By Canadian Press

Victoria police chief says dispatch calls on priority basis amid pressures

Jul 31, 2019 | 1:42 PM

VICTORIA — The Victoria Police Department is rethinking its priorities after Victoria and Esquimalt councils couldn’t be convinced to increase the police budget.

Chief Const. Del Manak says cost and staff pressures are forcing the department to transform its service delivery model to deploy resources to meet the statutory duties of protecting life and property and enforcing the law in Victoria and Esquimalt.

Manak says major crimes like homicides, assaults and robberies will still receive top priority but patrols of local parks, responses to neighbourhood issues and after hours animal complaints could face delays.

The chief says the department is considering adjusting current patrol units, appointing special constables, who don’t carry guns, to respond to lower priority calls and eliminating police liaison officers at local schools.

He says the department’s full complement of officers is 249, although only 208 are currently working.

park improvements

Phase one complete of Nanoose Bay outdoor multi-sport venue

4h ago

Dangerous Driving

More road checks coming across Vancouver Island: BC Highway Patrol

5h ago

disturbing attacks

Teenage suspects sought after trio of attacks involving bear spray

10h ago

The mayors of Esquimalt and Victoria, both members of the police board, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Canadian Press