Operational Update

Overview 

The busy summer period of July through September always comes with an expected increase in calls for service, and an opportunity for proactive work out in the great weather. While Patrol was busy on the streets, our Investigative Services Division received a conviction of 48 months and 3 years’ probation for a violent sexual assault file (stranger/public related) with several other resource-intensive ongoing Major Case Management investigations going through disclosure or charge assessment processes. 

The Community Services Division (CSD) worked collaboratively with BC Housing, the City of Victoria and many other service providers to alleviate the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on Pandora and Ellice Street, and, with Patrol, led the Pandora and Ellice Safety Plan. There has been significant improvement in the density of encampments and criminality in this area thanks to the presence and visibility of officers in that area.  

Our Human Resources Division ensured that we had a new cadre of excellent candidates to train, while delivering on our Roadmap for a Healthy & Inclusive Workplace, including annual wellness checks and short and long-term reintegration.  

Welcoming New Faces 

In Q3, VicPD hired six Recruit Constables, one Experienced Officer, and two civilian staff. 

Departures 

Over the third quarter, five officers and one civilian staff member moved on to retirement. We celebrate retirements in February of each year.   

Bike and Beat Deployments 

In the Spring and Summer of 2024, Patrol Division made a concerted effort to dedicate resources to bike and beat patrols in Esquimalt and the downtown core in Victoria when call volume permitted and capacity existed. The Bike and Beat Deployment pilot project in Patrol Division has been deemed a successful demonstration of integrating these functions into regular Patrol work and will repeat in 2025. Read more about this pilot project here: Success In Summer Bike And Beat Pilot - VicPD.ca 

Traffic Safety and Enforcement 

Q3 saw continued efforts by our Traffic Section to focus on community safety.  They conducted proactive work in the following three areas:  impaired driving, school zone education/enforcement, and ensuring high visibility at a number of intersections and locations which have been of concern to community members.   

Clarifying Rules on Open Drug Use 

The Patrol division has seen an uptick in calls for service in relation to open drug consumption; this is reflected in the increase in calls for Social Order in Q3. The problem of public consumption of drugs is a challenging and complex social issue that our officers are confronted with daily and is the number one concern identified by residents in our 2024 VicPD Community Survey.  

The recent amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) exemption have caused some public confusion on what officers can lawfully do to enforce the CDSA.  

Although the changes made in May 2024 have been described as the re-criminalization of drugs, that is not actually the case, and the overall intent is still harm reduction. Arresting people for simple possession or use is the last option for our officers, given the amendments, and there is no support for police proceeding with possession charges through the court process. In most cases, officers have little option except to move them along and work to connect them with information and other supports.  

ACT Team Collaboration 

Relationships between the five Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and VicPD have continued to strengthen. Over this period, VicPD officers have collaborated closely with ACT doctors, nurses, and team members, engaging with 119 documented calls for service from July to September. These ranged from home visits and medication witnessing to more complex interventions, excluding additional support provided outside ACT coverage hours (Saturdays and Sundays). 

An increase in police involvement has been observed, with officers assisting with client background checks, attending team and doctor meetings, and locating clients alongside ACT team members. The move to EMP has slightly impacted the rapport and interaction frequency due to geographic distribution, as teams are now split between the city core and EMP on the city’s outer east. Officers continue to maintain connections with ACT teams by frequenting EMP during downtime and lunch.  

VicPD’s relationship with probation officers and integrated court remains strong, with effective communication and collaboration on shared reports and integrated court meetings. This quarter, the department celebrated UVic’s recognition of police officers’ role within ACT teams, highlighting the positive impact of VicPD’s ongoing support in maintaining safety within the community.  

CRT and Mental Health Support 

The Co- Response Team (CRT) handled numerous calls related to mental health crises. Notable cases included assisting a family with a Form 10 MHA warrant for a manic individual, de-escalating situations with individuals threatening self-harm, and managing encounters with clients exhibiting violent behaviors. CRT also worked with ACT and community mental health housing facilities, employing non-violent strategies to safely apprehend individuals for hospital admissions under mental health warrants. Additionally, the CRT monitored and addressed a hunger strike initiated by an activist, ensuring their child's safety with minimal police intervention. 

Calls for Service 

Overall, calls for service in Esquimalt were roughly the same as last quarter, but higher than during the same time period last year. 

Looking deeper at the categories, we see that calls for Social Order have maintained the increase that we saw in Q2, which is still significantly higher than the same time period last year. Calls for violence are in-line with this time last year and have lowered since Q2, and all other categories are in-line with the same period in 2023. 

Files of Note  

 File Number: 24-28365  

Narrative: E-Comm received a complaint of a break-in to a vacant home in the 800-block of Selkirk Avenue. Members and ICS K9 contained the house, and a lone male suspect was arrested. The suspect was searched, incident to his arrest, and a loaded .22 firearm was located on his person. The male was transported to cells and held for court. 

 File Number: 24-32106  

Narrative: Police received call from EHS to attend Macauley Point for a female that was actively stabbing herself in the neck. Police units arrived on scene to see the female being given first aid by EHS and Esquimalt Fire. Three citizens had performed life saving measures prior to first responders arriving. This act most likely saved the female’s life. We presented a Civic Service Award to the bystanders on November 2. 

 File Number: 24-32907  

Police attended the 800-block of Admirals Rd for a report of a male and female involved in a verbal domestic. While attempting to arrest the female for Causing a Disturbance and Assault, both members were assaulted by the male. One officer required treatment at the hospital and another officer suffered minor injuries.  

 File Number: 24- 33471  

Police were called by Esquimalt Fire for a targeted fire to a vehicle in the 1200-block of Park Terrace. Units attended to find a truck and trailer on the street fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be an arson.  

File Number: 24-33955  

Police responded to the 900 block of Esquimalt Rd. for a report of a vehicle fire. When members arrived, the fire had been extinguished; however, there was significant damage to the car.  

Crime Prevention 

September 3 – Back to School Safety Blitz 

In September, VicPD Traffic officers, Reserves and Volunteers visited every school across Victoria and Esquimalt to raise awareness of school zones now being enforced, and the increased pedestrian and bike traffic in school areas. In September, more than 400 drivers were documented going 41 km/hr or more in school zones by Crime Watch volunteers.  

Police departments across the CRD, including VicPD, Saanich Police, Oak Bay Police, and West Shore RCMP “teamed up” to collaborate on a back-to-school safety message. The video, coordinated by VicPD, received close to 80,000 views and local media coverage. 

 

Rainbow Kitchen Security  

This vital service provider has experienced a recent increase in hostility from clients (towards one another and staff/volunteers).  In order to ‘re-set’ the tone and tenor, Esquimalt Division staff have worked closely with RK staff and have provided increased (almost daily) presence during peak hours.

Summer Action Plan 

Our Esquimalt NCO and CRO’s worked some evening and weekend shift to increase presence in the parks and beach areas through June, July and August. 

Anti-gang presentations 

In order to curb rising gang recruitment in Greater Victoria schools, the municipal police agencies in the CRD collaborated on and delivered several ‘anti-gang’ presentations.  The presentations are designed to educate and inform local parents and to provide strategies to help insulate their children from this concerning trend.  Presenters included major crime detectives, analysis & intelligence experts, MYST, and former school liaison officers. The most recent event was hosted in Esquimalt at the Gorge Pavilion – approximately 50 community members attended. 

Anti-fraud for Seniors 

Our CRO’s continue to provide anti-fraud awareness training, particularly for seniors.  This effort will likely expand in Q4 to include other safety tips for community members.  

Community Engagement

Civic Service Award 

On August 13, VicPD presented Halifax resident Adam with a Civic Service Award for assisting a man who had been hit by a vehicle. Adam was vacationing in Victoria when the incident occurred, and we were happy to be able to present this award to him in his hometown. 

July 1 – Canada Day 

On Canada Day officers were deployed to the Inner Harbour to keep everyone safe, the Community Engagement team handed out stickers and met with people enjoying the Canada Day festivities. It was a family-friendly environment with a lot of red and white and true Canadian spirit on display. 

 

July 7 – Pride Parade 

A group of non-uniformed officers walked in the Changemakers portion of the Pride Parade as part of the Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee team. 

July 7 – Festival of India 2024 

Chief Manak was immersed in culture and tradition at the Victoria Hindu Temple for the Festival of India.

July 8 – Gurmat Kids Summer Camp 

Chief Manak visited children at the Gurmat kids summer camp at the Gurdwara, the chief spoke with the children in both Punjabi and English about policing.

July 10 - 14 – Pulling Together Canoe Journey 

VicPD officers, staff, reserves, retired members and Songhees youth were on the water in the VicPD canoe as part of the Pulling Together Canoe Journey, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing understanding between Public Service Agencies and Indigenous Peoples by canoeing the traditional highways of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. 

Watch video here: VicPD Pulling Together Canoe Journey 

July 15 – 21 – Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion  

VicPD celebrated Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion, these athletes inspire us to be better. 

Music In The Park 

Chief Manak, Inspector Brown and various other officers visited Music In The Park events through the summer, and even took part in a little dancing. 

July 25, 2024 – Coffee with a Cop 

Cst. Diack organized a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event at the Esquimalt McDonald’s Restaurant.  This was a fantastic opportunity for community members to informally interact with members of the Esquimalt Division including Insp. Brown, Sgt. Van Eerd, the Community Resource Officers, and members of the Traffic Section.  

Aug 12 – Day of the Dog Festival 

VicPD patrol officers are committed to building paw-sitive relationships in the community, they stopped by the Day of the Dog festival in Esquimalt to talk with people and meet some new furry friends. 

September 18 – Easter Seals Drop Zone 

VicPD supported this year’s Easter Seals Drop Zone as superheroes rappelled 13 stories down the Manulife Building to raise funds for children and families with disabilities. 

July & September – Esquimalt Community Block Parties 

Members of Patrol Division, and VicPD volunteers attended two Esquimalt Block Parties.  These were fantastic events and great opportunities to interact with our local residents and families. 

September 6-8, 2024 - Esquimalt Rib Fest 

Insp. Brown and several ‘special duty’ officers supported the annual Rib Fest event at Bullen Park.  From a safety perspective, the event was a success with only few minor incidents to report.