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

Chief Constable Julie Chanin is the first ever female Chief of any police department in Greater Victoria.  Julie started her policing career in January 2000 as part of the millennial troop at the RCMP Training Depot in Regina.  Julie’s RCMP career was spent on Vancouver Island, first in Port McNeil for 5 years and then to the Westshore for another 7 years before making the transition to Oak Bay.  Julie served as Union President in Oak Bay before taking the Deputy Chief job and ultimately the Chief Constable’s position in 2024.

Chief Chanin is obviously very committed to her community and her people and it was a pleasure to have her kick-off our Area Chiefs Series.

Episode 2: Chief Ian Lawson – Central Saanich Police Service                     05 Sep

Episode 3: Superintendent Todd Preston – Westshore Detachment           12 Sep

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

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

https://oakbaypolice.org/careers/

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 this episode, we chat with Andy Dunstan to discuss his brilliant idea to create the End2End Cycling Relay in support of Island Kids Cancer Association (ICKA).  Andy is a former police officer and has been supporting kids with cancer for over 20 years.  He talks about how this unique fundraising event got started, the goals of supporting local families stricken by childhood cancer and so much more about how the inaugural ride with 7 of his friends over 1000 kilometers in less than 48 hours came to fruition.  

Best of all they surpassed the goal of raising $100,000 for ICKA!

How to donate to Island Kids Cancer Association: https://ikca.ca/donate/

Visit the End2End webpage for more info: https://www.end2endcancer.com/

ICKA supported by Trek Bicycle Store: https://www.trekbikesvictoria.com/

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

Will Dodds is the host of the ForensicsWorld Podcast and a recently retired Sergeant from the Saanich Police Department.  Will began his police career in 2002, worked in Patrol Division to learn the basics and later was drawn to being a “crash analyst” in the Traffic Section, then transferred over to the Forensic Section as a Constable, and afterward was lucky enough to be promoted and to finish his police career as the NCO in charge of the Forensics Section.

Since retiring from Saanich Police, Will has decided to pass along his forensic experiences and knowledge to any interested listener through the ForensicsWorld Podcast.  Links to his podcast and Instagram page are attached.

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/forensicsworld/id1813755329

https://www.instagram.com/forensicsworld/?hl=en

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

On this episode of the True Blue Podcast, host Matt Waterman talks specifics about the Ron Kirkwood Police Act decision.   It’s clear the BC Police Act process has failed again.  Hear a little bit about how things unfolded over the past close to 6 years and most importantly learn a little bit about Ron Kirkwood, Medal of Valour recipient.

https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comment-system-failed-everyone-in-lisa-rauch-case-10809432

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 True Blue Podcast is proud to introduce Cst. Tyrus Sleightholme (Class #174) and so happy to see him achieving his goal of serving as a police officer.  Tyrus was born with Cystic Fibrosis and thankfully remained healthy as a child, fortunately once he received the live changing medication “Trikafta” his goal of becoming a police officer became very achievable. 

Tyrus was very active in sports as a kid and even played college baseball before getting the new medicine.  He comes to VicPD with previous experience working as a By-Law Officer and you’ll hear about his compassion for people and his drive to serve the public.  Thank you to his proud father, retired Sergeant Dale Sleightholme for sharing his memories and some anecdotes about Tyrus. 

Good luck to Tyrus in his policing career.  Go "Red Sox"!

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