3818 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Cutting 1 new officer would save the city ~$250k.

 

 

I mean, literally, that should be the story.  Not one less cop out of 105 members.

 

 

 

https://www.rcmp-grc...ry-and-benefits

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 March 2025 - 08:34 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

In 2023, Victoria agreed to fund a late-night weekend patrol of the city's downtown core—but only for the coming year and within existing operating hours.

 

If the program were to continue in 2025, patrols may need to be extended through  the night if Victoria Coun. Matt Dell is successful in his bid to revive an old bylaw allowing for some downtown venues to remain open until 6am. 

 

Currently bars and clubs close at 2am to align with alcohol sale laws. In his appeal to his colleagues in council he said “it would be really cool” if Victoria could develop a small late-night dance sector, because, “there's always people out there who are into that type of thing, whether that be someone who just wants to party all-night long, or maybe a shift worker who doesn't get off shift until 10 at night, and they want to go out and stay out for a little longer.”

 

Whether these hours end up being extended, Desjardins takes issue with the fact that the bulk of patrolling happens late at night in downtown Victoria and doesn’t impact Esquimalt.

 

She pointed out that the only pub in her municipality closes by 11pm and there had been no significant challenge around the pub’s closing time. That being the case, she said providing $31,000 for a late-night bar-patrol program in Victoria wasn’t going to benefit Esquimalt.

 

Prior to asking for council’s vote, Desjardins wanted to make clear that the decision was not a reflection on the service that was being provided.

 

 “VicPD has provided and continues to provide excellent service to the township of Esquimalt. It is a challenge with the governance and the reflection of the uniqueness of Esquimalt with regards to crime severity from the City of Victoria and our very different needs.”

 

 

https://www.capitald...ays-doesnt-need

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 March 2025 - 10:47 PM.

[pontcanna]

50 years of women in the RCMP: Corporal Sukhi Dhesi

Lower Mainland District, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team

2025-03-07 

 

Working with the RCMP is nothing new for Corporal Sukhi Dhesi, who has been a police officer in British Columbia for over 32 years. Since beginning her career with Victoria Police Department (VicPD), she has worked in many areas of policing, eventually transferring to West Vancouver Police Department (WVPD) and working closely with the RCMP as a policing partner and through secondments with integrated units.

During her career as a municipal police officer, Cpl. Dhesi worked on bike, drug, major crime, and intelligence units, while also working with the RCMP during the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. She also worked with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) twice and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which are made of up of both RCMP and municipal officers.

After retiring from her career as a municipal police officer, Cpl. Dhesi joined the RCMP in January of 2023 and remained with IHIT through the Experienced Police Officer (EPO) program. She currently works as part of the Investigative Support Unit and as a Media Relations Officer.

My work at IHIT requires me to draw on all of the experiences I’ve had throughout my career, said Cpl. Dhesi. These are complex and dynamic investigations that require constant learning and moving into this unit towards the latter part of my career has been extremely beneficial for me. I’m a better investigator because of the time I’ve spent in other units, police departments and positions and that’s something I’m proud to bring to the table at IHIT.

I’ve always wanted to be a homicide investigator. This is the hardest job I’ve ever done, speaking and working with families whose loved ones have passed away is very challenging. Our job is to investigate the circumstances surrounding their death and hopefully answer some of their questions. When we’re able to go into an interview, work through an investigation and get that ‘why?’, it can be very helpful to families and loved ones who are working towards healing and finding closure.

While every file at IHIT is challenging, for Cpl. Dhesi, the most challenging have been the investigations into the homicides of two on-duty members within a short period of time. Every single time IHIT is deployed, there has been tragedy and this has an impact on the investigators. When a fellow police officer is the victim of a homicide and has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, the weight of the investigation is felt throughout the organization and law enforcement community. In all investigations, no matter the circumstances, the priority at IHIT is to follow the evidence and to seek justice for those who have died unfairly.

Cpl. Dhesi was the 12th female officer when she joined VicPD and has seen first hand how policing has progressed for women, specifically for women of colour, throughout her career. While working with VicPD, she was involved in developing the first VicPD Diversity Unit that supported diversity training within the organization and in the community through facilitating relationship building and education with community groups and police officers.

Policing, in general and for women, has changed a lot over the years and there have been difficult moments and barriers for me and others. It hasn’t always been the way it is now, and I’m thankful for how far we’ve come. There was a time in my career where women faced many challenges, from course selection, promotions, joining or even being considered for speciality units. It’s a privilege to see women occupying positions in specialized units, senior ranks and on management teams within the organization. We should be so proud of how far we’ve come in 50 years and grateful for those that came before us and helped paved the way for women in the RCMP.

My advice to women considering a career in law enforcement and with the RCMP would be, don’t be so hard on yourself, there is so much to learn. Policing is an evolving career; the law is evolving and it’s important to understand that there are challenges in this line of work, no matter who you are and you have to be alive to that. There are many possible progressions available to RCMP officers, a wide variety of work available and something for anyone interested in this career path. Our jobs as veteran members are to make sure everyone on our teams is successful. I’m a strong supporter of mentorship and would encourage any person looking to join the RCMP to seek out those opportunities.

 

In addition to her investigative work at IHIT, Cpl. Dhesi is passionate about mentorship, teaching and continuous learning, having gone back to school and earned a Masters degree in Criminology. Whether it’s being part of frontline operations, conducting interviews as part of a homicide investigation or working with the families of victims, strong, smart and caring officers like her, have an impact on our communities.

When mentoring women aspiring to become police officers and more junior RCMP members, she always emphasises the importance of taking care of your physical and mental health while ensuring you’re maintaining work life balance.

As an organization, the RCMP provides us with a number of incredible supports for our mental and physical health. Our work is challenging and it takes a toll on us, creating those healthy habits, enjoying our lives away from policing and supporting that balance is vital to making us better police officers and better people.

Having worked with the RCMP in various capacities throughout her career and joining the organization as an EPO, for Cpl. Dhesi, being a Mountie is all about teamwork, from coast-to-coast-to-coast. As the national police service of Canada, being a part of the RCMP means being part of an internationally-recognized police force and there is a sense of pride to wear the Red Serge.

It is an honour to see where we, as women, are now within this organization. To have women, of many different backgrounds, occupying positions of various ranks is incredible. We’ve come so far to have a work environment as good as this one but there is still work to be done. I’m proud to be a Mountie and would recommend this career to any woman interested.

Released by:

Sgt. Freda Fong
Media Relations Officer
Integrated Homicide Investigations Team (IHIT)

[pontcanna]

IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding May 2024 Motor Vehicle Incident in Central Saanich (2024-117)

March 14, 2025

Case: 2024-117 

Incident Date: May 21, 2024 

Location: Central Saanich 

Detachment: Central Saanich Police Department 

Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Referral to Crown Counsel (RTCC)

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has filed a report with the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding IIO file 2024-117.

Around 8 p.m. on May 21, 2024, a man was riding a bicycle along the 7100-block of Wallace Drive in Central Saanich.

A short while later, the man on the bicycle and a marked police vehicle being driven in the same direction by a member of the Central Saanich Police Service were involved in a collision.

The officer stopped and notified emergency health services.

The IIO was notified of the incident the same day and commenced an investigation.

It was later determined the injuries the man sustained do not meet the required threshold for serious harm, as defined by the Police Act. However, given the circumstances of the incident, the Director of Police Services ordered an IIO investigation pursuant to s.44 of the Police Act.

Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the officer may have committed an offence in relation to the use of their vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Act. As a result, and pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act, the IIO has forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.

In order to approve any charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.

While the matter is with Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case.

[pontcanna]

50 students spending spring break at Police Camp

15 Mar 2025

50 students in Grades 10-12 have plans for spring break with the GV Police Camp, starting today at St. Margaret’s School.

Students and officers will work on training exercises, including tracking w/dogs, forensics and B&E simulations.

Marine-surveillance drills are planned for Thurs @ RVYC, and police air units on Fri @ N Saanich firehall.

SaanichPD are supporting the camp along with VicPD, C/Saanich, Oak Bay PD and RCMP.

Kim Basi, a retired Saanich police officer, is the camp director.

St. Margaret’s is also the site of a Junior Police Camp this summer for 10-12 yr-olds.

SPD states that there will be a large police presence at the school.

More: https://digitaltimes...281569476505428

[Victoria Watcher]

Police camp at a private girls school. Our previous school board would never allow such a thing at a public school.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 March 2025 - 06:08 AM.

[pontcanna]

Advocates and family of man shot by RCMP launch 'people's tribunal' to probe police

 

Jared Lowndes was shot twice in the back by police in his vehicle at a Tim Hortons drive-thru in Campbell River in July 2021.

Holland (mother of Lowndes) joined with legal advocates and other groups on Friday to announce a "People's Tribunal" to investigate crimes committed by police against racialized communities.

"Systemic racism fuels an epidemic of police violence" against these communities, said a news release from the groups.

The BC Prosecution Service declined to lay charges against the 3 officers involved in the shooting.

The service said Lowndes had reversed into a police car, tried to bear-spray officers and stabbed a police dog to death.

Holland said the tribunal will offer a chance for those who lost loved ones due to police violence to talk about racism & other unlawful practices within Canada's police.

Police-involved deaths in Canada show Black people died at 6x the rate of their white counterparts, while Indigenous people die at 8x the rate of those who are white, the groups say.

She said having the tribunal will allow families to "take back that narrative," to tell their side & “rectify the harm” that the authority has done to their loved ones.

 

More: https://www.timescol...police-10378355

 

[Victoria Watcher]

Police-involved deaths in Canada show Black people died at 6x the rate of their white counterparts, while Indigenous people die at 8x the rate of those who are white, the groups say.



^ now do men compared to women.

[Victoria Watcher]

*** spoiler alert ***

It’s 20x higher for men.

https://www.statista...lice-by-gender/

[pontcanna]

West Shore RCMP - Celebrating Women In Policing

Mar 18, 2025

March 2025, marks the anniversary of the first ever female officers to have graduating from RCMP Depot Academy and become RCMP officers. 

 

To celebrate 50 years of women in the RCMP, we interviewed several women with deep and long-standing ties to policing.

 

Video: https://www.youtube....nBJGY7PQQ&t=55s

 

[Victoria Watcher]

West Shore RCMP seeks public input at town-hall meeting

 

Detachment leaders will be at the Langford Legion at 761 Station Rd. from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday to hear public input on policing priorities and other issues

 

 

https://www.timescol...eeting-10394152

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 March 2025 - 03:53 AM.

[Mike K.]

Langford chose to fund four of the five officers requested.

It was a bit of a spectacle at Monday’s meeting.

[pontcanna]

Saanich Police Unveil New Official Crest

March 20, 2025

In late 2020, the Saanich Police Department’s (SPD) Committee for Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Education initiated a project to design a new police-specific crest. Historically, SPD has used the District of Saanich’s Coat of Arms as our crest. The Committee felt it was important to have Indigenous representation in a crest worn by Saanich Police officers that reflects that the District of Saanich lies within the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən peoples.

In August 2021 the Committee sought and obtained permission from the Canadian Heraldic Authority to proceed with the design and began consulting with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council to commission an artist and establish protocols.

The design process began in 2022 with W̱SÁNEĆ artist Tom LaFortune proposing that a raven be the central element of the new crest. The committee commissioned W̱SÁNEĆ artist Douglas “Bear” Horne to illustrate the raven.

At the same time lək̓ʷəŋən artist Clarence “Butch” Dick was commissioned to illustrate the other Indigenous element chosen for the crest, the two maple leaves.

In Indigenous cultures, the raven is both a skilled communicator and guardian. On the SPD crest, the raven embodies our approach to community-based policing, building positive relationships and trust between communities through inclusiveness, transparency, and open communication.

Underneath the raven, twin green peaks represent two of Saanich’s regional landmarks—Mount Douglas Park (PKOLS) and Mount Tolmie. And at the bottom of the crest, two Indigenous maple leaves flank a dogwood flower, symbolizing the two traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on which Saanich was founded. British Columbia is represented by the dogwood flower, while the laurel of maple leaves represents Canada.

The Canadian Royal Crown symbolizes the Saanich Police Department’s commitment to the administration of justice.

The new Saanich Police Department crest was approved in late 2024.

Chief Constable Dean Duthie:

“I want to extend my gratitude and sincere appreciation to the artists, the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, and all the members of our Committee for Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Education for their passion and dedication to this project. A police crest is integral to the identity of our culture and organization. When people see our new crest, I want them to immediately associate it with professionalism, safety, and trust. I am proud of the steps we’ve taken to modernize and evolve as a police department, and I believe this crest truly reflects our values, vision, and the community we serve.”

[LJ]

I guess it is only fitting since so many of their calls involve indigenous people.

[pontcanna]

Crime Stoppers Program Coordinator

Competition Number: 25073

Category: Protective Services

Job Title: Crime Stoppers Program Coordinator

Department: Police

Position Type: Permanent Part-Time (Saanich Police Association)

Salary: $40.95/hour

Posted Date: March 17, 2025

Closing Date: April 4, 2025

Last Modified: March 17, 2025, 9:04 am

Status:Open

Description:

The Saanich Police Department is recruiting one permanent, part-time Crime Stoppers Program Coordinator. Under the direction of the Intelligence Section Sergeant, the Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the mandate of the Crime Stoppers program is fulfilled. The mandate of the Crime Stoppers program is to receive and process anonymous tips from the public that helps in the detection, apprehension and conviction of criminals and the recovery of property obtained through the commission of crimes and the seizure of illicit drugs. The Program Coordinator is responsible for administering all aspects of the Crime Stoppers program including the receiving and processing of tips, liaising with media outlets, and representing Crime Stoppers via social media and through community engagement events. Program Coordinators also prepare various statistical reports for presentation to Board of Directors and Stakeholders.

REQUIRED STANDARDS • Five years’ experience as a police officer or working within a criminal justice environment, with appropriate knowledge of legislation and regulations pertaining to the conduct of Crime Stoppers operations, including the Criminal Code of Canada, provincial legislation, privacy legislation, records management.

• Completion of grade 12 or equivalent.

• Able to meet all background checks, security clearances and vulnerable sector screening.

• Adherence to policies, standard operating procedures, and departmental rules and regulations of the Saanich Police Department.

• Must possess a valid B.C. Class 5 driver’s licence.

• Must be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality with any information.

The successful candidate will work a schedule of either Monday – Thursday or Tuesday – Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. In addition to the interview process, testing will be conducted. While we thank all applicants for applying, only those under consideration will be contacted.

 

Job Description: https://www.saanich.... - Job Desc.pdf

[pontcanna]

No charges pending for Nanaimo Mounties after woman breaks arm in custody

 

Report: https://iiobc.ca/app...rm-2024-226.pdf

[pontcanna]

Vancouver Island District RCMP officers and staff awarded the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal

Island District

2025-03-27 

A ceremony highlighting the issuance of the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal to Vancouver Island RCMP officers was held in Duncan, BC on March 20, 2025.

The King’s Coronation medal was struck by the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023. Of the 30,000 medals to be awarded to Canadians, the RCMP in British Columbia (E Division) received an allotment of 491 medals. The medal is to be awarded to employees who have made significant contributions to the RCMP, their community, Canada as a whole, and/or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to the RCMP or Canada.

56 RCMP officers and staff throughout Vancouver Island District were awarded the medal.



"It truly is an honour and I take pride in presenting these individuals with this particular award", said C/Supt. Bruce Singer, Vancouver Island District RCMP commander. "From a leadership perspective, it is important to recognize the valuable service and contribution these women and men in the RCMP have made throughout their careers. I also want to extend a special thank you to the spouses, partners and families of our recipients as their sacrifice and support will never be forgotten and is very much appreciated."

Released by:

Cpl. Alex Bérubé
District Advisory NCO (Media Relations)
Island District

[Victoria Watcher]

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that a mom’s civil lawsuit against the City of Victoria and VicPD officers for the shooting death of her son may proceed.

 

Marney Mutch’s son, Rhett Mutch, was fatally shot in the neck by Victoria Police officers on Nov. 1, 2014 after he went to his mother’s house despite a “no contact order.”

 

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. report issued in 2016 said his mother called 911 at 10:51 a.m. and officers arrived at 10:54 a.m. The dispatch said the mom was confronting her son and said he had picked up a knife. IIO says the mother told dispatch and officers “you don’t need a gun” and that he was holding the knife to himself repeatedly.

 

Within three minutes, officers had “made contact” with the son, then at 11:02 a.m. one of the officers reported that shots had been fired.

The IIO report found there was no evidence that the officers had motivation to harm Rhett, and a coroner’s inquest ruled his a death a suicide.

 

Years of delays

 

Marney had filed a civil lawsuit in November 2016 against the city and seven unnamed VicPD officers, but there have been delays in the case.

 

In October 2023, the City of Victoria applied to the court to dismiss the case due to “want of prosecution,” which means there has been an “inordinate and unexplained delay in advancing a claim (usually longer than about three or four years),” according to Lawson Lundell LLP.

 

https://cheknews.ca/...-rules-1246325/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 March 2025 - 07:38 PM.

[pontcanna]

@SaanichPolice

Mar 26

Drivers, when you’re behind the wheel, you need to #LeaveYourPhoneAlone! Our officers, along with members of CRD IRSU stopped and ticketed 36 drivers in just under two hours this morning. 

 

Each one received a $368-dollar ticket and 4 points on their license. 

 

Thank you to our SPD Volunteers and Reserves for supporting the officers this morning and helping to educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving.

 

[Victoria Watcher]

Four deputies who served the Harris County Sheriff's Department in Houston, Texas, have all died by suicide since February, which includes three within a one-week span, authorities confirmed to ABC 13.

Retired Deputy Long Nguyen, 58, was reported to have died on February 6. Deputy Christina Kohler, 37, was found dead on March 13, more than one week after being declared missing.

Deputy Maria Vasquez, 42, who retired from the Harris County Sheriff's Office in December, was found dead from what was ruled by the Houston Medical Examiner as self-inflicted. Retired Deputy William Bozeman, who served the department for 24 years, was reported to have died on March 19.

Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #39 president Jose Lopez said the string of deaths "caught a lot of us by surprise" while speaking to ABC 13.

"One is too many. Two? Three? Yes, it's definitely devastating," Lopez said, acknowledging that there were growing concerns within the Harris County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

https://www.iheart.c...ed-weeks-apart/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 March 2025 - 05:38 AM.