Date: Friday, July 7, 2023
Victoria, BC – Today VicPD welcomes Dr. Lydia Vallieres, who joins VicPD as our first in-house psychologist.
Dr. Vallieres was hired as part of VicPD’s Wellness and Support Program, which focuses on initiatives that improve the overall psychological health for all VicPD staff. This wellbeing strategy is based on a health-oriented leadership approach driven by our Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Group.
Dr. Vallieres with CSD officers
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Vallieres to VicPD for the knowledge and experience she brings to our organization,” says Chief Del Manak. “Our focus is on supporting our people, and her work will complement the programs and initiatives we already have in place to help keep people on the job or bring them back after an occupational stress injury.”
Program and initiatives already in place include working with the Vancouver Island Beyond the Blue chapter, a peer-led, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting families of law enforcement officers in Canada, and the creation of a Peer Support Team. The Peer Support Team is a group of sworn and civilian VicPD staff who have training in trauma resiliency and crisis assistance and who offer support, act as liaisons and assist in connecting individuals to professional services.
Dr. Vallieres is an important addition to the collective care of all VicPD staff as she has focused her clinical practice on working with first responders and she has training in a variety of types of therapy.
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We’re seeking qualified candidates for both police officer and civilian positions. Thinking about a career in public service? VicPD is an equal-opportunity employer. Join VicPD and help us make Victoria and Esquimalt a safer community together.