4007 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

A British Columbia RCMP officer facing possible dismissal over a private group chat and messages sent over the force’s data terminals says he hopes his use of inappropriate language is balanced against his actions during years of policing.

 

Const. Mersad Mesbah is one of three officers stationed at the Coquitlam, B.C., detachment facing allegations of discreditable conduct at a hearing over their comments.

 

An RCMP conduct authority lawyer at the hearing in Richmond, B.C., asked Mesbah about “disparaging” comments about a female complainant and a female colleague that the lawyer says showed “hatred” toward women. 

 

Mesbah says he made jokes in bad taste and comments out of frustration and anger, but says they’re not “representative” of how he’s conducted investigations.

 

He says he went above and beyond on numerous files involving domestic violence, sexual assaults and child abuse, and he hopes his policing is taken into account in consideration of his case. 

 

Mesbah says he didn’t speak English when he arrived in Canada from Iran, and wasn’t “alert to” the level of vulgarity conveyed by a four-letter term he used and now that he is, he says he’ll “never use it again” in his life.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...-words-1279366/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 September 2025 - 03:53 AM.

[pontcanna]

[Victoria Watcher]

https://x.com/Adam_S...307282983682232

 

[Mike K.]

In case there’s ever an issue with the image above: The new chief says she’ll be ‘balancing’ press releases compared to Manak. Nobody is sure what that means just yet, but council doesn’t like the negative attention press releases bring.

[Mike K.]

The new West Shore RCMP detachment should get underway by early 2026, starting with demolition of the 1960s wing. The project had initially been expected to start this year.

[Mike K.]

We’ve created a system of judge and jury, before a person ever faces a judge. The Crown/prosecutors are interjecting too much into the judicial process, and their own bias or opinions is now passing for law.

When Edmonton police criticized Alberta’s prosecution service this month for its handling of the homicide of an eight-year-old Indigenous girl, they were doing something rarely, if ever, done in Canada. They were intervening in a prosecution to demand accountability from the next link in the justice-system chain, after a plea deal they objected to. They were baring their fists and coming at the prosecutors. All this in public, too.

Now the police are being pilloried for it. Prominent criminal lawyers from a national organization are accusing the Edmonton Police Service of trying to intimidate prosecutors and thereby undermine their independence. Those lawyers say the police are threatening the rule of law and undermining the public’s confidence in the justice system.

Yet it was a real issue the police were raising: whether the justice system explains and justifies its actions to the public it serves. Only when it does can the public assess whether it is making its choices for the right reasons.

Here’s a news flash for those who worry the police undermined the public’s confidence – the public is not walking around in a state of high confidence about the justice system at the moment.

- https://www.theglobe...with-the-crown/

[Barrister]

The decisions of the public prosecutors should always be under public scrutiny and they should be both transparent and accountable. The press too often fails to look behind the scenes. 

[m3m]

Another big graffiti related to Constable Eddy is up downtown.

“Constable Eddy abuses the homeless”

What happened last time ? Did anything come of it ?

[Victoria Watcher]

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. has launched an investigation into an incident where man was injured while being arrested Esquimalt.

 

At about 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9, Victoria Police responded to a report of a man with a weapon at a home on Dominion Road. According to the police watchdog, the suspect was taken into custody at the scene with the assistance of a police service dog, resulting in a serious, non-life-threatening injury that warranted a trip to the hospital for treatment.

 

The IIO, which was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred, considers two factors at the beginning of each of its investigations: if there has been a death or an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm, and if there is a connection between the serious harm or death and police action or inaction. If both conditions are met, the IIO will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred.

 

 

https://www.vicnews....igation-8304490

[aastra]

 

...the public is not walking around in a state of high confidence about the justice system at the moment.

 

You know, unlike before, back in the good ol' days, when people had tons of confidence in the Canadian justice system.

[Victoria Watcher]

Birthday wishes brighten the day for VicPD service dog Daisy

The OSI dog has been helping the department for what will be two years on Oct. 24


https://www.vicnews....g-daisy-8304986





Might not be a serious police force if they celebrate dog birthdays.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 October 2025 - 03:42 PM.

[Mike K.]

VicPD has all but ended its practice of regular crime updates. That may mean crime is on a severe decline since the new chief took over.

That means they can work on cutting the budget for 2026?

[Mike K.]

Via VV’s Facebook:

🔹Policing of weekly pro-Palestine rallies in downtown Victoria cost BC taxpayers over $1M through December of 2024, records show🔹

Figures circulating online and said to be associated to the Victoria Police Department’s pro-Palestine rally policing costs for 2023 and 2024 have been confirmed by the department as authentic.

In a response to Vibrant related to obtained documents, Victoria Police has associated over $174,000 in policing costs for rallies that began on October 22, 2023 through the 30th of December, 2023.

For 2024, the department provided policing services for weekly rallies that cost more than $835,000, bringing the 2023 and 2024 costs to more than one million dollars.

The figures do not include pro-Palestine rally policing costs for 2025.

VicPD says in its FOI response that “a significant portion of the costs associated with demonstrations that have a nexus at the B.C. Legislature are recovered from the province through a Memorandum of Understanding, and cites additional costs as “considered the responsibility of policing a capital city.”

Weekly pro-Palestine rallies in downtown Victoria have occurred since October of 2023 and stem from Israel’s military efforts in Palestine following an attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. At-present, a peace deal has been brokered and an exchange of hostages is reported to be underway.

Similar rallies have taken place in cities across Canada.

[m3m]

That will be a fun comments section I’m sure

[pontcanna]

VicPD Launches New Temporary Member Program to Strengthen Frontline Policing

October 23, 2025

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) is launching a new Temporary Member Program designed to strengthen frontline policing capacity, support officer wellness, and advance a modern approach to community safety built on collaboration, prevention, and innovation.

This new initiative will allow experienced and recently retired police officers to return to service in a limited-term capacity – helping to alleviate frontline pressures and provide mentorship, stability, and leadership across VicPD teams.

“At VicPD, we are embracing a new era of policing – one that focuses on partnerships, prevention, and proactive solutions,” said Chief Constable Fiona Wilson. “This program allows us to bring back highly skilled, community-minded officers who can share their experience and leadership while supporting our commitment to service excellence and member well-being.”

Through the Temporary Member Program, VicPD is seeking seasoned officers who want to be part of this shift by:

Collaborating across sectors to address the root causes of crime and enhance community well-being.
Partnering with health, social service, and Indigenous leaders to advance upstream approaches to public safety.
Leading with integrity, compassion, and innovation to meet today’s complex challenges.

This program is more than an opportunity to extend a career in policing — it’s an invitation to help shape the future of community safety in one of Canada’s most beautiful and dynamic regions.

“Our goal is to maintain strong frontline capacity while ensuring our people are supported,” said Micayla Hayes, Chair of the Victoria & Esquimalt Police Board. “Bringing back experienced officers through this program helps sustain service levels, support new members, and reinforce the trusted connections VicPD has built in our community.”

The Temporary Member Program will offer competitive compensation, benefits, and flexible terms of service for qualified candidates, providing a meaningful opportunity for officers who wish to continue making a difference.

[Victoria Watcher]

How about a program where we encourage and support civiliian men to grow balls, and halt crime they encounter, with force?

 

And extend that program to private security guards.

[pontcanna]

[Victoria Watcher]

Body-worn cameras force police to spend more time in office

 

Any time charges are pursued, video of relevant incidents needs to be downloaded — a process that can take time for lengthy videos.

https://www.timescol...office-11396950

[pontcanna]

@vicpdcanada

Heads Up - Training Exercise Today 

 

Residents in the 1700 block of Fairfield Road, please be aware that the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) will be conducting a training exercise on October 29, 2025, from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

 

Residents may see uniformed tactical officers and hear loud bangs during the training cycle. 

 

We’ve distributed neighbourhood notifications with further details to nearby businesses and residences. 

 

Thank you for your understanding!

[Victoria Watcher]

The City of Surrey and its police board are caught up in a proposed class action lawsuit by former female police officers despite none of the six plaintiffs listed having been employed by the Surrey defendants.  A proposed class action lawsuit by current or former female police officers against the City of Surrey, Surrey Police Board, 12 other B.C. cities and 12 other B.C. police boards alleges the plaintiffs were subjected to gender or sexual orientation-based discrimination, harassment, and bullying by officers and management of B.C.’s municipal police forces.

 

Read more at: https://surreynowlea...ployed-by-them/

 

 

The defendants are listed as the City of Abbotsford, District of Central Saanich, City of Delta, Township of Esquimalt, City of Nelson, City of New Westminster, District of Oak Bay, City of Port Moody, Corporation of The District of Saanich, City of Surrey, City of Vancouver, City of Victoria, District of West Vancouver, Abbotsford Police Board, Central Saanich Police Board, Delta Police Board, Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board, Nelson Police Board, New Westminster Police Board, Port Moody Police Board, Saanich Police Board, Surrey Police Board, Vancouver Police Board, West Vancouver Police Board, Police Complaint Commissioner of British Columbia, His Majesty The King In Right of The Province of British Columbia, Attorney General of British Columbia, and the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.