Success Stories

VicPD LAUNCHES STRATEGIC PLAN 2020

At a news conference in November, VicPD launched its 2020 Strategic Plan with the vision of making the communities of Victoria and Esquimalt Canada's safest region. Strategic Plan 2020 was launched with a website and online video, which is believed to be the first of its kind amongst Canadian police agencies. Since the launch, the website has been updated with additional videos of what VicPD is doing to achieve this vision via the outlined "five bold steps". Video from Strategic Plan 2020

SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH

VicPD continued the trend as a leader amongst police agencies in how we engage the community on social media. The number of @vicpdcanada Twitter followers more than doubled to almost 4,000 by year's end. VicPD used Twitter messages on Canada Day to respond to complaints and gauge feedback from the public. Social media also played an investigative role, as VicPD solicited tips and information online. For example, following the assault of a downtown busker, the online community rallied to support the victim and the case was eventually solved thanks to the YouTube release of surveillance footage. VicPD continues to regularly use YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to share information with the public and solicit information that helps us fight crime.

CRIME REPORTS ALLOW PUBLIC TO ACCESS CRIME DATA

Victoria and Esquimalt residents can now view timely crime data for their neighbourhoods after VicPD launched Crime Reports in late March. VicPD became the first agency in the province and one of only six in Canada to make this crime prevention tool available to the public. Crime Reports allows the public to better understand the crime trends in their neighbourhood via the Google-based mapping system. View Crime Reports and sign up for an alert for your neighbourhood.

 

VicPD PARTNERS WITH GOVERNMENT IN CIVIL FORFEITURE CLAIMS

In 2011 VicPD again worked with the province's Civil Forfeiture office to deter unlawful activity and confiscate the instruments and proceeds of it. In May, for the first time in British Columbia, vehicles involved in repeated incidents of impaired driving were forfeited. In July a well-known, problem-plagued house at 2547 Prior Street has been successfully forfeited via the B.C. Civil Forfeiture office. The resolution of the civil forfeiture claim concluded a long-standing neighbourhood problem, as the home was previously the source of hundreds of calls for service. Find out more about BC Civil Forfeiture

WORLD POLICE AND FIRE GAMES IN NEW YORK

A contingent of 17 VicPD officers represented the department at the World Police and Fire Games in New York City in September. Three officers won medals in the competition, which featured over 10,000 competitors from around the world. Sgt. Mike Chicorelli and police service dog Max won gold in explosives detection vehicle searches, and also added a bronze medal in the building searches category. Cst. Lane Douglas-Hunt won the "Toughest Competitor Alive", which consists of eight events in one day of intense competition. Cst. Brenda Kelly also won a bronze medal in cross-country running.

VICPD HONOURS OFFICERS AND CITIZENS AT 2nd ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

Several officers and members of the public were recognized by VicPD and Chief Constable Jamie Graham at the 2nd Annual Victoria Police Department Honours Ceremony held in early April. The officers and civilians were recognized for various acts of bravery, professionalism and dedication in relation to investigations and personal conduct, at a ceremony that took place at the Chief and Petty Officer's Mess in Esquimalt. Click here to read the stories of the award recipients

 

20th ANNIVERSARY of MICHAEL DUNAHEE DISAPPEARANCE

Thursday, March 24, marked the 20-year anniversary of the disappearance of Michael Dunahee. Michael Dunahee went missing from Blanshard Elementary School in 1991 at the age of four. His disappearance spawned one of the largest police investigations in Canadian history and remains active today. On the eve of the anniversary, VicPD held a news conference (watch video) with Michael's mother Crystal to renew the plea for tips and information that could further the investigation. More about Michael's disappearance.

 

RESERVE CONSTABLES WELCOME GRADUATING CLASS

VicPD hosted the Reserve Constable Graduation Ceremony on July 23 to welcome 2011's class of 18 graduating candidates. The graduating class began their training in April and volunteered over 200 hours for the completion of their rigorous program. Candidates study legal issues, crime prevention, traffic, professionalism and ethics, communications tactics and self-defence training. To learn more about the Reserves and volunteer, click here.