City of Victoria: 2023 – Q1

As part of our ongoing Open VicPD transparency initiative, we introduced Community Safety Report Cards as a way to keep everyone up to date with how the Victoria Police Department is serving the public.  These report cards, which are published quarterly in two community-specific versions (one for Victoria and one for Esquimalt), offer both quantitative and qualitative information about crime trends, operational incidents, and community engagement initiatives.  It is hoped that, through this proactive sharing of information, our citizens have a better understanding of how VicPD is working toward its strategic vision of “A Safer Community Together.

Description

Charts (Victoria)

Calls for Service (Victoria)

Call for Service (CFS) are requests for services from, or reports to the police department that generate any action on the part of the police department or partner agency performing work on behalf of the police department (such as E-Comm 9-1-1).

CFS include recording a crime/incident for reporting purposes. CFS are not generated for proactive activities unless the officer generates a specific CFS report.

The types of calls are broken into six main categories: social order, violence, property, traffic, assist, and other.  For a list of calls within each of these call categories, please click here.

Annual trends show a decrease in total CFS in 2019 and 2020. Since January 2019, abandoned calls, which are included in the total number of calls and can often generate a police response, are no longer captured by the E-Comm 911/Police Dispatch Centre in the same way. This has significantly reduced the total number of CFS.  Also, policy changes with regard to abandoned 911 calls from cell phones occurred in July 2019, further reducing these CFS totals.  Additional factors that have reduced the number of 911 calls include increased education and changes to cell phone design so that emergency calls could no longer be activated by a one-button push.

These important changes are reflected in the following abandoned 911 call figures, which are included in the displayed CFS totals and are largely responsible for the recent decrease in total CFS:

2016 = 8,409
2017 = 7,576
2018 = 8,554
2019 = 4,411
2020 = 1,296

Victoria Total Calls for Service – By Category, Quarterly

Source: VicPD

Victoria Total Calls for Service – By Category, Annually

Source: VicPD

VicPD Jurisdiction Calls for Service – Quarterly

Source: VicPD

VicPD Jurisdiction Calls for Service – Annually

Source: VicPD

Crime Incidents – VicPD Jurisdiction

Number of Crime Incidents (VicPD Jurisdiction)

  • Violent Crime Incidents
  • Property Crime Incidents
  • Other Crime Incidents

These charts reflect the most available data from Statistics Canada. The charts will be updated when new data is available.

Crime Incidents – VicPD Jurisdiction

Source: Statistics Canada

Response Time (Victoria)

Response time is defined as the time that elapses between the time a call is received to the time the first officer arrives on scene.

Charts reflect median response times for the following Priority One and Priority Two calls in Victoria.

Response Time – Victoria

Source: VicPD
NOTE: Times are displayed in minutes and second. For example, “8.48” indicates 8 minutes and 48 seconds.

Crime Rate (Victoria)

The crime rate, as published by Statistics Canada, is the number of Criminal Code violations (excluding traffic offences) per 100,000 population.

  • Total Crime (excluding traffic)
  • Violent Crime
  • Property Crime
  • Other Crime

Data Updated | For all data up to and including 2019, Statistics Canada reported VicPD’s data for its combined jurisdiction of Victoria and Esquimalt. Beginning in 2020, StatsCan is separating that data for both communities. Therefore, the charts for 2020 do not display data for past years as direct comparisons are not possible with this change of methodology. As data is added over successive years, however, year-to-year trends will be displayed.

These charts reflect the most available data from Statistics Canada. The charts will be updated when new data is available.

Crime Rate – Victoria

Source: Statistics Canada

Crime Severity Index (Victoria & Esquimalt)

The crime severity index (CSI), as published by Statistics Canada, measures both the volume and severity of police-reported crime in Canada.  In the index, all crimes are assigned a weight by Statistics Canada based on their seriousness.  The level of seriousness is based on actual sentences handed down by the courts in all provinces and territories.

This chart shows the CSI for all municipal police services in BC as well as the provincial average for all police services.  For VicPD’s jurisdiction, the CSI for the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt are shown separately, which is a feature that was first introduced with the release of 2020 data.  For historic CSI figures that show combined CSI data for VicPD’s jurisdiction of both Victoria and Esquimalt, click here VicPD 2019 Crime Severity Index (CSI).

These charts reflect the most available data from Statistics Canada. The charts will be updated when new data is available.

Crime Severity Index – Victoria & Esquimalt

Source: Statistics Canada

Crime Severity Index (Non-Violent) – Victoria & Esquimalt

Source: Statistics Canada

Crime Severity Index (Violent) – Victoria & Esquimalt

Source: Statistics Canada

Weighted Clearance Rate (Victoria)

Clearance rates represent the proportion of criminal incidents solved by the police.

Data Updated | For all data up to and including 2019, Statistics Canada reported VicPD’s data for its combined jurisdiction of Victoria and Esquimalt. Beginning in 2020 data, StatsCan is separating that data for both communities. Therefore, the charts for 2020 do not display data for past years as direct comparisons are not possible with this change of methodology. As data is added over successive years, however, year-to-year trends will be displayed.

These charts reflect the most available data from Statistics Canada. The charts will be updated when new data is available.

Weighted Clearance Rate – Victoria

Source: Statistics Canada

Perception of Crime (Victoria)

Community and business survey data from 2021 as well as past community surveys: “Do you think that crime in Victoria has increased, decreased or remained the same during the last 5 years?”

Perception of Crime  – Victoria

Source: VicPD

Block Watch (Victoria)

This chart shows the numbers of active blocks in the VicPD Block Watch program.

Block Watch – Victoria

Source: VicPD

Public Satisfaction (Victoria)

Public satisfaction with VicPD (community and business survey data from 2021 as well as past community surveys): “Overall, how satisfied are you with the work of the Victoria Police?”

Public Satisfaction – Victoria

Source: VicPD

Perception of Accountability (Victoria)

Perception of accountability of VicPD officers from community and business survey data from 2021 as well as past community surveys: “Based on your own personal experience, or what you may have read or heard, please indicate whether you agree or disagree that the Victoria Police is accountable.”

Perception of Accountability – Victoria

Source: VicPD

Documents Released to the Public

These charts show the number of community updates (news releases) and reports published, as well the number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that are released.

Documents Released to the Public

Source: VicPD

FOI Documents Released

Source: VicPD

Overtime Costs (VicPD)

  • Investigation and specialized units (This includes investigations, specialized units, protests and other)
  • Staff shortage (Cost associated with replacing absent staff, normally for last minute injury or illness)
  • Statutory holiday (Mandatory overtime costs for staff working Statutory Holidays)
  • Recovered (This is related to special duties and overtime for seconded specialty units where all costs are recovered from outside funding resulting in no additional cost to VicPD)

Overtime Costs (VicPD) in dollars ($)

Source: VicPD

Public Safety Campaigns (VicPD)

The number of public safety campaigns initiated by VicPD and those local, regional, or national campaigns supported by, but not necessarily initiated by VicPD.

Public Safety Campaigns (VicPD)

Source: VicPD

Police Act Complaints (VicPD)

Total files opened by the Professional Standards office. Open files do not necessarily result in an investigation of any type. (Source: Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner)

  • Admissible registered complaints (complaints resulting in a formal Police Act investigation)
  • Number of reported substantiated investigations (Police Act investigations that resulted in one or more counts of misconduct being established)

Police Act Complaints (VicPD)

Source: Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner of BC
NOTE: Dates are provincial government fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) i.e. “2020” indicates April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.

Case Load per Officer (VicPD)

The average number of criminal files assigned to each officer.  The average is calculated by dividing the total number of files by the authorized strength of the police Department (Source: Police Resources in BC, Province of British Columbia).

This chart reflects the latest data available. The charts will be updated when new data is available.

Case Load per Officer (VicPD)

Source: Police Resources in BC

Time Loss in Shifts (VicPD)

VicPD’s operational effectiveness can be, and has been, affected by having employees unable to work. The loss of time recorded in this chart includes both physical and mental health injuries which occur in the workplace. This does not include time lost for off-duty injury or illness, parental leave, or leaves of absence. This chart shows this time loss in terms of shifts lost by both officers and civilian employees by calendar year.

Time Loss in Shifts (VicPD)

Source: VicPD

Deployable Officers (% of total strength)

This is the percentage of officers who are fully deployable to policing duties with no restrictions.

Please note: This is a Point-in-Time calculation each year, as the actual number fluctuates widely throughout the year.

Deployable Officers (% of total strength)

Source: VicPD

Volunteer / Reserve Constable Hours (VicPD)

This is the number of volunteer hours annually performed by volunteers and Reserve Constables.

Volunteer / Reserve Constable Hours (VicPD)

Source: VicPD

Training Hours per Officer (VicPD)

Average training hours is calculated by the total number of hours of training divided by the authorized strength.  All training is accounted for including training related to specialized positions such as the Emergency Response Team, and off-duty training required under the Collective Agreement.

Training Hours per Officer (VicPD)

Source: VicPD

Source: VicPD

Victoria Community Information

Strategic Plan Highlights 

Support Community Safety  

Enhance Public Trust  

Achieve Organizational Excellence 

In the first quarter of 2023 the Patrol Division and the Community Services Division implemented a significant two-year pilot restructuring the resources and workflow in each division. While more formal evaluations of the restructuring will take place in the future, the early indications are that the initiative has improved service delivery to the community, improved job satisfaction within the divisions, and reduced pressures on the Patrol Division.

The new deployment model has allowed members of Patrol more time for proactive work, which has included more foot patrols connecting with businesses and community members, and small projects targeting crimes of concern in our jurisdiction. One of these projects targeted the significant amount of shoplifting at some retailers in the downtown core and resulted in the arrest of 12 people and the return of more than $16,000 of new merchandise.

CSD’s new General Investigation Section (GIS) has resulted in quicker action on files that required investigative work, with dedicated investigators taking on complex files seven days per week. GIS officers had multiple significant files in Q1 ranging from search warrants that resulted in the seizure of multiple loaded firearms, kilograms of controlled substances and hundreds of thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise to the location and arrest of a high-risk offender arrested outside a school. More details on these files are below.

In the first quarter of 2023, we implemented an operational restructure. Most significantly, the Patrol Division and the Community Services Division implemented a two-year pilot to redistribute the resources and workflow in each division. While more formal evaluations of the restructuring will take place in the future, the early indications are that the initiative has improved service delivery to the community, improved job satisfaction within the divisions, and reduced pressures on the Patrol Division. 

The new deployment model has allowed members of Patrol more time for proactive work, which has included more foot patrols connecting with businesses and community members, and small projects targeting crimes of concern in our jurisdiction. One of these projects targeted the significant amount of shoplifting at some retailers in the downtown core and resulted in the arrest of 12 people and the return of more than $16,000 of new merchandise. 

CSD’s new General Investigation Section (GIS) has resulted in quicker action on files that require investigative work, with dedicated investigators taking on complex files seven days per week. GIS officers had multiple significant files in Q1 ranging from search warrants that resulted in the seizure of multiple loaded firearms, kilograms of controlled substances and hundreds of thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise to the location and arrest of a high-risk offender arrested outside a school. You’ll see that their work features prominently in our files of note and the full report on the website.

Another key success of 2023’s first quarter has been the launch of the Co-Responder Team. VicPD, in partnership with Island Health launched the Co-Response Team (CRT) which is a central response resource for calls involving presumed mental health issues. Part of the restructured CSD, this new program pairs a registered mental health clinician with a police officer to respond together to calls for service in Victoria and Esquimalt that involve a significant mental health component.

This team is already having a significant positive impact. They have handled approximately 250 files as primary investigators in Q1, 38 of which resulted in hospital admissions.

Files of note:

Significant files in Q1 fell under to broad themes: Recovery of stolen goods, illicit substances and weapons as we targeted retail theft and the increased gang activity in the area, and response to random attacks. In total, more than $190,000 in stolen goods, kilograms of illicit substances & weapons seized across multiple files targeting retail theft and drugs. 

Examples of files from the $190,000 recovered include – 

23-| Investigators Recover $94,000 In Stolen Merchandise, $19,000 In Currency And Over 2.5 Kilograms of Drugs During Investigation Into Organized Retail Theft Operation

On February 23, officers from VicPD’s General Investigation Section (GIS) recovered approximately $94,000 in stolen merchandise, $19,000 in Canadian currency and drugs after executing search warrants at two separate Victoria residences. These search warrants emerged from a January 2023 drug trafficking investigation during which officers uncovered a sophisticated retail theft operation involving a large amount of stolen property from downtown retailers and other Victoria businesses. 

Officers determined that individuals would contact a centralized phone number to arrange to “sell” stolen retail items in exchange for drugs. A “dispatcher” would appraise the items over the phone, usually at a fraction of their original retail value, and provide a value for the items in drugs. A driver would then meet the seller who would accept the stolen property in exchange for drugs. Individuals involved in the operation would often make requests or provide lists of desired items to property crime offenders. Several downtown businesses were targeted for specific retail merchandise.

On February 23, GIS investigators executed two search warrants at residences in the 700-block of Courtney Street and the 600-block of Speed Street. During these searches, investigators located approximately $94,000 in new retail merchandise including clothing and athletic wear, wallets, sunglasses, electronics, power tools, children’s toys and other personal accessories. A security tag remover and money counter were also located in one of the residences along with approximately 2.5 kilograms of drugs including cocaine and fentanyl and approximately $19,000 in Canadian currency. This file remains under investigation.

23-1945 | Over $11,000 In Stolen Merchandise Recovered During Project Targeting Downtown Retail Theft

Officers from VicPD’s Patrol division conducted a retail theft project which resulted in eight arrests and the recovery of over $11,000 in stolen merchandise.

Between January 17 and January 20, 2023 Patrol officers targeted shoplifters at a busy downtown retailer. Over the approximately 13-hour project, officers arrested eight people for theft under $5,000 and recovered over $11,000 in stolen merchandise. The individual incidents of theft ranged from $477 to $3,200. One suspect was already on conditions not to be in the area from a previous arrest for shoplifting at the same retailer less than three weeks earlier.

Another project saw 17 arrests and over $5,000 in recovered stolen property. Some of the suspects arrested were already on court ordered conditions related to shoplifting charges and other individuals had outstanding arrest warrants for theft.

VicPD recognizes the impact that retail theft has on the operation of businesses and retail outlets in Victoria and Esquimalt. We encourage retail outlets to continue to report retail theft and shoplifting either by calling the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1 or through our online reporting system at Report an Incident Online – VicPD.ca.

23-5005 | Man Arrested After Theft of Over $55,000 In Rare Books from Break and Enter

On February 9, officers attended to a report of break and enter that had occurred sometime overnight at a business in the 700-block of Fort Street. The business owners advised that over $55,000 in rare and expensive books had been stolen ranging in individual value from $400 to $10,000.

Working with information from the business owners and other community members, including CCTV footage, police learned that after the break and enter the suspect had tried to enter a multi-unit residential temporary housing facility in the 800-block of Johnson Street but was unsuccessful. In addition, the suspect left behind some of the stolen books in the 800-block of Johnson Street which were taken by another individual but eventually turned over to police.

Later that afternoon, officers located the suspect who matched the description from the CCTV footage. Upon arrest, the man was found in possession of approximately $22,000 in stolen books. Officers determined that he also had three outstanding arrest warrants in BC for offences that included Mischief Under $5000, Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000 and Break and Enter with Intent. He was held in custody to appear in court.

Over $11,000 In Stolen Property Recovered After Search Warrant Leads To Arrest

Files: 23-7488, 23-6079, 23-4898, 23-4869

A Victoria man who broke into multiple businesses across Greater Victoria, including the same technology company on Head Street in Esquimalt – twice – was arrested by officers. ​​

Following the break and enter investigations, staff with our Analysis and Intelligence Section (AIS) liaised with partners in the region and discovered potential links to number of similar break and enters. They identified a suspect and worked to locate him.

The suspect was located at a unit in a multi-unit residential supportive housing building in the 700-block of Queens Avenue. Officers obtained a search warrant for the unit and executed it on Friday, March 3, 2023. During the search, officers located property linking the suspect back to multiple break and enter investigations, and the suspect, hiding under a mattress. He was arrested and transported to VicPD cells. The value of the recovered stolen property is in excess of $11,000.

Upon confirming his identity, officers determined the suspect to be in multiple breaches of court-ordered conditions related to previous convictions.

The man faces 23 recommended charges.

Crimes against person files include:

23-8212 | Homicide Suspect Arrested

 On March 6, Patrol officers responded to a report of an assault at a residence in the 400-block of Chester Avenue. Attending officers found a 70-year-old man suffering from life-threatening injuries. The man was transported to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS).

While inside the residence, officers noted some potentially hazardous materials. Out of an abundance of caution, officers requested that the RCMP’s Clandestine Lab Enforcement And Response team (CLEAR) attend to ensure the residence was safe. A safety perimeter was established and roads in the area were closed to traffic. The CLEAR team attended and conducted testing to determine that it was safe to enter the building.

The suspect was arrested after attending a neighbouring police department. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries. Detectives arrested the suspect for murder. He remains in custody.  

23-5066 | GIS Officers Arrest High-Risk Offender Outside Middle School

GIS officers located a high-risk offender vehicle outside a middle school, despite being subject to an undertaking prohibiting them from being in areas where children may be present. The same offender faces charges for an alleged indecent act at an Esquimalt recreational facility. They were also located outside a community centre playground in Vic West and arrested for a second breach of the same conditions. 

23-8086, 23-8407, 23-8437, 22-43510 | Suspect in Arson Series Arrested

Officers have arrested a person who is suspected of having caused a number of arsons after observing the person conduct an arson early this morning.

At approximately 1:50 am today, officers were conducting surveillance in the 2900-block of Cedar Hill Road when they observed an arson suspect enter a BC Transit bus shelter. Flames were observed coming from the shelter and the suspect exited the shelter and left the area on foot. Officers with the team extinguished the flames and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was later tied to three other arson files and released on court-ordered conditions pending trial. They were later again arrested after violating these conditions. 

23-11588, 23-5628, 23-1197, 23-9795 | Officers respond to random assaults and stabbings. 

Throughout Q1 Patrol and GIS officers as well as Major Crime Unit (MCU) detectives all responded to calls for assaults, stabbings, assaults with weapons and knifepoint robberies. Many of these incidents occurred in Victoria’s downtown core and many of them were random; involving people unknown to each other. Multiple victims were transported to hospital with injuries ranging from significant head and facial injuries to potentially life-threatening stab wounds to broken bones. Where possible, officers relied on information from the public, victims, CCTV and partners, resulting in many arrests and the recommendation of charges. Many of these files remain under investigation or are now before the courts.

Crime prevention initiatives this quarter included a public information campaign reaching out to young men who are seeing a significant increase in being targeted for sextortion.

VicPD volunteers also participated in numerous Speed Watch deployments – seen here doing cell watch in partnership with ICBC on St Patrick’s Day.

VicPD officers and staff continued to participate in extensive community engagement, part of numerous events in a variety of roles. Chief Manak participated in just over 50 events, ranging attending the Black History Month Symposium, to dancing at the Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee Dance Party, to running in both the Wounded Warrior Run and the Michael Dunahee Keep the Hope Alive run. He was joined by VicPD officers and staff at many of these events. ​

​Community Engagement Highlights:​

Polar Plunge​

Of course, in the Q4 report, we highlighted our participation in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge where our VicPD Polar Plunge team raised an incredible $24,000 of the $50,000 total. We were also the largest team with 25 plungers!​

In February, we also held a “real or replica” firearms event. A VicPD firearms trainer and expert, along with Community Engagement Division staff, hosted a unique, hands-on event with local media to underscore the similarities in real and replica firearms seized by VicPD officers. ​

In March, officers and staff were key to the success of the Greater Victoria Police Foundation Police Camp event, which brought together young people and officers and staff from across Greater Victoria to learn fundamentals of teamwork, problem-solving and leadership. ​

We also welcomed newcomers to our Crime Watch and Front Desk volunteer groups. I continue to be impressed by the talent and skills and deep diversity that this already inclusive group bring as they give back to our community while representing VicPD. ​

VicPD continues to support public-initiated awareness campaigns, like sharing Pink Shirt Day’s anti-bullying message and celebrating women throughout the department on International Women’s Day. ​

Our Athletic Association also hosted a series of tournaments to help engage youth in sports.​

The Community Engagment Division has started to help Victoria Meet Your VicPD. These posts introduce officers, civilian staff and volunteers to the community we serve. Each profile shares a bit about the profiled person’s life, highlights their unique attributes and helps our the connections between our people and our communities grow a little bit closer. 

Current focus

Our current focus in Victoria is Project Downtown Connect. VicPD’s Community Services and Patrol Divisions began Project Downtown Connect, a six-week initiative to connect with local businesses and increase visible presence in the downtown area.

Since the start of the project, officers have been visiting local businesses and listening to their concerns, including the impact that retail theft, property crime and street disorder has on their business operations. They have also been providing tips on keeping their businesses safe.

Project Downtown Connect builds on the successful Downtown Connect and Holiday Connect series which began in late 2019. These projects were created in response to concerns from businesses about retail theft, mischief, and aggressive behaviour in the downtown core. 

Project Downtown Connect has officers out on foot engaging with businesses seven days a week until June 30.

At the end of the first quarter we are 1.8 per cent over the budget approved by councils, driven in part by non-controllable expenditures subject to budget cuts such as professional services, building maintenance and retirement expenditures. Additionally, expenditures are over budget for protective clothing and training, but under in equipment, communications and general operating expenditures. Wages and overtime are within budget as we prioritize resourcing of the front line and implement a pilot project to streamline our operational resources.