True Blue Podcast

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**Trigger Warning**

This episode discusses the topic of a bank robbery and shooting where 2 people died and multiple others were seriously injured, some of the content may be distressing to the listener.  This series of episodes was created with the objective that talking about the subject could in part provide the listener with more information about the event from many different perspectives.  It could also provide the police officers, their families and others that were involved with an avenue to come forward and talk about their experiences and to encourage others suffering from mental or emotional distress to seek trauma support by reaching out to a professional or an advocate.

On this episode we’re joined by John Musicco, the former GVERT Tactical Team Leader, who tells his story about what took place on 28 June 2022.  He was one of the six police officers shot that day and was fortunate to not be seriously physically injured.  You never know what a police officer will deal with on any given shift.

John’s description of the events that day provide a real perspective of the obstacles police faced that horrible day.  

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

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VCPU Director Tom Stamatakis hosts this episode with repeat guest Cst. Mark Jenkins who serves as a "Community Resource Officer" in downtown Victoria.  Mark's perspective comes from his expansive frontline experience and excellent insight into the issues the public sees and hears about.
 The host, Tom Stamatakis also relates his experiences after working an overtime shift in the Pandora Avenue area and how much worse things have become since he last worked on the road.  Tom and Mark go into depth about Mark's recent trip to New York City which hosted a "homeless study" for police and other service providers working with homeless populations.  Much of the conversation focuses on what Victoria is doing wrong and may be shocking for people to hear.
Question - “Mark what are the biggest issues we face on the streets of Victoria?” Answer: “Drugs, Drugs, Drugs!”
Reportedly it takes 6-9 months to get into a drug treatment bed in the Victoria area.  The routine includes putting addicts asking for help back into the "wet shelter" community where drugs are widespread.  New York City has a much different perspective on how to manage these issues and Mark shares some of his thoughts.
What is the overall impact on the community of the large homeless encampments becoming entrenched in our parks?  Mark shares a couple of stories that should enlighten the listener.

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

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In the 3rd and final part of this 3 part series with Retired Staff Sergeant Chris Horsley we go over a few topics that are currently in the news.

The complex policing issue in Surrey BC.

Amalgamation in the Greater Victoria area.

Safe Supply – not a true description of what’s happening on the streets.

Breaching Court Orders and continued lack of accountability; resulting in police having to use firearms to bring a situation to a conclusion.

Bank Robbery and shootout with Police in Saanich last year on 28 June 2022.

Police Officers dealing with trauma.

Police informing and educating the public through the media.

Chris talks about the support for the police in Oak Bay, BC.

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

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In Part 2 of the series, with Retired Staff Sergeant Chris Horsley, we chat about some of the more interesting police investigations he touched during his career.  Many of these have unique circumstances that highlight the difficulties police officers face regularly when investigating.  Chris reflects on some the details he remembers.

Topics:

Peter Lee Homicide – King George Terrace

Rocket Scientist – Attempt Murder in Saanich

DNA Submissions through GEDmatch

1990 Murder of 18 yr old Cheri Lynn Smith

Missing Person December 8, 1973 – Carmen Robinson

Not guilty of infanticide in 2011 – Narumi Bito

2008 murder of real estate agent Lindsay Buziak

RCMP Shooting investigation in Surrey, BC

Catch and Release – Criminal Justice System

Bill C-48 Proposed Changes – predicts less effectiveness than being purported

Crown Counsel lack of accountability

Judicial lack of accountability

Treatment programs and facilities to help manage unaddressed mental health and addiction issues

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

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We chat with Retired Staff Sergeant Chris Horsley about his career path and some of the finer details of what he got involved in while serving the community of Saanich for the 29 years.
Chris was born and raised in Victoria, he credits the Police Reserve Program for creating an interest in a policing career.  His experience includes spending time in School Liaison, Crime Prevention, Youth Detectives all while serving as the media relations officer in a part-time capacity for most of those years.  The murder of Reena Virk was easily the most high profile and challenging case he dealt with while serving in the media role.
The majority of Chris' career was spent in the Major Crime Unit and he finished his policing career as the Detective Staff Sergeant.  After his retirement in February 2022, Chris was enticed to take on a "Special Municipal Constable" position with the Oak Bay Police.  In his spare time you'll find him in his shop working on some of the vintage cars he treasures!

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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-       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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Meet Cst. Sarah Kaufman one of the 5 new recruits in Class #170.  Sarah is a former 5X World Bantamweight MMA Champion, she had an impressive 17 year career in the MMA fight world.  Sarah originally went to University to become a cardiovascular surgeon but later decided that working in a laboratory wasn’t going to be for her.  During Sarah’s fight career she spent a lot of time teaching young kids martial arts skills to help them prepare for life!
Moving to a policing career became the new challenge for her and with her self-confidence and need for structure and upholding rules she committed to getting hired.  Sarah has a great attitude and arrives to VicPD as a mature recruit with lot of life experience.  Police use of force training has evolved over the years and due to the increase of MMA training amongst the general population, police officers need to be properly prepared.
Sarah is looking forward to a diverse policing career but admits she’ll never be a K-9 handler!  In her spare time Sarah is an avid jig-saw puzzler and enjoys the challenge of difficult puzzles.  Sarah will continue to participate in the BC Law Enforcement Memorial “Run to Remember” and encourages others to join her on Saturday 23 September for the last 11 kilometers in support of Fallen Police Officers.

https://bclem.ca/
5th Annual BC Law Enforcement Memorial Run to Remember – West Coast

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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-       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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Learn more about the new Co-Response Team (CRT) - a partnership between VicPD and Island Health.  The CRT has been up and operational since early 2023 and is intended to be "a central response resource for calls involving presumed mental health issues."
https://vicpd.ca/2023/01/30/island-health-and-vicpd-launch-co-response-team/

Our guests help describe the role and effectiveness of the CRT and discuss many other aspects surrounding the challenges of mental health issues on our streets.  Rob Schuckel, Coordinator of Acute Access and Crisis Response Services at Island Health and Cst. Tristan Williams (CRT officer) have great insight and experience to share with our listeners.

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 Victoria City Police Union (VCPU) is honoured to share a discussion with other Canadian Police Podcasters on this unique episode of the True Blue Podcast.

"10-5" - Ontario Provincial Police Association - Josh Jutras & Scott Mills
"10-33" - Nathan Kapler (former RCMP)
"Bend Don't Break" - Delta Police - Chief Neil Dubord
"The Quiet Professional" - Edmonton Police - Nathan Romas

https://www.instagram.com/tenthirtythreeco/

https://www.instagram.com/deltapd/

https://www.instagram.com/edmontonpoliceassociation/

https://www.instagram.com/oppassociation/

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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Daryl Baswick interviews Staff Sergeant Jennifer Ames in this fantastic episode.  Jen talks about her time in the Homicide Unit and the day she got a confession from the killer - but don't stop listening - she gets another confession for a previous murder as well! (Traigo Andretti — convicted for the 2013 homicide of Jennifer McPherson, to whom he was married, and for the 2006 killing of Myrna Letandre — he later died by suicide in his cell in a Saskatchewan psychiatric facility.)
S/Sgt. Ames is a 27 year member and currently assigned to the Professional Standards Unit at VicPD.  Jen is also the VicPD representative on the Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee; when you hear her background and experience you'll know why.
We also learn that Jen (as well as other VicPD members) have taken to Beekeeping in their spare time - fascinating to hear her talk about the life of the beehive.  She shares her thoughts and insights on topics like Harm Reduction, drug investigations, what female police officers face in their career, how much dedication and love goes into being involved in the Tour de Rock event and her personal experiences of police managing PTSD.  As a Watch Commander in Patrol, Jen observed numerous times where police officers would deal with multiple traumatic incidents in their shift.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of René Soto-Taylor.  RIP

https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/victoria-boy-had-9-short-years-lived-to-the-fullest-4625753

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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-       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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Angela Van Eerd and Fiona Ford take over hosting duties of the True Blue Podcast and decide to interview regular host Matt Waterman.
Matt served VicPD from 1991-2022 and is most proud of his 15 years of service on the Executive of the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU).

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