The True Blue Podcast wraps up Season 5 with Host Tom Stamatakis interviewing the VCPU President Angela Van Eerd.  Hear them discuss the successes and challenges of 2025.  Furthermore, they look into the future and discuss what Contract Bargaining and Crime Fighting will look like in 2026.

Ang and Tom make it clear that the complaint process needs to be better, the lengthy delays are weighing on the membership and arguably it’s also hampering recruitment of new officers to the profession.

The Victoria City Police Union is so thankful for all the listeners of the podcast who support the efforts of the Union.  We all believe that the policing profession is the best and that our members deserve praise for being brave and keeping our communities safe.

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

Great interview with two NPF (National Police Federation) representatives, Rob Farrer - VP Pacific Region and Chirs Voller - Director Pacific Region.

https://npf-fpn.com/

The National Police Federation is the sole certified bargaining agent for regular Members and reservists of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police below the rank of Inspector. The NPF was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. We are the largest police labour relations organization in Canada, the second largest in North America and the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members. 

Mission:
To provide strong, fair, and progressive representation to promote and enhance the rights of RCMP Members.

Vision:
RCMP Members are recognized as the best police officers in the world and are compensated accordingly.

Values:
Loyalty

Our Members’ best interests will always govern our decisions and actions.

Productivity

We focus on solutions for Members, applying evidence and best practice through an ethical framework.

Innovation

We are open to new opinions, new ideas and new ways of getting things done.

Inclusivity

We welcome Members of all communities. We are transparent and collaborative in achieving our objectives.

Collaboration

The NPF and our Members are committed to providing police services that support safer and more liveable communities, large and small.

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

Dr. Lydia Vallieres - "Just F*ucking Do It" - A No Bullshit Survival Guide For First Responders - What The Academy Didn't Teach You.

Hope you enjoy these episodes with Dr. Lydia as we talk about her book and experiences working with first responders on their mental well-being.

Seven Parts of the Book

1.         The Hidden Toll of the Job

2.         Cognitive Survival

3.         Nervous System & Emotional Regulation

4.         Psychological Injury & Repair

5.         Strength That Holds

6.         Protecting Your Relationships

7.         Building Your Life Beyond the Badge

https://www.drlydiainc.ca/

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

Dr. Lydia Vallieres - "Just F*ucking Do It" - A No Bullshit Survival Guide For First Responders - What The Academy Didn't Teach You.

Hope you enjoy these episodes with Dr. Lydia as we talk about her book and experiences working with first responders on their mental well-being.

Seven Parts of the Book

1.         The Hidden Toll of the Job

2.         Cognitive Survival

3.         Nervous System & Emotional Regulation

4.         Psychological Injury & Repair

5.         Strength That Holds

6.         Protecting Your Relationships

7.         Building Your Life Beyond the Badge

https://www.drlydiainc.ca/

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

Sgt. Ron Kirkwood joined VicPD in 2009 after serving his country in the Royal Canadian Air Force.  Ron's career includes time in Patrol, walking the Beat in the downtown core and a number of years on the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT).  

In this episode Ron talks about his journey through the Police Discipline Process after discharging his ARWEN which unfortunately resulted in a death, he explains the excessively long investigations he went through, the ups and downs of thinking it was over and lastly the effect it had on him and his family.   Nearly 6 years passed during this review - far too long.

Ron has returned to work now and we wish him well in his future career aspirations.  

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

The VCPU is pleased to add this episode to the Greater Victoria Area Chiefs Series and introduce the first ever female Chief Constable for the Victoria Police Department, Fiona Wilson!  Host, Tom Stamatakis helps us all to get to know Chief Wilson a little bit better.

Chief Wilson talks about the Esquimalt & Victoria “framework agreement” and how in her view it isn’t working well, specifically for the needs of either community or the police department.  Tom and Fiona talk about her life before policing and then her progression through the ranks at the Vancouver Police Department.  Chief Wilson goes through several other important topics relating to policing.   Including a good discussion about amalgamation and the concerns and/or benefits that it brings in terms of investigations and for levels of service for communities. 

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

In the final episode of this series, we got a chance to chat with Chief Del Manak before he sailed off into retirement.  Chief Manak made it through a 35-year policing career and spent the past nearly 10 years as the Chief Constable.  A graduate of JIBC Class #44, recruited by Vancouver Police, however Del spent the majority of his career with the Victoria Police Department.

Del tells us about his career path and some details about why he chose police work.  It becomes clear that giving back to his community was very important to him.  You’ll hear a great quote from Del about some of the differences in police resourcing in Vancouver and Victoria.  He also reflects on some of the great times working with Sgt. Doug Bond (a great mentor and legend).

Over the years, Chief Manak found himself challenging the antipolice rhetoric coming from elected officials; for many years the public sentiment was that they couldn’t believe how patient he was in that process.  Chief Manak is not proud of turning over an under resourced police department to Chief Wilson.  He believes VicPD needs at least an additional 35 to 40 officers.

We talk about many other important topics and get some stark opinions from Del.  

The True Blue Podcast wishes Chief Manak and his family a long and happy retirement.

“Go Islanders”

https://vicpd.ca/

https://truebluevic.ca/

https://www.taylorswift.com/

https://www.nhl.com/islanders/

** Bonus Area Chiefs Episode with Chief Fiona Wilson **             10 Oct 2025

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

Thanks to Chief Dean Duthie from Saanich Police for participating in our podcast series.  Dean is the 18th Chief of Police for Saanich since 1906.  Chief Duthie had a variety of experiences throughout his career progression.  His skills took him to many important investigative roles that included the Saanich Drug Enforcement Team and the Major Crime Unit.

As many of our listeners know, Saanich Police members ran towards the sound of gunfire during the 2022 bank robbery in their jurisdiction.  Many of them suffered physical, emotional and psychological injuries but gratefully it seems like Saanich Police have worked hard to limit the long-term damage.   Dean reflects on that horrible incident during this episode.

We get some insight from Dean on the state of policing and the criminal justice system.  He perceives the rapid changes in communications, new equipment, appropriate funding and lastly the breakdowns in systems around the world of policing and subsequent downloading of services that police should not be involved in.

Episode 5: Chief Del Manak – Victoria Police Department                               26 Sep

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

It was great to chat with Todd before his retirement from his RCMP career which started over 28 years ago.  After graduating from Depot, the RCMP sent him to Alberta as a young officer.  In fact, he was so young that the Mounties sent him to work as an undercover operator because of those young looks!  His career continued in the Yukon and throughout BC for a few years before his promotion to Sergeant which landed him in the Westshore Detachment.  He had a few short-term jobs within the E Division office in Victoria before returning as Detachment Commander in Westshore.

Todd’s current position as “police chief” is one of the most complex in Canada, specifically he reports to 7 different governing bodies. (5 municipalities and 2 first nations) The Detachment strength is 125 members and becoming busier every year.  They provide members with good work options both locally and to Nunavut in an officer exchange program that is unique in the RCMP.

We take time to chat about important things police do in his community and Todd makes a point to shout out Cole Brewer for his hard work with so many SD62 students.  We reflected on the death of Constable Sarah Beckett (Todd was her former Watch Commander) and how thankful he was to have the community support his members and Sarah’s family over the years.  It sounds like the Detachment is in good spirits and is ready to step up to the next challenges.

Todd will be building homes in retirement so give him a call if you need those services:  https://www.qualisbuilders.ca/

Episode 4: Chief Dean Duthie – Saanich Police Department                   19 Sep 2025

Episode 5: Chief Del Manak – Victoria Police Department                        26 Sep 2025

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast

Chief Constable Ian Lawson started his policing career in the RCMP back in 1988.  He’s spent most of his RCMP career on Vancouver Island and after 32 years’ service he accepted the Chief Constable position in Central Saanich.  Ian was the Primary Investigator on the BC Rail corruption scandal where Bribery and Fraud charges were pursued.  

One of Ian’s favourite career moves was to become the Detachment Commander in Shawnigan Lake, a position he relates closely to his current job in Central Saanich.  Recruiting new officers to Central Saanich has been a challenge for the past number of years but they’ve been able to secure 2 or 3 seats for recruits to attend the JIBC this year and next.  Central Saanich has not signed on to the integrated K-9 service but does have several opportunities for his members to work in other integrated units.

Ian tells a story about how repeat criminals on court conditions used to be held in custody and how now it’s frustrating to see the Bail Reform Act not being applied correctly.  Chief Lawson mentioned his concerns about hospital wait times and ability to respond to crime on the water.  We get Ian to chat about Regionalization/Amalgamation/Integration from his perspective.  

https://www.cspolice.ca/

Episode 3: Superintendent Todd Preston – Westshore Detachment    12 Sep 2025

Episode 4: Chief Dean Duthie – Saanich Police Department                  19 Sep 2025

Episode 5: Chief Del Manak – Victoria Police Department                       26 Sep 2025

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union

- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/

- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/

- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/

- Email us at [email protected] for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast