True Blue Podcast

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Guest host Daryl Baswick talks with Detective Bratzer who currently works in the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit and is well known for his successful BC Human Rights Tribunal case against the Victoria Police Department in 2013 - case heard in 2015 and decision released on 4/20/2016.  He served as President of L.E.A.P.  (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) and has given evidence in front of the Senate to advocate for changes to drug laws.

Dave tells the world he learned to drive during his Block II training and over the following couple years as a patrol officer.  Great story about working with Murray Bayles.

Detective Bratzer talks about suffering an OSI (Operational Stress Injury) while investigating a file in the homicide unit.   He highlights the need for officers to feel supported by the employer, your family and your colleagues.

The VCPU is thankful to Dave for standing up for everyone's right to express their political beliefs!

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

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

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-       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 

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Join us on this episode and hear Jeff Bray talk about his vision for a vibrant and diverse downtown core in Victoria.  Jeff is the Executive Director at the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) and has great insight on street disorder problems and his opinion on decentralizing services that support the homeless population should be heard.  The DVBA  wants the BC Provincial Government to move quickly on implementing complex care  supports for the addicted and mentally ill people living in a toxic environment.  Downtown Victoria should not be a scary place to work or visit.  

The DVBA  continues to work with the police on initiatives like "Block Watch for Business" and deploys their "Clean Team" throughout the downtown core to promote safety and cleanliness.  The VCPU wants to thank the over 1300 members of the DVBA for their support.

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 

Send us Fan Mail

This is an excellent interview with Tom Woods, Committee Chair of the Esquimalt Ribfest which occurs 10-12 September 2021 at Bullen Park in Esquimalt.
https://www.esquimaltribfest.com/welcome/
https://www.facebook.com/EsquimaltRibfest
Esquimalt Ribfest (@EsqRibFest) | Twitter
Ribfest supports the Esquimalt Firefighters Charitable Foundation and partners with SD61 with a goal of putting in a turf field facility at Esquimalt High School.  https://www.esquimaltribfest.com/es-whoy-malth-community-field-collaboration/

Special thanks to these sponsors of the Esquimalt Ribfest. 
https://www.onni.com/
https://farmer-ltd.com/
https://brewiselectric.com/

Tom is a long time Esquimalt resident and former Esquimalt Police/Fire member who served his community throughout a long and distinguished career.  Tom was a member of the VCPU in 2003 during the police amalgamation of Victoria and Esquimalt.  Tom's dedication to supporting youth sports and giving back to his community is second to none. 
His efforts as a founding member of Rock Solid and the WITS Program have garnered national recognition and focusses on preventing youth violence and anti-bullying. https://witsprogram.ca/about-us/

Plan to visit Esquimalt Ribfest for great food and to support these great causes.  On Saturday night hear the headliner band "Bad Moon Riders" and enjoy recognition efforts for frontline nurses and Emma Entzminger, from Canada's Bronze Medal Softball Team.

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 

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The Executive Director of Restorative Justice (RJ) Victoria drops into the podcast studio to talk about this important alternative measures program.  Gillian Lindquist has been working with Restorative Justice since 2009.  http://www.rjvictoria.com/

"Restorative Justice is a set of principles and values about how to deal with a harm or wrongdoing."  There is an opportunity for the people involved in the offense to sit down and talk about what happened, but the offender must have already committed to accepting responsibility for their actions and this is an opportunity to make things right.

The VCPU wants the provincial government to properly fund these programs and provide suitable training to the police to properly prepare our members for the RJ process.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/understanding-criminal-justice/restorative-justice

Police play an important role in determining which offenders or events are referred through for an RJ resolution.

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 

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Guest host Daryl Baswick interviews retired Sergeant Shannon Perkins and current Manager of By-Law and Licensing Services for the City of Victoria.    Shannon has 30 years policing experience with London (Ontario) Police, Esquimalt Police and Fire and VicPD.  She talks about her memories of investigating the Reena Virk (14 year old teen) homicide file, managing the High Risk Offender program at VicPD and finishing her career as the Traffic Section Sergeant.  Her career in policing prepared her for her current role managing By-Law Services for the City of Victoria; she has been at the helm throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and managed all the related challenges.    Shannon loves her motorcycle and laughing with friends away from work; we wish continued success and safety to Shannon and her By-Law Services staff.

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 

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Sgt. Calvin Ewer is the NCO in charge of the newly formed Integrated Canine Section (ICS).  The K-9 handlers and their police service dogs are valuable resources to Patrol Officers in both VicPD and Saanich PD.  Everyone likes to talk about dogs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4qHBTBek8
https://twitter.com/ics_k9

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 

Send us Fan Mail

We talk with Peter Ciceri, a psychotherapist and trauma counsellor certified in the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) to manage trauma and PTSD.  His practice is generally used by first responders and he's really beginning to understand the struggles Police Officers are dealing with on a daily basis.  He says the brain can't distinguish between a psychical injury or an emotional injury, so get treatment or help for that injury.

He knows the goal for every police department is "to have a high functioning police force not suffering from PTSD or trauma" and he can help meet that goal. 
His website is: http://www.ciceri.com/

Peter also wants to remind police officers that "getting mental health assistance is not a weakness".  

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 

Send us Fan Mail

**Update**
On Tuesday October 5th 2021, the BC Government agreed to fund Trikafta as new medication for many people living with Cystic Fibrosis.    The VCPU is happy to see this announcement.

Sgt. Dale Sleightholme is passionate about a new miracle medication for those living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and the reason is that his son has been living with CF his whole life and he wants him to be able to  live a long life.  Dale is advocating to have Provincial Governments approve the distribution of Trikafta; this new medication has recently been approved by Health Canada.  You will hear Dale describe what kids/adults with CF have to struggle with; a severely reduced lung capacity and how they will die without this new medication. 

We are also joined by serving Winnipeg Police officer Jeremy Vosbourgh who lives with CF - we want Jeremy to be able to complete his police career and enjoy a healthy retirement and see him get access to Trikafta. 

Go to this page to sign the petition to approve Trikafta:
https://action.cysticfibrosis.ca/page/81341/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=webbanner&_ga=2.127899211.779444189.1621289247-627863890.1621289247
Talk to your local MLA to voice your support to have this medication available to save lives!

https://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/news/health-canada-approval-of-transformational-cystic-fibrosis-medication-brings-hope-to-cf-community?p=1

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 

Send us Fan Mail

We talk with Tanya Silletta from E-Comm 9-1-1 and a long time VicPD Communications Centre employee.  Tanya gives her views on what a call-taker or dispatcher has to deal with in today's busy 9-1-1 world.  The job done within that field is critical to the success of any first responder attending calls for service.   
VCPU members are thankful for the dedicated employees at E-Comm for the great job they do 24/7.
Remember don't call 9-1-1 to ask when the next earthquake will be!

https://twitter.com/EComm911_info
https://www.instagram.com/ecomm911_info/
https://www.facebook.com/EComm911info
https://www.ecomm911.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 

Send us Fan Mail

Hear from Special Constable Eric Hinrichsen on the difficult job he and other guards have in caring for prisoners in the VicPD cells.  Working in the cells environment is often  an under appreciated roll within the VCPU.  Eric's stories about growing up on Vancouver Island playing basketball at UVIC and for Team Canada in the Olympics are pretty cool.  

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