, not politics.

 

 

About 50 officers are on leave for various ­reasons. 

 

 

 

 

 

^ That's out of less than 250 officers.

[Victoria Watcher]

There is also a lot of maternity leave, is there not? As more women make up the force, expect more maternal time off.

 

Don't men now qualify for a similar time off for childbirth?

[Mike K.]

Paternity leave is far less common, and often shorter when it is taken.

[Spy Black]

But doesn't EI cover the "salary" for maternity or paternity leave?

Isn't it part of a Provincial program that allows for such a leave with a paycheque from EI.

 

The majority of these VicPD officers are on a leave with pay ... which seems to imply that the majority of them are off for reasons other than looking after a baby ... like stress or PTSD, or ????

[spanky123]

Paternity leave is far less common, and often shorter when it is taken.

 

I believe that the rules are that men and women can both claim paid standard parental leave up to a total of 40 weeks which is in addition to 15 weeks of maternity leave. That leave is paid at up to 55% of a person's regular pay to a maximum of $633 a week. Many employers top up that amount. 

Edited by spanky123, 28 June 2022 - 09:28 AM.

[Mike K.]

All true about pay, but statistically speaking, men opt to take less time for paternity leave.

Also, if the officer is a new mom, it’s VicPD that sees an officer out of commission. When the new father is the officer, VicPD may or may not see the officer take leave, or even close to what’s considered full leave.

[lanforod]

^ a total combined. Typically the mom takes it, not the dad (assuming both are full-time employees).

[spanky123]

^ Well the mother gets 15 weeks regardless. If only one parent takes parental leave it is 35 weeks, if both then it becomes 40 weeks so there is an incentive for the other partner to take time off. The split does not need to be 50/50 though.

[Mike K.]

Yes, that’s what I’m familiar with most. Dad might take a week or two, gives the rest to mom.

[Victoria Watcher]

I believe the police contract gives mothers 15 weeks plus an optional additional 37, and men have available 37 to be taken within 52 weeks of birth.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 June 2022 - 09:42 AM.

[Mike K.]

All paid/topped up via VicPD, yes?

[Victoria Watcher]

All paid/topped up via VicPD, yes?

 

I think it's all unpaid, and you collect EI.  55% of your regular pay.  I'm not sure that a couple can take all of the 15 + 37 + 37 though.   Or at least take that and get EI.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 June 2022 - 10:03 AM.

[Mike K.]

So no top-up? Are we certain?