4201 replies to this topic

[LJ]

Hey VW, four males out of the 15, too many women right?

[Victoria Watcher]

I do agree that you might not want so many females as jailers.   90% of the time, they will be weaker than the inmates they must interact with.  A jailer must always be ready to subdue the prisoner, especially during intake, movement between cells and court or interview rooms.  Lots of chance for injury.  Remember that one female VicPD officer that was nearly killed on a shoplifting call on Douglas St.?

 

https://www.timescol...usiness-4613977

 

15 years later she has resigned herself to living with PTSD for the rest of her life:

 

https://youtu.be/yhU...G6LfGBWiO2Fawpj

 

Still a VicPD officer though.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 February 2026 - 07:42 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

It might be worth a discussion on whether he simply might not have challenged a bigger, male officer.   There is a reason why bodyguards and nightclub bouncers are large men.  It's at least partially a deterrent.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 February 2026 - 07:50 PM.

[Matt R.]

Funny you mention it, Upstairs had female security when I was there this week. Caught my eye as being unusual.

[pontcanna]

[Victoria Watcher]

The Victoria Esquimalt Police Board has offered to cut almost $600,000 from its budget request — funding for what would have been three new traffic officers.

 

But it won’t have any effect on the board’s overall budget request for this year, since it will just cover the added cost of a recent provincial government decision on shared policing.

 

A provincial ruling that came down in January over disputed costs in the 2025 police budget will add $598,128 to this year’s police budget.

 

Last year, Esquimalt refused to cover the cost of seven new VicPD positions. That led to an appeal to the province to rule on the matter. The province decided six of the positions were necessary, at a cost of just over $598,000.

 

Those positions are now included in the core budget for 2026, leaving the budget request at just over $86.75 million. That represents a 9.8% or $7.75 million increase in funding from 2025 levels.

 

Victoria’s share of that increase would be about $7.2 million.

 

In a presentation to Victoria council on Thursday, VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson said she understands that both Victoria and Esquimalt councils are under intense budget pressure, but “there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we require these additional resources.”

 

The proposal to cut almost $600,000 from the budget request was intended to demonstrate a willingness to compromise, she said.

 

 

https://www.timescol...to-87m-11901008

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 February 2026 - 11:01 PM.

[pontcanna]

Chief Wilson re: VicPD's POV on the collection/buyback of prohibited firearms:

 

https://www.facebook...251543677080190

 

[max.bravo]

Why does the police chief look like a strong breeze would blow her over?

[Victoria Watcher]

The three West Shore communities that will pay for a $103-million RCMP building expansion are now working with a private consulting firm to scrutinize the budget for the project.

Langford, View Royal and Colwood confirmed they are working with Victoria-based Advicas Professional Quantity Surveyors on a detailed review of the budget.

The process for undertaking the project is called Integrated Project Delivery or IPD.

The initial IPD report was presented to each of the councils last month, but the detailed project breakdown — about 1,000 pages — was delayed while it went through a redaction process because of RCMP security protocols.

 

https://www.timescol...viewed-11907516

[Mike K.]

The quantity survey should have been submitted well ahead of councils being asked to support the project. What councils received from the IPD team was little more than a financial PowerPoint slide that provided little of substance on the financials, no independent third party quantity survey, and councils were asked to vote on the proposal despite the RCMP stating in a letter that they themselves had not yet made a decision on whether to commit to the space as proposed, or seek additional square footage for investigative services.

Meanwhile, the project lost an entire floor during the validation stage and despite needing to be a 25-year project, it is now questionable whether it will accommodate operations into the 2040s. Granted, in the past week the RCMP has confirmed it will meet the needs over 25 years, but now without an investigative component that will have to find another home eventually (the Nanaimo Street RCMP building is getting old, and it’s located outside of communities the RCMP directly serves, making it a peculiarity).

That’s my read on it all, anyway. I absolutely would not have voted to support the project if I were in charge of the public purse, if so many questions and issues remained. At the absolute minimum the quantity survey should have been made available, then assessed by an independent consultant to brief councils and CAOs on the results. But then that would have still left us with the RCMP themselves not yet committing to what -they- needed at the time of the vote. You would think, that that would be a critical box to check if you’re about to spend $100 million on a building purpose-built for the RCMP.

And don’t even get me started on the failure of Sooke not investigating opportunities to join in on the project and seek to combine their policing with the West Shore RCMP. It makes far, far too much logistical and financial sense to have the Sooke detachment serve as a satellite and not a mini standalone force. I cannot believe, as in I am in disbelief, that Sooke’s politicians just let that opportunity slide right on by.

[Mike K.]

VV’s Facebook:

🔹VicPD and city bylaw hub opens in 900-block of Pandora; another two planned for Victoria🔹

Victoria Police and City of Victoria bylaw officers have a new operational hub in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue.

The ‘hub’ has opened in a newly completed rental tower’s ground floor retail frontage on Pandora Avenue, and provides police and bylaw officers with operational space, although it is not be accessible to the general public.

Sources tell Vibrant the move will support a formal police and bylaw presence in a challenging downtown Victoria block.

An additional two police hubs are planned for the City of Victoria, one in south downtown, and one in Burnside Gorge, reportedly.

Victoria Police discontinued small community police stations some years ago, that had originated in the 1980s. The department has two precincts, one in Victoria and one in Esquimalt, and currently has plans for up to three police hubs.

[pontcanna]

Good Samaritan Reports Large Sum of Found Cash
 
March 3, 2026 - File: #26-8449

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Police Department is thanking a good Samaritan for alerting officers to a large sum of money that was found at an automated teller machine (ATM). Police are now working to return the money to its rightful owner.

VicPD members were called to the 1100 block of Douglas Street on February 28 around 6:10 p.m. The good Samaritan watched over the money, waiting for police to arrive at the scene.  

Police counted the cash on-site, which amounted to hundreds of dollars. The department is thanking the person for doing the right thing by turning the money in.

The cash is being held at VicPD headquarters at 850 Caledonia Avenue. Police are investigating to identify and return the money to the person to whom it belongs.

[pontcanna]

IIO Concludes Investigation into January Incident in Victoria (2026-002)

March 6, 2026

Case: 2026-002 

Incident Date: January 1, 2026 

Agency: Municipal 

Location: Victoria 

Detachment: Victoria Police Department 

Incident Classification: Serious Harm 

Case Status: Closed - Without Public Report

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has now completed its investigation into an incident that occurred on January 1, 2026 in Victoria (IIO 2026-002).

Shortly after 5:30 p.m., Victoria police were called to the 800 block of Johnson Street about a possible assault. The man who was the subject of the 911 calls had also reportedly been running into traffic.

When officers arrived, they located the man and arrested him with the help of a police service dog.

The man suffered an injury during the interaction with police and was then transported to a hospital for assessment and treatment.

The IIO was notified shortly after the incident and commenced an investigation.

The chief civilian director has now reviewed the evidence collected by IIO investigators – including medical records, photographs and a statement from the affected person – and has determined that the man’s injuries do not meet the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act.

The IIO investigation is now concluded.

Edited by pontcanna, 06 March 2026 - 08:12 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Colwood council has approved moving ahead with the West Shore RCMP detachment project after receiving an independent financial report.

The West Shore RCMP detachment is owned by three municipalities – Langford, Colwood and View Royal. As the building is now too small for the department, planning has been underway for a project to expand it to meet policing needs.

Langford and View Royal councils have each voted to move ahead with the project, while Colwood pumped the brakes at the end of 2025, instead commissioning Jonathan Huggett to conduct and independent financial report.

https://cheknews.ca/...-place-1309981/

[pontcanna]

[Mike K.]

Colwood council has approved moving ahead with the West Shore RCMP detachment project after receiving an independent financial report.
The West Shore RCMP detachment is owned by three municipalities – Langford, Colwood and View Royal. As the building is now too small for the department, planning has been underway for a project to expand it to meet policing needs.
Langford and View Royal councils have each voted to move ahead with the project, while Colwood pumped the brakes at the end of 2025, instead commissioning Jonathan Huggett to conduct and independent financial report.
https://cheknews.ca/...-place-1309981/

More importantly, they’ll move forward if there are certain reporting and financial safeguards in place. Colwood will be watching the numbers here like a hawk.

[pontcanna]

[pontcanna]

Damian Kowalewich Named New Deputy Chief

March 16, 2026

The Saanich Police Department is pleased to announce that Inspector Damian Kowalewich will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief, effective March 31, 2026. In his new role, he will lead and oversee the Operations portfolio.

Inspector Kowalewich began his policing career with the Saanich Police Department in 2005 as a recruit constable. Since then, he has advanced through the ranks, gaining extensive experience across frontline operations, investigations, and in leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has led high‑profile investigations, built strong working relationships with national and international law enforcement partners, and played a key role in mentoring and developing junior officers.

Most recently, Inspector Kowalewich has served as the Officer in Charge of the Professional Standards Division and the Integrated Canine Service.

His experience and leadership are supported by a strong academic foundation. Inspector Kowalewich holds a Master’s degree in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Arts, English, and Linguistics from the University of Victoria, as well as certificates in Police Leadership and Public Administration. He is also an instructor in Evidence‑Based Policing through Dalhousie University.

Inspector Kowalewich’s service to the community extends beyond policing. He currently represents the residents of View Royal in his third term as a City Councillor.

Quotes:

“Damian brings unique and diverse experience and knowledge to the role of Deputy Chief. He has proven to be an exceptional police officer and a driven leader who is people-focused and forward-looking. I look forward to working closely with him in his new role as our organization continues to modernize, improve, and serve.” | Chief Constable Dean Duthie

“Taking on the Deputy Chief role is both humbling and energizing, and I’m grateful for the chance to serve in this capacity. My priority will be to support our people, work collaboratively, and help ensure we continue to meet the needs of the community now and into the future.” | Inspector Damian Kowalewich

 

 

 

[Victoria Watcher]

New Saanich deputy police chief to step down from View Royal council

Damian Kowalewich will officially leave council on March 31, the same day he assumes his new police role.



https://www.timescol...ouncil-12014518




That seems right. Spot stays open until the election. Fine.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 March 2026 - 09:37 AM.

[Mike K.]

I never realized he was also a councillor!