Victoria, BC – April 10th – April 16th is National Volunteer Week during which organizations across Canada celebrate those who give freely of their time and talent to improve our communities. This year’s theme is “Volunteers are the roots of our community”. VicPD is celebrating our volunteers, who are certainly the roots of our organization, with great enthusiasm with a week-long thank you event.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our Department,” A/Chief Constable Del Manak said. “Their dedication to their communities, their professionalism and their giving spirit is nothing short of inspiring.”
VicPD volunteers serve in CrimeWatch, as Reserve Constables, at the Front Desk and as program and community leads. If you’ve ever attended our 850 Caledonia Ave. headquarters, the first person you likely interacted with was a volunteer. Others volunteer in Block Watch, helping keep their neighbourhoods safe, connected and informed.
“Our volunteers contributed more than 17,000 hours of service to the communities Victoria and Esquimalt last year alone,” Coordinator of Volunteer Services Karen Wallis said. “From serving on the front desk to helping keep roads safer in the community they augment and enhance the services we offer as a Police Department, something that some of them have been doing for more than 20 years.”
Two of our volunteers, Front Desk Volunteer Katie Dunn and Reserve Constable Duncan McAndrew were honoured by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston when they received the Caring Canadian Award in Vancouver last month. Together, they have contributed nearly 42 years of volunteer service to Victoria and Esquimalt.
As part of our celebrations, each day this week we’ll be sharing messages of thanks from all levels of the Department, recognizing those who give so very selflessly of themselves in service to the citizens of Victoria and Esquimalt.