Lights, Camera, Action! - Video archives
The West Shore RCMP provides policing services to 7 unique communities. Our officers are highly trained and passionate individuals. These videos highlight our officers policing expertise as well as their diverse backgrounds. We hope these videos give you insight to who we are, and what we do here at the West Shore RCMP. Thanks for watching!
Table of Contents
- West Shore Youth Outreach Team brings support and resources to youth in the West Shore
- West Shore RCMP Mental Health Unit continues to see success with Mobile Integrated Crisis Response Team
- Celebrating Women In Policing
- West Shore RCMP celebrates World Electric Vehicle Day
- West Shore RCMP partner up with Victoria Police Department to host ‘NHL Street’ in Langford
- West Shore RCMP Host 2025 Mountie Cup
- West Shore leaders visit Depot Division, home of the RCMP training facility
- Distracting driving campaign a disappointing success
- West Shore RCMP Bike Unit
- We are taking time to remember and reflect on September 30th
- Women in policing: spotlight on Cst. Elyse Patten
- Pregnancy and policing, listen to an officer speak about what it's like
- West Shore RCMP spotlight on RCMP Police Dog Services- Cpl. Sansome and Erik
West Shore Youth Outreach Team brings support and resources to youth in the West Shore
West Shore RCMP recognizes that specialized services with a focus on youth is a priority. The Youth Outreach Officer’s mandate is to focus on at-risk youth via a partnership with a counsellor from Pacific Centre Family Services Association (PCFSA). The West Shore Youth Outreach Team has been working together since 2021 and seen many successes along the way.
Transcript - West Shore Youth Outreach Team brings support and resources to youth in the West Shore
[West Shore Youth Outreach Team]
[Video begins with text that reads: The role of the counsellor is to support and advocate for youth. West Shore Youth Outreach team understands that confidentiality between the Youth Counsellor and the Youth receiving support is of paramount importance. The team ensures that the Youth Counsellor provides support and resource for the youth while maintaining their confidentiality. The youth and family counsellors also see’s youth for a variety of other concerns.]
Cpl. Cole Brewer – Supervisor, West Shore RCMP Community and Indigenous Policing: The western communities is one of the fastest growing communities on Vancouver Island, in the province, and in the country. We have the two largest high schools on Vancouver Island right here in West Shore with Belmont and Royal Bay. So, it’s diverse, we have a lot of students. It’s only going to grow.
[Video of Belmont Secondary School exterior]
[Video of a new elementary school being built by School District 62 in the West Shore]
Supt. Todd Preston – Officer in Charge, West Shore RCMP: There is no bigger priority at this detachment then working with our youth. And especially the vulnerable youth.
What we saw was that the programing with MYST (Mobile Youth Service Team) was absolutely outstanding. It was a great program, it is a great program.
But it’s one counsellor. It’s literally one counsellor and one police officer that is servicing the CRD (Capital Regional District) which makes up 400,000 people. And all the youth that are associated with that. What we decided that we were going to emulate that.
[Aerial video of Langford from Bear Mountain area]
[Video of West Shore RCMP officer giving a child stickers at a Halloween event]
[Video of West Shore RCMP officer watching RCMP mascot ‘Safety Bear’ playing basketball with a youth]
[West Shore RCMP officer handing out stickers to elementary school students]
[West Shore RCMP officer running with elementary school students]
Cpl. Brewer: In school District 61 at West Shore. We have our School Liaison Officer in our Community and Indigenous Policing Unit and currently those police officers would work with a youth counsellor at Pacific Centre Family Services. And both those resources would be in the school connecting with the school counsellors and connecting up with those youth.
[Video of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin walking into the high school together]
Julia Leggett - Manager of Counselling Services – Pacific Centre Family Services: The number of youth requiring help in our community has grown over time and the West Shore team is able to work in partnership with the Mobile Youth Services Team. The counsellor on both teams works for pacific Centre Family Services Association. So we are able to liaise between the teams with ease and support each other, thereby support youth in our communities.
[Video of Cpl. Brewer with Youth Counsellors Julia and Caitlin standing outside West Shore RCMP talking before walking inside]
[Video of West Shore officers and youth counsellors sitting down at a table and talking with each other]
Caitlin Anderson - Youth Counsellor – Pacific Centre Family Services Association: It’s so important to have a West Shore specific team. For me it also really helps to have connections to those community service providers and to be familiar with the area to provide that extra level of care. So that it makes it easier for communication and advocacy and connecting to supports for the young people.
[Video of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin speaking to a youth at the picnic table outside at a high school.]
Paul Block - Superintendent/CEO – Sooke School District: It take a collected effort and shared dedication to nurture and raise children in safe, secure and supportive environments. This service is another example of how community partners can support children, youth and families when additional resources are needed.
[Videos of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin speaking to two youths inside the high school]
Cpl. Brewer: We are building relationships with in those schools. All the things we are engaged with, whether it be a holiday event, a sporting event, a community event in the schools. We are there so kids get comfortable so kids get used to seeing us there and, hopefully have the opportunity to interact with us in a non-crisis/intervention capacity. So that when they do need that support and intervention it’s somebody they are familiar with. They may not be fully engaged in risky behaviours but we are starting to see some warning signs. Right, and so we want to intervene before we get to an unsafe situation.
[Video of Cpl. Brewer and another officer speaking to students outside a school with the West Shore RCMP TL’Ches Spirit Canoe in the background]
[Video of Cst. Varley high fiving preschool students]
[Video of West Shore RCMP PDS members with their dogs speaking to a large group of students in a high school gym]
[Photo of Cst. Webb from the West Shore RCMP Community and Indigenous Policing unit speaking to a youth]
[Photo of West Shore RCMP members with students after a floor hockey game at a middle school]
[Photo of West Shore RCMP members with a group of youth at a high school]
[Photo of Cst. Webb helping to tie up a youths’ hockey skates]
[Video of Cst. Webb and Cpl. Brewer with a youth on Pink Shirt Day]
[Videos of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin speaking to a youth at a picnic table outside the high school]
Cst. John Varley - West Shore RCMP Community and Indigenous Policing Unit: Especially if they have no real history. It’s usually a concern for us to see if we can figure out A) no one is getting hurt but also what’s causing this? Is there any way we can help give them the chance to right the ship and offer them extra resources so that they can hopefully learn form these behaviours early on and move forward into a positive manner.
[Video of Cst. Varley playing board game with a youth at a school]
[Video of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin speaking to two youths inside the high school]
[Aerial video of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin walking together on high school campus near a school bus]
Cpl. Brewer: Youth councillors service they have a certain skill set and the police have another and I think a lot of times when we are providing service to the youth the answer is somewhere in the middle. There has to be a balance.
Caitlin Anderson: We work together, we meet frequently to discuss cases that come up and how I can be of support to the youth and the families. So we will make a plan together.
[Aerial video of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin walking together towards a police vehicle on high school campus]
Cpl. Brewer: You have two professionals who are there working together to support a youth who is in crisis is probably the best approach.
[Aerial videos of Cpl. Brewer and Youth Counsellor Caitlin speaking to a youth at a picnic table outside the high school]
[West Shore Youth Outreach Team]
West Shore RCMP Mental Health Unit continues to see success with Mobile Integrated Crisis Response Team
It’s been just over one year since the MICR has been in operation in the West Shore and they continue to see positive results.
In April of 2024, West Shore RCMP established a Mental Health Unit. The Unit consists of one Corporal, two Constables, and two Registered Nurses from Island Health who specialize in mental health. Together, they form two Mobile Integrated Crisis Response Teams (MICR).
The co-responding teams work together to meet community members where they are at – often in their homes. The officers and nurses help provide a timely, supportive and empathetic approach to not only the person experiencing a crisis, but also to their families and caregivers.
Transcript - West Shore RCMP Mental Health Unit
[Video starts with text that reads: You matter. We’re in this together. West Shore RCMP Mental Health]
Sgt. Lauren Ferguson: The Mobile Integrated Crisis Response Team (MICR) is a team comprised of police officers and mental health nurses who respond to calls for service in the western communities with a mental health or addictions component.
[Video of nurse Dan Nguyen and A/Cpl. Justine Dancey talking in police car driving in the West Shore]
Nurse Dan Nguyen: We work in a system that is currently very siloed. And these teams help break down those silos.
It brings those silos together and helps improve the quality of care we can provide.
It allows us to see that somebody may have had a dozen police interactions but no mental health interactions within Island Health or visa versa.
And so when we can bring those together it allows that person to receive the appropriate care they need in that moment.
[Video of nurse Shea McKenzie speaking with A/Cpl. Dancey and Cpl. Nancy Saggar at the West Shore RCMP detachment]
[Close up of back of nurse vest]
[Video of nurse Dan and Cst. Gabriel Gravel looking at computer monitor in police car]
A/Cpl. Justine Dancey: Every decision we make, we’re talking to each other.
We’re evaluating because we’re both coming at it from both the same yet separate lens.
So the nurse is looking at that health, mental health prospective.
And as much as I’m also very much interested in that as well, I have a separate lens, which is the public safety lens.
Making sure that that client is going to be safe where they are, making sure their family is going to be safe, and making sure the community is going to be safe.
[Nurse Shea and A/Cpl. Dancey walking together outside West Shore RCMP detachment]
[Close up of front of nurse vest]
[Close up of police car with nurse Shea, A/Cpl. Dancey, and Cpl. Saggar speaking in the background]
[Close up of RCMP patch on arm of jacket]
[Close up of police vest]
Nurse Shea McKenzie: Generally, I will let the officer go in first and make the initial contact and make sure it is a safe environment for myself and for the people that are involved.
From there, I will start my assessment.
And it can look various ways.
A lot of time it’s listening, giving the person that space to tell their story.
You know, it’s watching body language, pilling in collateral information from family, and then you go from there.
[Nurse Shea and A/Cpl. Dancey driving up to a home in an unmarked police car]
[Nurse Shea getting out of police car]
[Nurse Shea sitting on a couch speaking to a male in a home with A/Cpl. Dancey in the background]
[A/Cpl. Dancey in a home listening to male speaking with nurse Shea]
[Nurse Dan and Cst. Gravel driving in police car in the West Shore]
Cst. Gabriel Gravel: What I’ve taken away from observing the nurses talking to clients is really slowing things down.
A lot of people want to be heard.
They want to talk and it’s important for them.
It’s important to be heard.
[Sgt. Ferguson and nurse Dan speaking to a female outside of a building]
[Close up of police and nurse vests standing beside each other]
Nurse Nguyen: I think it’s quite a honour, quite a privilege to be abled to be welcomed into peoples homes and to see them where they are at.
It’s not an opportunity that we can deal with people in crisis in their own personal space.
So I work at the psychiatric emergency services as well and it’s different when you see them in a very controlled health space as opposed to seeing someone in their home.
And so being able to see someone in their home and be able to assess their home environment as well it adds an extra layer of knowledge that you don’t get to see when you see them in a sterile environment.
[Nurse Shea and A/Cpl. Dancey driving in police vehicle in the West Shore]
[A/Cpl. Dancey knocking on front door of a home with nurse Shea nearby]
[Nurse Shea sitting on a couch listening to a male speak in a home]
[A/Cpl. Dancey standing up and speaking to a male in a home with nurse Shea sitting near male on couch]
[Close up of A/Cpl. Dancey listening]
[Male speaking to A/Cpl. Dancey and nurse Shea in his home]
A/Cpl. Dancey: We try our very best to provide those community mental health resources in community.
But sometimes that’s not always possible.
Someone is not well enough to wait or to receive those in community.
And in those cases, yeah, we will apprehend them and take them to hospital.
[A/Cpl. Dancey escorts male to police car with nurse Shea behind them]
[Close up of nurse vest and RCMP jacket]
Nurse McKenzie: We don’t take those decisions lightly.
It’s a very multilayered decision.
We take in peoples history, we take in peoples support systems that are already in place, we take in the ability to contract for safety.
There are many, many different decisions that we make together as a team before we come up with apprehension or not decision.
[Nurse Shea speaks with A/Cpl. Dancey in police car and smiling]
[Nurse Dan and Cst. Gravel driving in police car in the West Shore]
Nurse Nguyen: My experience here on the West Shore is that the team has brought an additional layer of safety to people in the community.
Families really appreciate having mental health professionals come when they are calling for the police.
[Nurse Dan and A/Cpl. Dancey driving in police car in the West Shore]
[Sgt. Ferguson, Cpl. Saggar, and nurse Dan approach apartment front door and knock]
[Sgt. Ferguson and nurse Dan standing together speaking to somebody off camera]
[Test that reads: If you or somebody you know are experiencing a Mental Health Crisis in the West Shore, please contact 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number (250-474-2264) if there are no immediate safety concerns]
Celebrating Women In Policing
March 2025, marks the anniversary of the first ever female officers to have graduating from RCMP Depot Academy and become RCMP officers.
To celebrate 50 years of women in the RCMP, we interviewed several women with deep and long-standing ties to policing.
Thank you to all the women who have served in the RCMP both past and present.
Transcript - Celebrating Women In Policing
Video description:
[ Video starts with a text that reads: On September 16 1974, 32 women from across Canada made history when they were sworn in as the first female cadets in the RCMP. Known as Troop 17, they pushed through many challenges, proving themselves in a male-dominated field. In March 1975, they competed their training and started work at detachments across the country.]
Cpl. Karen Adams (retired): The biggest thing was that we weren’t really wanted, right. It was very much a political enterprise that brought women into the RCMP. So a lot of members didn’t want us. We were warned about that even at Depot. Members saying, women don’t belong in the RCMP. So harassment was real. Although there were a lot of great guys that I worked with. Earlier on in my service, it was that constant reminder that you are not welcome
[Video of all female troop marching at Depot in 1970s]
[Group photo of Troop 17 in 1974]
[Photo of Troop 17 female cadet at Depot filling out paperwork in uniform]
[Group photo of 3 members of Troop 17 in uniform looking at paperwork in uniform]
[Group photo of Troop 17 marching in the parade square at Depot]
[Members of Troop 17 being inspected at Depot]
[Female member arresting male in 1970s]
Eva Silden: Women make up half the population. So there is really very little reason why women wouldn’t be not just included, but, would be half of the, half of the organization of public safety including policing, corrections etcetera”. I had a lot of women tell me in my research that when they joined policing they joined because they were really excited about their career and the change that they can make in the community. And, they also talked about, not really thinking about how impactful gender and gender inequality would be for themselves in that role and in their careers.
[Video of female RCMP member speaking to male members]
[Video of female RCMP member speaking to a client]
[Photo of Sgt. Alexandra Mulivhill of E Division with daughter Cst. Ryleigh Mulivhill of K Division. Both in Red Serge]
[Two photos of Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha of E Division in Red Serge and Blue Serge]
[Photo collage of sisters Cpl. Karen Adams (retired) and Cst. Shelly Marsh (retired) throughout their careers. Text reads: First sisters in the RCMP]
[Female cadets marching in Parade Square in the 1970s]
Cpl. Adams (retired): None of us would say that we set out to change an organization or that we wanted to make a political statement in any way. We just wanted like most members of the RCMP, wanted to help people. I wanted to do the job, and all I wanted was the opportunity to do that job.
[Members of female troop being inspected at Depot in 1970s]
[Group photo of Troop 20 (all female) in 1977]
[Photo of Karen Adams receiving her badge at Depot in 1975]
[Video of female member driving in general duty RCMP car in 1970s]
[Video of Cpl. Nancy Saggar driving general duty RCMP car]
Cpl. Nancy Saggar: What attracted me most to policing was the ability to help people in their time of need, in their time of crisis. When the day is not going well for them and you get that 9-1-1 phone call to be that person who shows up and you get to decide how to help them, to do the right thing. That is what attracted me.
[Photo of Cst. Brooke Cheney of E Division in Red Serge]
[Photo of Cpl. Tammy Jones of E Division in uniform with female PSD Eda]
[Photo collage of Cst. Imane Gourramen of National Division. Photos include Cst. Gourramen in general duty uniform, in Red Serge with several Canadian flag themed cakes, and in general duty uniform speaking to group at a podium]
Eva Silden: You know you have young women today whoa re considering policing but also feel that is somehow still a man’s role which speak to kind of the culture of policing. So very much the culture of policing is one of men and masculinities. And so in order to sort of be heard, like in a meeting, maybe you’re the only women, they have to think deeply about how they speak and do it sort of in a way that men do.
[Two photos of female RCMP members in 1970s or 1980s]
[Photo of female RCMP member in tunic and skirt standing with male RCMP member in RCMP Serge in 1970s]
[Photo of female RCMP in red tunic and skirt standing in front of RCMP general duty police car]
[Black and white photo of two female RCMP officers smiling at each other]
[Photo of female RCMP officer with three male RCMP officers in general duty uniforms]
Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat, Surrey RCMP Provincial Operational Support Unit and President of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police: When I fist began taking on leadership roles as a Corporal and Sergeant, I would walk into meeting rooms or into discussions not just internally in my origination but even externally they would automatically assume that you weren’t in a leadership role just sometimes by the way you looked. And I you were with men they would assume the men were the supervisors. And that was because I think the, just not having that mindset of growth and understanding that a boss doesn’t have to look a certain way. A boss doesn’t have to be 6’ft tall, they don’t have to be a man, they don’t have to have a certain haircut or style of communicating. It could be anyone.
[Group photo of C/Supt. Mehat with other officers in front of general duty police car]
[Group photo of C/Supt. Mehat in Red Serge with other members]
[Photo of C/Supt. Mehat being interviewed]
[Photo collage of Commr. Bev Busson, the RCMP’s first female commissioner and member of the Troop 17. Photos include Commr. Busson in Red Serge as commissioner and from 1975 at Depot.]
[Photo collage of Insp. Nina Miller of E Division in uniform]
Cst. Shelley Marsh (Retired, Troop 20, 1977-78): Meeting so many members, female members that are having opportunities to be in positions that we, that was never even an opportunity.
[Black and white photo of female Troop marching at Depot]
[Officers marching at Parade Square at Depot]
C/Supt. Mehat: With women in leadership they have a lot of emotional intelligence. A lot of women are able to sense when somebody is having a difficult time expressing their thoughts. They are able to see with employees and really get down to the root cause of what’s happening. They can really have a different understanding of when they is an issue with an employee or even organizationally they will look for other ways to problem solve.
[Female RCMP officer along with female nurse knock on a house door]
[Female RCMP officer along with female nurse speak with client inside their home]
[Photo collage of Sgt. Leanne Krauss (retired) in Red Serge and general duty uniform]
[Photo of Cpl. Catherine Hawkesbury of H Division in uniform with camera in hand]
[Cpl. Corinne MacPherson speaking with female high school student at educational event]
Cpl. Saggar: Our lived experience is different that that of our male counterparts, so therefore we are going to be different leaders. That’s not to say men aren’t good leaders I have several bosses, all men, great leaders. But we do need to have a fair and balance approach. And to be frank, if you have never seen a woman in a position of power and you’re a police officer now at a lower rank what is going to make you think that you can do that job?
[Two female RCMP officers watch girls high school basketball game]
[Photo of Cst. Darby Klekta of E Division walking with horse]
[Photos of Cst. Holly Weatherby & Cst. Pamela Thiffeault of E Division]
[Photo collage of Cst. Lavanneya Pancharatnarajah of E Division in Red Serge and general duty uniform]
[Photo of Insp. Trudy Murray (retired) of B Division]
[Photo collage of S/Sgt. Brandy Boychuk of K Division in Red Serge and different uniforms]
C/Supt. Mehat: When people see women at leadership tables it makes it achievable for everyone. I know I certainly felt that way when I saw women coming into leadership roles in the RCMP. I actually looked at them and I thought ok I can do that too. I could be just like them.
[Photos of Sgt. Stephanie Ashton (retired) of E Division in uniform]
[Photos of C/Supt. Mehat in uniform]
Cpl. Adams (retired): To see women at every level, commissioned officers, that was non-existent when I was in the force. And now no matter where you look women are every rank. The Sergeant Major for BC just the sweetest gal, that was not possible for a female to be a Sergeant Major, or a Corps Sergeant Major. And now we have a Corps Sergeant Major whose actually in Ottawa who is female, a lovely gal, I met her when we were in Ottawa and that to me is just mind boggling. And women shouldn’t take that for granted that there wasn’t a fight from the beginning for them to be where they are today.
[Photo of Troop 17 members- Karen Adams, Donna Morris, and Bev Busson at the 2024 Regimental Ball]
[Photo of Bev Busson and Shelly Marsh speaking at the 2024 Regimental Ball]
[Photo collage of Commr. Brenda Lucki (retired) in uniform. Text below photos reads: First women to permanently hold the position of Commissioner of the RCMP]
[Photo of Corps Sergeant Major Elaine Maisonneuve of National Division]
[Black and white video of female RCMP member getting out of car and entering RCMP detachment]
[Black and white video of Female RCMP member looking for evidence near a home]
C/Supt. Mehat: If I am in a situation, where if I am in a meeting, or receive an e-mail where the tone of that could be very pointed or it could be with somebody who doesn’t have a mindset of acceptance, I’m very quick to want to address that. Because if we don’t address these issues we allow people to treat us a certain way. I think you are able to do that by being respectful in how you do that. I’ve learned a lot about that throughout the years because people will, there are times regardless of your gender where people will make a judgment call and have an idea of how they want to treat you. At times we have to be very mindful of how we want people to treat us and we have to set those boundaries.
[Photo of Deputy Commissioner Jodie Boudreau of National Division]
[Photo of Deputy Commissioner Marie-Claude Dandenault of National Division]
[Photos of Cst. Kelsi Yoxall of E Division in uniform]
[Photo of Cst. Amy Rawlins of K Division in Red Serge]
[Photo of Kim Tent of E Division in Red Serge]
[Photo of Krista Reid of H Division in Red Serge]
[Photo collage of Cst. Justina Webb of E Division. Photos include Cst. Webb posing with young girl in a police Halloween costume, handing out roses to seniors in Red Serge, and speaking with youth]
Cst. Marsh (Retired): Your opinion matters, what happens to you, you are in charge of your career and your destination and where you want to go to in the force.
[Photos of Cst. Parveen Moore of E Division in uniform]
Cp. Saggar: I find a lot of women doubt their abilities. They maybe lack confidence, but confidence is only something you are going to gain if you do something you’re afraid of. You got to push your limits a little bit, you have to challenge yourself and once you are successful after you have challenged yourself, you will find yourself gaining confidence. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. Don’t let fear make your decisions. If you have a desire to be in a position, a job, you need to go for it. You have to have the guts to try and that is what will get you success.
[Photo of Cpl. Saggar with volunteer and Cst. Moore at event]
[Photo of Cpl. Saggar in uniform with young girl]
[Video of Sgt. Ferguson speaking with male RCMP member during training event]
[Photos of Supt. Nav Hothi of E Division]
[Photos of Cst. Chantal Mitchell of E Division]
[Photo of Cpl. Jana Rose (retired) in Red Serge with husband Insp. Stephan Rose]
[Black and white video of female RCMP member getting into RCMP general duty police car]
[Video of Cst. Weatherby in general duty police car]
Cpl. Adams (retired): Don’t let anybody dull your sparkle. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t. And I was told that, many times, that you can’t, that won’t happen. But just to persevere, and to believe in yourself and to believe that you belong. You belong here and there is lots of space for women in policing.
[Photo of female RCMP member in Red Serge waving Canadian flag. Text reads: You belong here. There is lots of space for women in policing. Apply today. Make a difference. Bc.rcmp.ca/careers]
West Shore RCMP celebrates World Electric Vehicle Day
September 9 is World Electric Vehicle Day. Here is a look at the Tesla Model Y which has been outfitted for Frontline Policing here in the West Shore.
Transcript
[Video starts with the Tesla Model Y driving in front of the West Shore RCMP detachment with text that reads “Tesla Model Y”]
Cpl Nancy Saggar, West Shore RCMP Media Relations Officer: So what you see behind me here is the Tesla Model Y. It has been fully outfitted to meet policing standards and it’s been on the road here for a little over a year at West Shore RCMP.
[Tesla Model Y police car in front of West Shore RCMP detachment]
It’s specifically being used by our Frontline officers as a general duty police vehicle. It also has a one person prisoner cage in the back.
[Inside of the Tesla Model Y, RCMP officer driving the Tesla Model Y police car]
[Tesla Model Y police car pulling away from West Shore RCMP detachment]
In comparison to a regular general duty police vehicle that cost about $1200 a month to fill up and gas, the Tesla cost zero. So there’s significant cost savings right off the bat.
[Tesla Model Y police car on the slide of the road on patrol]
Officers that have driven this vehicle have given positive reviews. It’s quite difficult to run out the battery on a 12 hour shift. Officers naturally come back to the Detachment multiple times during the shift, that might be for prisoner transport or to meet a client at the front desk. And so during that time, they will routinely plug this vehicle in and we are consistent about making sure that we keep the charge up on this vehicle.
[Inside of the Tesla Model Y police car, RCMP officer backs into a parking spot]
[RCMP officer plugs Tesla Model Y police car into the charging stations at West Shore RCMP detachment]
The major difference between the Tesla model Y and our traditional vehicle, the Ford Explorer, is just simply the sheer size. So the Tesla model Y is a significantly smaller vehicle than the Ford Explorer.
[Close up of Tesla Model Y police car steering wheel]
[Close up of RCMP shoulder patch while driving]
[Close up of Tesla Model Y police car GPS screen]
You can see here that we have room for our Police equipment however, we don’t carry any extras. We are just carrying the essentials.
[Police equipment in Tesla Model Y police car trunk]
It’s important to remember that many RCMP detachments are located in rural settings with cold climates, so the Tesla model Y may not be a great vehicle for other detachments. However, it is absolutely perfect for what we use it here for on Vancouver Island. Right now we are testing the Tesla model Y however, we are expecting to also test the Mustang Mach—E and the Ford F150 Lightning.
[Tesla Model Y police car in front of the West Shore RCMP detachment]
[Inside of the Tesla Model Y police car, RCMP officer driving the Tesla Model Y police car]
[RCMP officer gets into Tesla Model Y police car and pulling out of parking spot]
[Close up of RCMP logo, 9-1-1 symbol, and green energy symbol on the back of the Tesla Model Y police car]
West Shore RCMP
West Shore RCMP partner up with Victoria Police Department to host ‘NHL Street’ in Langford
West Shore RCMP was pleased to partner up with the Victoria Police Department to host ‘NHL Street’ in Langford.
The 6-week program is an inclusive and accessible league that focuses on keeping kids’ active, no matter their hockey experience.
Transcript
Video description:
Video opens showing kids playing ball hockey.
Video shows Cst. Cole Brewer, West Shore RCMP is talking about NHL Street Hockey program. There is ball hockey game being played behind him.
Videos shows kids running and playing ball hockey.
Video depicts Volunteer Coach Garry Dhillon talking about the NHL Street Hockey Program.
Video depicts two kids, Aiden and Max talk about their experience in the program.
Video depicts Cst. Cole Brewer talking about the program and the connections with the kids, video then shows the kids playing hockey and spectators watching.
Video depicts Chief Del Manak, Victoria Police Department talking about how this program humanize’ police.
Video transcription:
Cst. Cole Brewer, West Shore RCMP: NHL Street is a youth ball hockey league. Kids come down here every Tuesday evening. We set up the improvised rinks. They play a little ball hockey. It’s all for fun. It’s a good way to keep kids busy in the summer. It’s really good way for us as the police outside of the school year to maintain contact with youth and interaction. Especially such a positive fun way. You see all these people here having a pretty good time.
[Youth in white jerseys celebrate a ball hockey goal]
[Cst. Brewer talking in front of a ball hockey game being play]
[Youth in red jersey taking a shot and a goalie in a white jersey making a save]
[Youth in a white jersey makes a save. RCMP car in the background]
[Red jersey team and white jersey team shake hands after a game]
[Families watch players warm up. RCMP motorhome in the background]
[Youth in white jersey high fives teammates]
Garry Dhillon, Volunteer Coach: It’s a great little program. 5-6 week program that kids get to play outdoors and have fun and be kids.
[Coach Dhillon talking to camera]
[Youth in white jersey celebrates with a teammates]
Cst. Brewer: It’s tons of fun because these kids are excited to be here they want to be here. Especially the younger kids.
[Youth players in red jerseys cheer with a member of the Victoria Royals Hockey Club]
Aiden, Flames Player: Getting to play the game, having fun.
[Aiden talking to camera]
Max, Flames Player: When you get a goal, It isn’t just you getting the goal it’s the person that gave you the assist. I love it. It’s the best.
[Max talking to camera]
Cst. Brewer: It’s important for kids to see us in that normal lens. To be down here interacting the kids, refereeing the game and positive interactions as opposed to enforcement capacity. You get to meet them especially over the course of a six-week season. And they go you know what, Cst. Brewer, Cst. Varley, Cst Hall and Cst Webb, are just normal people, just like my parents my teachers, except for they wear a uniform.
[Youth in white jersey celebrates with goalie]
[RCMP officer drops the road hockey ball for a faceoff]
[RCMP Community Policing volunteer gives youth a juice box]
[Member of Langford Fire Department watches ball hockey game]
[RCMP member gives youth a sticker]
[RCMP officer talking to youth player in front of a hockey net]
[Two RCMP officers hand out hot dogs]
[RCMP officer talking to a young child]
[Langford Fire Department member drops the road hockey ball for a faceoff]
[RCMP officer walking with a ball hockey game in the background]
Chief Del Manak, Victoria Police Department: I think the NHL Street program allows kids to play street hockey and humanizes police officers. We’re here supporting the kids, cheering them on, we’re refereeing their games half the time and it just allows kids to really see Police in a non-traditional role and build those positive relationships.
[Ref drops the ball for a faceoff with youths in red and blue jerseys]
[Chief Manak talking to camera in front of ball hockey game being played]
[RCMP officer and Victoria Police Department laughing together]
[Victoria PD Officer drops the road hockey ball for a faceoff]
[Victoria PD Officer watching ball hockey game]
[RCMP Officer handing out freezies to youth]
West Shore RCMP
West Shore RCMP Host 2025 Mountie Cup
The Mountie Cup is a senior girls basketball tournament played at Royal Bay and Belmont Secondary Schools. The tournament focusses on promoting women and girls in both sports and policing.
The opening ceremonies at both schools included presentations hosted by School Liaison Officers Cst. Varley and Cst. Webb from the Community and Indigenous Policing Unit. They than handed over the mic to Cpl. Hough who spoke about the RCMP Police Dog program. Newly graduated Police Dog Ryky came out to show off some of his skills and 11-week old future Police Dogs Triggs and Taber came out to show off how good they are at tug-of-war.
Transcript
[Close up video of Mountie Cup programs on a table]
[Video of tip off of a basketball game between two senior girls basketball teams]
[Video of female basketball game]
[Video of a female basketball player taking a 3-point shot]
[Video of 4 female basketball players from behind on the bench cheering their teammates on]
[Video of a female basketball player scoring on a hook shot]
[Video of female RCMP officer watching a female basketball game]
[Video from a low angle of a female basketball player making a basket from the 3-point line with fans in the stands]
[Video of a member of the RCMP Emergency Response Team showing a high school student drones and equipment]
[Video of two RCMP officers speaking to a high school student at an information table]
[Video o four female of basketball players and an RCMP officer using RCMP props at a photobooth]
[Video of a member of the RCMP Emergency Response Team speaking with three high school students]
[Video close up of Superintendent shoulder with RCMP patch watching basketball game]
[Video of Superintendent Preston giving out the Defensive MVP shirt to a player with other players from both teams cheering in the background]
[Video of sign displaying sponsors of the Mountie Cup]
[Video of a female RCMP officer in Red Serge watching three female basketball players take part in a shooting contest]
[Video of male RCMP officer speaks to two high school students at an information table about Finger Printing]
[Video of a high school student plays corn hole with a female RCMP officer in Red Serge]
[Video of two RCMP officers speak with three high school students at an information table]
[Video of RCMP’s ‘Safety Bear’ makes a 3-point shot and celebrates]
[Video from a low angle of female basketball game]
[Video of female basketball players playing with RCMP puppy]
[Video with high school students in the stands during a presentation about Police Dogs]
[Video of Superintendent Preston wheeling a cart in a gym designed to look like the West Shore RCMP Tesla]
[Video of female basketball player waiting to be subbed into game]
[Video of female RCMP officer in Red Serge wheeling a cart in a gym designed to look like the West Shore RCMP Tesla]
[Video of ‘Safety Bear’ pretending to warm up for the game with a group of female basketball players]
[Video of a group of female basketball players lining up for lunch from Jones BBQ]
[Video close up of pulled pork sandwiches being made]
[Video of a sign that reads ‘Special thanks to food donors House of Boateng and Jones BBQ’]
[Video of a sign that reads ‘Tournament Fees Compliments of Viking Properties]
[Video of young child high-fiving Safety Bear]
[Video of young child high-fiving female RCMP officer in Red Serge]
[Video of male RCMP officer fist bumping young child]
[Video of two West Shore RCMP Mountie Cup trophies]
[Video close up of West Shore RCMP Mountie Cup trophy]
[Video of female RCMP officer in Red Serge presenting trophy to pool B winning team]
[Video of the two pool B final teams taking a group photo with a female RCMP officer in Red Serge]
[Video of female RCMP officer in Red Serge presenting trophy to pool A winning team]
[Video of pool A winning team celebrating with trophy]
[Video of pool A winning team taking a group photo with a female RCMP officer in Red Serge]
[Mountie Cup Logo]
West Shore leaders visit Depot Division, home of the RCMP training facility
This year, Mayors and Chiefs from West Shore Communities were invited to tour the RCMP Academy-Depot Division, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Depot has been training members of the RCMP since 1885.
Mayor Doug Kobayashi (Colwood), Mayor Ken Williams (Highlands), Mayor Scott Goodmanson (Langford), and Mayor Marie-Térèse Little (Metchosin) were able to attend.
Watch our videos highlighting their trip to Depot:
Part 1 - West Shore leaders visit Depot Division, home of the RCMP training facility
Transcript - Part 1 - West Shore leaders visit Depot Division, home of the RCMP training facility
[ Video starts with a text that reads: This year, Mayors and Chiefs from West Shore Communities were invited to tour the RCMP academy- Depot Division, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Depot has been training members of the RCMP since 1885. Mayor Doug Kobayashi (Colwood), Mayor Ken Williams (Highlands), Mayor Scott Goodmanson (Langford), and Mayor Marie-Térèse Little were able to attend.]
Cpl. Hiebert: Most of the people in the country have no idea what goes on behind these fences. Even people in the city of Regina don’t know what happens here and I think we need to tell our story.
[Cpl. Hiebert speaks with four West Shore mayors and Supt. Preston outside the Drill Hall]
[Four West Shore Mayors outside the Drill Hall]
Mayor Scott Goodmanson: I don’t think you can really understand or fully comprehend what goes on around here without actually being here. We’ve read about it and, we’ve heard about it for years, but, actually just seen the entirety of what is going on between all of the different levels of training, everything happening at once and the service they provide it really was eye-opening.
[Mayors Goodmanson and Little with Supt. Preston watch cadets training in gym]
[Mayor Kobayashi and Supt. Preston watch cadets Firearms training through window]
[Cpl. Hiebert speaks with four West Shore mayors and Supt Preston]
Mayor Marie-Therese Little: I think it’s important for us to be here to understand the training. So, when constituents ask us why do we need a force of five or a force of 15, we can explain to them what kind of training that goes on here that can’t be found just in one classroom or one gymnasium.
[Close up of Mayor Kobayashi and Supt. Preston listening during tour]
[Close up of Mayor Little]
[Close up of Mayors Goodmanson and Williams]
[Four West Shore Mayors speaking to an RCMP officer]
[Depot Training Instructor shows Mayor Goodmanson fitness records wall plaque]
[Four West Shore Mayors walking outside brick building]
[Mayor Kobayashi listening to Cpl. Hiebert speak]
Superintendent Todd Preston: You know over the years just speaking with the Mayors and Councils, it was abundantly clear that they don’t have a full grasp or perception of the training that an RCMP officer goes through. So, I really wanted our Mayors and our Councillors and our Chiefs to see firsthand the training from day one when a cadet shows up from all diverse backgrounds from across this country- to the 6-month mark where they complete their training. So that they can come back to their communities and provide the best possible service in terms of protective policing and policing in general.
[Four West Shore Mayors and Supt. Preston speak with Depot Commanding Officer Chief Superintendent Mike Lokken]
[Close up if Mayors Kobayashi and Williams]
[Four West Shore Mayors and Supt. Preston speak with C/Supt. Mike Lokken]
[Mayors Little, Kobayashi, and Williams listening on tour]
[Four West Shore Mayors, Supt. Preston, and Cpl. Hiebert speaking. Several cadets stand in background wearing their Red Surge]
[Four Mayors walk by a Troop of cadets lined up outside Depot building]
[Four Mayors listening to Supt. Preston inside Drill Hall]
[Fours Mayors watching a graduation ceremony for Troop 20]
[Mayors Goodmanson and Williams shake hands with graduating cadets]
Cpl. Herbert: I think the more people in those positions we can have come and see what it is we do and why we do what we do, and the quality of cadets that we are putting through depot. I think they would be more assured in the quality of members that they are getting when we send them to their detachments. So, they can rest easy knowing that when we send a cadet to a detachment anywhere they are well trained ready to go and they are professional and that’s what we’re putting out as a product here.
[Mayor Williams speaking with C/Supt. Lokken]
[West Shore Mayors shaking hands with RCMP Officers]
[West Shore Mayors listening to Cpl. Hiebert in Firearms training building]
[West Shore Mayors and Cpl. Hiebert viewing RCMP police vehicle]
[All four West Shore Mayors and Supt. Preston smiling for photo outside the A.B. Perry Building]
West Shore RCMP
Part 2 - West Shore learns about Cadet Training Program at Depot
Transcript - Part 2 - West Shore leaders visit Depot Division, home of the RCMP training facility
[ Video starts with a text that reads: This year, Mayors and Chiefs from West Shore Communities were invited to tour the RCMP academy- Depot Division, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Depot has been training members of the RCMP since 1885. Mayor Doug Kobayashi (Colwood), Mayor Ken Williams (Highlands), Mayor Scott Goodmanson (Langford), and Mayor Marie-Térèse Little were able to attend.]
Superintendent Preston: I think it’s important, not only for the Mayors, but for the general public to see their National Police Force which serves federally provincially and municipally, that they are able to adapt and modernize and become a police service that any community can be proud of.
[Canadian and Depot flags flying at Depot]
[Cadets marching in the Parade Square]
[Cadet stands at edge of the Parade Square]
[Close up of RCMP Forge Cap]
Cpl. Herbert: Cadets are here for 26-weeks of training. During that time, they experience Applied Police Sciences, which is the academic portion of training, fitness training, police defensive tactics training, driving unit and firearms training unit and, simulator. So, the cadets are extremely busy from the very first week they get here and the work just continues right through.
[Cadets watching Instructor demonstrate police tactics]
[Cadets training on virtual driving simulator]
[Training vehicle driving on closed training course]
[Cadets listening to instructors during firearms training]
[New cadets, lined up, listening to instructors]
[Cpl. Hiebert, Supt. Preston, and Mayor Williams talking]
Mayor Ken Williams: What I saw here was very comprehensive and I was very impressed with the way they’re dealing with our new society as Canada.
[Close up of Mayors Goodmanson, Kobayashi, and Williams with Supt. Preston]
Mayor Doug Kobayashi: Very progressive. Learning right now that a little more time is being spent on mental health side, the mental health training right now. I thought that was so encouraging. You know you can see it’s just not all tradition, that they are aware of what’s happening in society right now.
[Mayors Kobayashi and Williams speaking with Depot Commanding Officer Chief Superintendent Mike Lokken]
[Cadets in classroom]
[Close up of Mayor Kobayashi and Supt. Preston]
[Four West Shore Mayors, Supt. Preston, and Cpl. Hiebert speaking outside the Police Defensive Tactics Building]
[Four West Shore Mayors and Supt. Preston talking in the Drill Hall]
Superintendent Preston: The mayors that came with me were extremely impressed. They thought it was a world-class facility. They felt that the training has certainly modernized from what their initial thoughts were going to be coming onto this base which has always been kind of coined as a very militaristic base. And, I think once upon a time it was, it was very paramilitary. It still has a little bit of that to it but it has significantly modernized.
[Mayors walking outside of A.B Perry Building]
[Four West Shore Mayors, Cpl. Hiebert, and Supt. Preston outside the Drill Hall]
[Aerial view of a ceremony on the Parade Square]
[RCMP officers training with a Police Dog]
[Group of cadets listening to an instructor]
[RCMP divisional flags and provincial flags hanging in the Drill Hall]
[Four Mayors walk by a Troop of cadets lined up outside Depot building]
[Troop dressed in Red Serge lined up in formation in the Drill Hall]
[Drill Hall historical information poster]
[Drill instructor marching past cadets near Parade Square]
Cpl Dean Miller: The Drill and Deportment Unit is obviously a part of the cadet training program where we are trying to develop future police officers. We’re not just merely teaching them to march around in circles. We are teaching them actual policing skills, actual operational policing skills. So, that might mean that they are developing a bit of resiliency or composure in the face of a bit of adversity. It could also mean that they’re learning to work as a part of a team. Being part of something bigger than just themselves.
[Instructors observe cadets marching in formation on the Parade Square]
[Cadets march in the Parade Square]
[Overhead shot of RCMP police vehicles lined up on street within Depot grounds]
[Instructor observing cadets in a live scenario]
[Cadets training in gym]
[Sargent Major inspecting troops on Parade Square]
[Graduating cadets in Red Surge hug and congratulate each other at the end of their final ceremony]
[Four West Shore Mayors speaking to RCMP officer]
[RCMP ‘Core Value’ poster hanging at Depot]
[Cadets in classroom]
Commanding Officer of Depot Division Chief Superintendent Mike Lokken: Depot is the oldest division in the RCMP. It’s been around, next year we are celebrating our 140 th anniversary. So, to remain relevant to Canadian Society, obviously we have had to adapt and change. In our curriculum itself, we make in the neighbourhood about 300 changes every year. Now, some of them are minor tweaks and some of them are major changes. Like for example, scenarios, obviously the scenarios we had 10 years ago are not the same scenarios we have now. We look at them through an equality lens, we look at them to be representative of Canadian society. We look at them through a number of perspectives.
[Historical photos of Depot]
[Two cadets stand together, overlooking the Parade Square]
[Two RCMP police vehicle with emergency lights activated at Depot]
[West Shore Mayors and Cpl. Hiebert viewing RCMP police vehicle]
[Instructor observing a cadet in a live scenario, talking on their radio]
[Close up of cadet]
[Cadet in a simulated scenario on a screen]
[Cadets training in a live scenario]
[Two RCMP police vehicles driving in Depot parking lot]
[Cadets walking into a building]
[Cadet talking to an actor in a live scenario]
[Cadet putting handcuffs on an actor in a live scenario]
[Cadets walking together]
Mayor Ken Williams of Highlands: It’s a great facility. It’s like the Harvard for Police academy. It’s the buildings, the history here is amazing. The facilities are fantastic. It’s amazing the different kind of aspects of society they cover here.
[Ariel shot of A.B Perry Building and the Parade Square]
[Close up of “RCMP’ engraved in stone on the A.B Perry Building]
[Close up of RCMP crest and cadet patches on shoulder of a jacket]
[Cadets in Red Serge marching in the Drill Hall]
Superintendent Todd Preston: I can assure you what I witnessed on base and with the mayors witnessed watching the hundreds and hundreds of cadets go through the programming, the modern-day programming. There is no doubt that we are delivering on the knowledge skills and abilities for these individuals to come into our communities and do an effective job at policing.
[Supt. Preston and C/Supt. Lokken inspecting Graduating Troop in Drill Hall]
[Four West Shore Mayors and Supt. Preston listening to Cpl. Hiebert speak]
[Four West Shore Mayors, Supt. Preston, and C/Supt. Lokkenwatching graduation ceremony]
[Mayors Goodmanson and Little and Supt. Preston watch cadets train in gym]
[Cadets doing push ups in gym]
[Mayor Kobayashi and Supt. Preston watch cadets Firearms training through window]
West Shore RCMP
Distracting driving campaign a disappointing success
On the afternoon of July 25, 2024, West Shore RCMP partnered with ICBC and BC Highway Patrol to remind drivers to stay focused on the road and avoid distractions.
The distracted driving campaign had officers and volunteers stationed at three locations along Veterans Memorial Parkway. This area was chosen due to the high volume of traffic during the afternoon hours.
Transcript - West Shore RCMP - Distracting driving campaign a disappointing success
Video description
West Shore RCMP partnered with ICBC and BC Highway Patrol to remind drivers to stay focused on the road and avoid distractions. The distracted driving campaign was widely advertised with RCMP warning motorists in advance of where officers were going to be posted
Video transcription
[ Video starts with a text that reads: "On July 25 West Shore RCMP partnered with ICBC and BC Highway Patrol to remind drivers to stay focused on the road and avoid distractions. The distracted driving campaign was widely advertised with RCMP warning motorists in advance of where officers were going to be posted."]
Colleen Woodger, ICBC Regional Road Safety Cordinator: We’ve been invited here out in the West Shore by their local RCMP to really raise awareness and educate drivers of risks associated to texting, talking on your phone, any form of distracted driving.
[ A police officer and two civilian volunteers outside watching for drivers who are distracted while driving. ]
[ An officer talks to the driver of a red car. ]
[ An officer writing a speeding ticket. ]
Sgt. Jereme Leslie, BC Highway Patrol Unit Commander: We’re trying to bring education to the public. They should know about this particular law, it’s been around for a number of years now.
[ An officer taking notes. ]
Cst. Sean Van Londersele, West Shore TCMP Traffic Unit: I think it’s still quite big. We still do get a lot of public complaints about it. So this is an opportunity for us to try and bring the point home again.
[ A red car pulls out of a parking stall. ]
[ An officer talks to the driver of a grey truck. ]
Jereme: As you can see a lot of signage up all along the way from the highway all the way onto Goldstream, unfortunately, with volunteers, and the signage, and a lot of police officers around, unfortunately we’re still quite busy today. And we’ve issued a number of tickets for using the electronic device while driving. Even with all those warnings up.
[ An officer walking back to the sidewalk ]
[ Cars drive down the road. ]
[ Signs with a phone crossed out and the text "while driving" are displayed on the sidewalk as cars drive by. ]
[ An officer and two volunteers watch a truck passed by ]
[ Two officers wearing yellow vests stand on the side of a road. ]
[ An officer holds a clipboard with a checklist. ]
[ An officer talks to the driver of a black car. ]
[ Another officer walks past multiple cars on the road. ]
Sean: Today is going atrociously well. I hate to say it, unfortunately, very productive.
[ An officer talks to the driver of a white car. ]
[ Another officer pulls over a black car. ]
Colleen: More people are actually dying from distracted driving then impaired driving now. So it’s a huge issue. It’s also the number one reason why any pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist is injured or killed on the road.
[ A close up of a car steering wheel with the driver texting on a cellphone is shown. ]
[ An officer talks to the driver of a white truck. ]
[ An officer wearing a "RCMP GRC Police" vest observes cars driving on the road. ]
Jereme: These particular issues aren’t just simply geographical to one particular area such as like the West Shore or Saanich or Victoria. They cross all boundaries. So it’s really important that the messaging is clear to the public and to all the road users because we share the roads with a number of other vulnerable road users.
[ A close up of an officer talking to a driver. ]
[ Another officer walks past multiple cars on the road. ]
[ Two officers observe cars driving on the road. ]
[ An officer talks to the driver of a white car. ]
[ An officer walks on the sidewalk while multiple cars drive by.
[ A police officer and two civilian volunteers outside watching the cars. ]
[ A closeup of a black vest with "Police" text on the center. ]
[ Video ends with a text page that reads: "Despite the Signage, Police Presence, and All of the Warnings, in 3.5 Hours Officers Issued:
- 30 Violation Tickets for Distracted Driving
- 18 Written Warnings for Distracted Driving
- 6 Other Violation Tickets" ]
West Shore RCMP
West Shore RCMP Bike Unit
West Shore RCMP Bike Unit is made up of 4 Frontline officers. The unit’s mandate is to respond to calls for service and patrol the West Shore’s extensive trail systems.
The unit has been in operation since July 2018. Bicycle patrol enforcement limits the carbon footprint of police vehicles and provides year-round bicycle patrols in areas not easily accessible by police vehicles.
Transcript - West Shore RCMP - Suns out bikes out
Close captioning:
Video opens with upbeat music. Music continues playing and Cst. Reza Niazi is standing in a wooded area with his police bike in front of him. Cst. Reza begins talking about the West Shore Bike Unit. Cst. Niazi keeps talking and several video clips of him and other bike unit officers patrolling the Westshore on their bikes are seen.
Video transcription:
My name is Constable Reza Niazi and I work for West Shore RCMP Bike Unit. We have a variety of responsibilities. E-Bikes have the advantage to navigate through congested busy downtown core areas a lot faster than a normal police car can. Victoria and it’s surrounding communities; West Shore, Langford, Colwood and other municipalities that we police have a very extensive trail systems and people use these systems for a variety of reasons. One is for basically leisure activities or even to commute to work or other places. It’s very important for police to have easy and frequent access to these trails and our bikes are very advantageous for that because we can use them to get to a lot of places our police cars can’t. Electric bikes can offer a lot of advantages to police units in cases where a police vehicle can’t. They’re environmentally friendly, they produce zero emissions. The cost of operating is quite a bit less than a traditional police car. It’s a lot cheaper to charge a police mountain bike vs. purchasing fuel for a vehicle. You can equip them with a lot of extra accessories such as the saddle bags. We have police lights on our mountain bikes, so we can use them for a variety of reasons. When it comes to being cost effective they are quite advantageous.
We are taking time to remember and reflect on September 30th
West Shore RCMP officers and municipal staff will be wearing orange on September 30th. We encourage everyone to take time on this day to remember the survivors of Residential Schools. Remember the children who did not come home, and reflect on the ongoing traumatic impacts of Residential Schools.
We are honoured to have Chief Robert Thomas of Esquimalt Nation, Councillor Margaret Charlie of Songhees Nation, West Shore RCMP Cst. Cole Brewer of Okanagan Nation Lower Smilkameen Indian Band and Superintendent Todd Preston along with West Shore RCMP employees, take part in this commemorative video.
Transcript - West Shore RCMP - We are taking time to remember and reflect on September 30
Scene 1: Three people wearing orange shirts standing outside with the water behind them. Cst. Cole Brewer of the West Shore RCMP standing in the centre playing his drum. Standing on his left is Chief Rob Thomas and standing in his right is Councillor Margaret Charlie.
Cst Brewer begins singing an Indigenous song while drumming.
Scene 2: Song fades out and Cst. Brewer, Chief Thomas and Councillor Charlie are standing together. They introduce themselves and begin speaking about September 30th, Truth and Reconciliation day and Orange Shirt Day.
Chief Thomas: “Hello everyone, my name is Chief Rob Thomas from the Esquimalt Nation”.
Councillor Charlie: “Hello everyone, my name is Margaret Charlie, elected Councillor for Songhees Nation”.
Cst. Brewer: “I’m Constable Cole Brewer of the Okanagan Nation Lower Smilkameen Indian Band. Every year September 30th marks the national day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as Orange Shirt Day”.
Chief Thomas: “This day honours the children who never returned home, the survivors of Residential Schools, as well as their families and communities”.
Cst. Brewer: “Public commemoration of tragic and painful history and the ongoing impact of Residential Schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process”.
Councillor Charlie: “Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous led grassroots movement, intended to raise awareness of the family, community and inter-generational impacts of Residential Schools. [And] declare that Every Child Matters.”
All together in unison: “Hych'ka Siem” - this translates to “Thank you respected one”
Scene 3: Superintendent Todd Preston of the West Shore RCMP, is standing centre wearing an orange shirt. Behind him, standing silently are approximately 30 West Shore RCMP employees also wearing orange shirts.
Superintendent Preston is speaking about the importance of taking the time to remember the victims of Residential schools.
Superintendent Todd Preston: On September 30 th, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange. To honour the Residential School survivors and remember the children that did not come home.
Cst Brewer: [playing his drum and singing and Indigenous song] “We are beautiful, because we are Indigenous, because our land is beautiful. Hych'ka”
Scene 5: Video comes to an end by depicting the logos of Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, West Shore RCMP and RCMP Government of Canada logos.
Women in policing: spotlight on Cst. Elyse Patten
Listen to Cst. Elyse Patten speak about being a woman in policing. Cst. Patten has 6 years of service with the RCMP. She is passionate about the community she lives and works in. When she is not working, she volunteers her time for charities such as Tour de Rock, Sarah Beckett Memorial run, and more.
Transcript - Women in policing: spotlight on Cst. Elyse Patten
Video opens with Cst. Elyse Patten sitting and speaking about her experience as a police officer. Several photos of Elyse in and out of uniform are displayed on the screen while she continues to describe her experiences as a police officer.
----
My name is Constable Elyse Patten I was recruited out of Victoria, British Columbia, and posted to the West Shore RCMP detachment. I have been a member for six years. I wanted a job where every day was different. I wanted to be able to meet lots of different people. I wanted a job where there was a lot of opportunity to try new things, to learn, to develop, especially with the RCMP the opportunity to travel, to experience new places and communities. (Because) I think it’s really important for my own development and growth that I can see how other cultures and other communities live outside of my bubble (in Victoria).
One of the most common comments that I receive when I’m not working and I tell someone I’m a police officer Is, they are amazed at how nice I am. When we are interacting with people in the community, they are having the worst days of their life, and showing kindness is usually the only thing they remember from that day. They won’t remember what we tell them, what we necessarily did, but they will remember how much kindness we showed them when they were experiencing such horrible things in their life.
I am lucky to live in a community where I grew up and my family lives here. I am a wife and a fur mom to a dog and two cats. I love to play soccer and sports within the community. I love to be involved with different events such as Tour de Rock or the Sarah Beckett Memorial Run, which is definitely a passion project for everyone here at the West Shore detachment.
Women bring a lot to this job as well as men, but it’s a fun job and you get to do things that you would never do in other careers. Don’t feel that you shouldn’t try (to become a police officer), because you’re a woman.
Pregnancy and policing, listen to an officer speak about what it’s like
In honour of International Women’s day, West Shore RCMP Cst. Nancy Saggar talks about what its like being a pregnant police officer. Cst. Saggar joined the RCMP in 2009 has been a police officer for 11 years and is expecting her first child in March 2021. She is currently the Media Relations Officer at the West Shore RCMP and has experience in a variety of policing positions including frontline policing, serious crimes, First Nations Policing and is a member of the Vancouver Island Crisis Negotiation team.
Transcript - Pregnancy and policing, listen to an officer speak about what it is like being a pregnant
Video opens with Cst. Nancy Saggar speaking. A photo of her being 8.5 months pregnant appears on the screen. The video continues with Cst. Saggar speaking about being a pregnant police officer and her anxieties surrounding how her pregnancy and maternity leave will affect her career goals and aspirations.
Cst. Saggar continues talking about her experience as several photos of her working in uniform are displayed on the screen. The video ends with a photo of her wearing a shirt that says “Due in March”.
--------
My name is Constable Nancy Saggar. I’ve been a police officer for 11 years now. I am currently 8 and half months pregnant with my first baby. And so I thought it might be a good idea to talk about pregnancy and policing. So one of my major concerns was, what happens to my career once I become pregnant and I am gone on (maternity) leave for a year to 18 months? Is that going to affect my career aspirations?
Realistically that is an anxiety that I think a lot of women in this job have. I'm not alone in that. What helped me navigate and get through those feelings was to really just sit down and have a frank conversation with my supervisor and bring my concerns to the table. Once I did that, I was actually met with a lot of support from my supervisors and from my bosses. It really helped quash some of the anxieties that I had surrounding my career goals. Sometimes it’s just nice to have a supervisor tell you that you’re still a part of the team.
Just because you become pregnant doesn’t mean that you’re not a contributing member of the RCMP. So I think that is something that is very important for women who are entering this job who either are considering having a family, or maybe you already have a family, and you want to become a police officer, it’s totally possible.
There are going to be adjustments that need to be made, you may not be able to answer the 911 calls, especially the violence situations, the way that you would have if you are in fact caring a child. Obviously at a certain point you’re no longer going to fit into uniform. It’s simply not physically possible to wear a gun belt and put on a kevlar vest when you are heavily pregnant. It’s also just not safe. So that is something that has to be addressed.
I am in a position where I’m able to work from the office and still contribute. There are tons of investigations that are done not necessarily out in the field, but behind the scenes, and so that’s a way that you can contribute. So if you’re out there and you’re thinking is this a job for me? Is it possible that I could be a police officer and be pregnant at the same time? Or be a police officer and be a parent at the same time, and have a family life and have a work life? This is a career that can work for you. There are going to be adjustments that are going to need to be made, but that’s something that you will sit down and discuss with your supervisor and come up with a plan that works.
West Shore RCMP spotlight on RCMP Police Dog Services- Cpl. Sansome and Erik
In celebration of National Police Week, here is a closer look at Cpl. Sansome and his police dog, Erik, who are a members of the West Shore RCMP and South Island Police Dog Services.
Transcript - West Shore RCMP spotlight on RCMP Police Dog Services- Cpl. Sansome and Erik
Video depicts Cpl. Sansome standing and talking while his Police Dog, Erik, is laying by his feet and playing with a chewing toy.
My name is Corporal Melvin Sansome I’m with the West Shore (RCMP), South Island District Police Dog Services. This is my service dog Erik. Erik is a seven year old German Shepherd from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police breeding program in Innisfil Alberta.
We provide a variety of different jobs to the members. From conducting drug searches of houses, vehicles, boats, (to) looking for lost people, finding evidence, doing school talks and demonstrations, (as well as), criminal apprehension’s and tracking.
The best part of my job obviously is working with the dog. The dog is a lot of fun. It’s fun to watch the quirkiness of the dog, It’s fun to watch the way he approaches things. It’s really cool to see him actually doing a task, to actually see him locate a gun or drugs or find someone who’s missing in a bush or clearing a building or something. It’s really fun to see him get animated and perk up…(and) the other members that have never seen it before and they actually get to see it and I see their excitement.
Photo cutaway caption reads: Take a look at Cpl. Sansome and Erik in training…
Cpl. Sansome: RCMP Police Dog! Stop or I’ll send the dog! Stop you’re under arrest! Stop or I’ll send the dog! You will get bit! Hang em up Erik! That a boy, good boy!
Caption on the screen reads: Thanks for watching. Visit www.rcmpcareer.ca , a uniform with your name on it is waiting for you.
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