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We chat with Chantal Ziegler as her 33 years of policing is coming to an end.  Chantal joined the RCMP in 1990 at 21 years old, she attended her basic training at Depot in Regina as part of an all French speaking troop.  Upon graduating, the RCMP decided to post her to the small Hamlet of Evansburg, Alberta an all English and Portuguese community!  One of her favourite memories in the RCMP was being trained for the Musical Ride and being posted to Banff where she was photographed for the front page of National Geographic.  In 1999, Chantal joined the Calgary Police Service.  More importantly she met her future husband at the Calgary Stampede!  After a few years in Calgary, Chantal relocated to Victoria and joined VicPD.  Chantal enjoyed working in Esquimalt as the Community Resource Officer (CRO), in the Detective Division as the Missing Persons Coordinator, as an ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Officer, as an Under Cover Officer (UCO) and with the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) as a Crisis Negotiator.
Chantal plans to be back working soon but not before she travels to Spain to trek on the Camino Trails.  We wish her luck in her post policing career.
https://followthecamino.com/en/camino-de-santiago-routes/

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):

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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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We talk basketball with Cst. Jenna Carver and celebrate 50 years of high school basketball tournaments put on by the Victoria City Police Athletic Association (VCPAA).
Jenna played college basketball for the VIU Mariners and grew up in Nanaimo, BC.  She headed the organizing committee this year on behalf of the VCPAA and hopes to grow the tournament over the next 50 years!
The VCPAA also hosts a local high school golf tournament and provides scholarships to student athletes for their post-secondary education.
The Athletic Association would like to thank the following groups for their support of this years' tournament: Greater Victoria Police Foundation; VicPD Reserve Officer Program; St. Michaels University School; Passion Sports; Showcase Awards; Referees from Basketball Victoria.
https://www.facebook.com/VCPAthleticAssociation/

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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Get to know the 2023 VicPD Spokesperson a bit better in this episode.  Cst. Terri Healy has been a police officer for the past 14 years.   She is a mother of two and loves working with and for the public.   Terri discusses the mindset required to be a new mom and returning to police work after 18 months off the road and everything that could come with that.  We spend a few minutes hearing Terri's opinions related to some of the dehumanizing behaviour she's experienced while wearing a police uniform.  Hear Terri's thoughts on the necessity of police humour and funny stories from the street.  We also get into some thoughtful comments about member wellness and resiliency.

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 President and new Vice-President of the Victoria City Police Union joined us in studio to talk about 2022 in review.  Len Hollingsworth has now completed his 2nd of a 3 year term as President and Dave Jorgensen was recently acclaimed as the new Vice President of the Union replacing S/Sgt. Mike Johnston.  We thank Mike for his service to the members of the Union and send him good wishes for his retirement.

Municipal Elections, Contract Bargaining, a Police Board resignation, recruiting & retention, the June 28th bank robbery, as well as updates from the BC Police Association and the Canadian Police Association are all covered in this episode.

We also wrap up with our choices of best episodes in 2022.

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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Former Police Officer Elenore Sturko joins us in studio to talk about her recent election to the Provincial Legislature and becoming the new representative for the residents of Surrey South.  Elenore has a very diverse background and appears to be ready for her new position as MLA.  Her experiences in policing make her a valuable asset to the official opposition which continues to hold the government accountable on important issues such as public safety. 
https://twitter.com/elenoresturko 

Interview Details:

2:30       Family influence to join the RCMP

4:20       Worked in TV and Radio

4:40       Served in the Royal Canadian Air Force

4:55       Joined the RCMP – working in Langley first

7:50       Would love to become the Sol. Gen.

9:00       Describes involvement in police media relations and then to the Diversity Unit

13:25    LGTQB rights in the RCMP – story about Sgt. Dave Van Norman

19:11    Coming out as Lesbian in her early 20’s and the stigma attached to that

23:00    Published her uncle’s diary about his police experiences and donates the proceeds to residential school survivors and young students in Nunavut schools

31:15    Discussion about being elected and the skills a former police officer brings to the role

35:30    Gang violence and the out of control illicit drug trade

37:00    Overdose deaths and lack of access to treatment

41:54    Mental Health Outreach Teams – need police to be involved

47:00    Recent announcement by NDP Government to reduce chronic repeat offenders?

52:40    Updated Crown directive regarding bail conditions and charge approval

59:00    David Eby tries to tell people “he hit the ground running” – Elenore has her doubts

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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We get to know Sgt. Joan Elliott a bit better on this episode.  Her current assignment is to manage the difficult job of recruiting new officers, jail guards, special constables and reserves.  Joan has served her Country as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces; she played rugby in university and after watching the TV show “Cops” she decided to apply at VicPD in October 2000.

Her career includes time in Patrol, the Mountain Bike Squad, Detectives, Regional Crime Unit, and the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit.  Joan enjoyed the change of scenery when she worked in integrated units around Greater Victoria.  Joan was also a long time member of the Public Safety Unit (PSU) and specialized in the tactical less lethal squad and the search team.

Joan shares some personal insight into being a mom and police officer working shift work while being married to another police officer.  The VicPD recruiting process can be lengthy and challenging but Joan takes time to highlight the positive work environment she’s enjoyed and great support from the community.

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. Musicco currently serves as the Tactical Team Leader of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT).  We’re happy that he recently joined us in studio to chat about how he and his team are doing after a very busy and traumatic past few months.  Six tactical team members were wounded by gunfire on 28 June 2022 in Saanich.  The GVERT serves Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Oak Bay and Central Saanich.
JJ has spent 13 of his 18 years of policing in uniform on the front lines, and his service on the tactical unit of GVERT has been 12 years.  He believes that police officers who choose to join GVERT are making an extraordinary commitment to their community.  GVERT deals with many high stress and potentially very traumatic events anytime of the day and every day of the year.  
JJ talks about some of his feelings surrounding the resolution of the high-end critical incident on 28 June 2022.  Every day the GVERT is an important line of defense in keeping the citizens of Greater Victoria sheltered from violence, and unfortunately even with great training and preparation some members of GVERT suffered life altering injuries on that day.  GVERT and many other police officers who responded that day need to be recognized as heroes – they kept us 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 

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While attending the 2022 BC Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Weekend in Victoria, we got a chance to speak with Sgt. Mark McKinnell, President of the Delta Police Association.  Mark has worked in Victoria and Esquimalt during his 21 years of policing but has served the remainder of his time with the Delta Police Department.  Mark grew up in Campbell River, BC but seems to like mainland life more!

Mark and his Delta Police Association executive finalized their collective agreement (CA) in 2022 and he believes Delta members now have the best CA in Canada.  Delta Police officers enjoy a very supportive relationship with their Mayor, Council and Police Board. 

Sgt. McKinnell is currently seconded to CFSEU and specifically the Covert Asset Support Team which provides support to police agencies throughout the province needing help or resources for complex investigations.  

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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Sergeant Joan Elliott outlines the Victoria Police Department’s recruiting process for new recruits and for experienced officers looking to work in Victoria and Esquimalt.  She mentions that VicPD is hiring for Civilian positions and often needs to replace Jail Guards, SMC’s and Reserve volunteers, so go to https://vicpd.ca/joinvicpd/ to learn more about all the opportunities.

VicPD offers very competitive wages and benefits, good long-term opportunities for promotion and a good variety of work within the different sections of the department.  There is a positive and fun work environment in the building and around Victoria and Esquimalt you’ll meet lots of fantastic citizens who support the police.

https://vicpd.ca/joinvicpd/sworn/

https://vicpd.ca/joinvicpd/civilians/

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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We hear from Detective Sergeant Dean Jantzen of the Saanich Police Association and current Councillor for The City of Colwood.  Dean has over 26 years service in policing and 4 years of experience in his current Council position.  We talk about some highlights of his police career and even more about his community involvement and vision for Colwood as he stands for re-election.
Dean’s experience as the media relations officer for the Saanich Police and 10 years of service on the Executive of the Saanich Police Association provide him solid knowledge that relates to work as a Municipal Councillor.  He’s campaigning on a public safety platform of course which compliments the other great work being done at Colwood Council.
To learn more about Dean go to:

https://deanjantzen.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/councillorjantzen/

https://twitter.com/deanforcolwood

or send him an email at: [email protected]

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