Victoria Police Department facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Victoria Police Department
VicPD Heraldic badge
Past style ID badge of VicPD
Abbreviation	VicPD
Motto	Honour through Service
Agency overview
Formed	July 1858
Employees	349
Volunteers	78
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Esquimalt, Victoria, Canada
Governing body	Victoria Police Board
Constituting instrument	BC Police Act
General nature	Local civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	850 Caledonia Avenue
Police constables	243
Civilians	106
Elected officers responsible	The Honourable Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia Her Worship Marianne Alto, Mayor & Chair of the Victoria Police Board
Agency executive	Del Manak, chief constable
Facilities
Stations	2 850 Caledonia Ave 500 Park Place

The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) is the police force for the cities of Victoria and Esquimalt in British Columbia, Canada. It is the oldest city police department in Canada west of the Great Lakes. VicPD was the first Canadian police group to use tasers. They also created the first digital forensic unit in the country. This means they were pioneers in using technology to solve crimes.

VicPD is currently led by Chief Del Manak. He became the chief on June 13, 2017. He is set to retire in August 2025, and Fiona Wilson will become the next Chief Constable.

History of Victoria Police

Before VicPD, policing on Vancouver Island was done by the Victoria Voltigeurs. This was an armed group that helped when needed. In 1854, a single town constable, Thomas Hall, looked after the early town.

Shoulder patch used before June 2010

On July 8, 1858, Governor James Douglas appointed Augustus Pemberton as the police commissioner. This happened even before the city of Victoria was officially founded in 1862. The Governor hired ten men from Jamaica to form a police force. They arrived in April 1858. They wore blue uniforms with tall hats and a red sash. This first force only lasted about two months.

The police department was shared by the Crown colony, the province, and the city until the 1870s. After that, the young City of Victoria took full control.

The VicPD remembers five officers who died while serving the community. The first officer, Constable Johnston Cochrane, died in 1859. His death is the first known law enforcement death in British Columbia. The most recent death was Constable Earle Doyle in 1959, who died in a motorcycle accident. A memorial at their headquarters lists all five names.

Where VicPD Works

The VicPD is a medium-sized police agency. It has two main locations:

• Main Headquarters Building in Victoria, at 850 Caledonia Avenue.
• West Division in Esquimalt, which is shared with the Esquimalt Fire Department.

Police officers patrol different areas, which are called neighbourhood patrol areas. These include:

• Esquimalt, with areas like Panhandle and Saxe Point.
• Victoria, with areas like Downtown, James Bay, and Fernwood.

Over the years, VicPD has had several headquarters:

• Fort Victoria
• Bastion Square Gaol (from 1860s to 1880s)
• Victoria City Hall (from 1880s to 1918)
• Fisgard Street (from 1918 to 1996)

How VicPD is Organized

The Victoria Police Department is led by Chief Constable Del Manak. It has 241 sworn police officers.

The department is divided into different sections and units. These groups help with various tasks:

• Main Headquarters:
  • Patrol officers who respond to calls.
  • Focused enforcement teams, including bike squads and traffic officers.
  • Community resource officers who work with neighbourhoods.
• Investigative Services:
  • Major crimes unit that investigates serious cases.
  • Financial crimes unit that looks into money-related crimes.
  • Forensic services, including computer forensics, which helps find clues using technology.
• Crime Prevention and Public Affairs:
  • Public affairs, which shares information with the public.
  • Block Watch, a program where neighbours help prevent crime.
  • Volunteer services and a reserve program.
• Other Important Units:
  • 911 communication centre, where emergency calls are answered.
  • Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) for special situations.
  • K-9 units, which use police dogs.

The force also has reserve constables, who are volunteers that help out.

Police Ranks

Police departments have different ranks, like a ladder, to show who is in charge. Here are the ranks at VicPD:

Rank	Chief of police/chief constable	Deputy chief/deputy chief constable	Superintendent	Inspector	Staff sergeant
Insignia
Rank	Sergeant	Police constable 1st class/detective	Police constable 2nd class	Police constable 3rd class	Police constable 4th class (includes recruit constables)
Insignia

Leaders of Victoria Police

Here is a list of the Chief Constables who have led the Victoria Police Department:

Road Safety Unit

Four VicPD officers are part of a special team called the Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU). This team focuses on making roads safer. They work to stop dangerous driving, reduce crashes caused by alcohol, and encourage people to wear seatbelts. This unit includes officers from several police departments in the area.

Victoria Police Museum

In late 2014, the police museum at the Victoria police station closed. The many historical items, showing 150 years of policing, were moved into storage. In its place, the VicPD Hall of Honour was created. This hall celebrates the achievements of both police officers and civilian staff. It opened to the public on September 29, 2015.

In Books

A writer named Stanley Evans lives in Victoria. He has written mystery books that feature a character named Silas Seaweed. This character works as an investigator with the Victoria Police Department.

See also

• Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia