Formed 1906 Volunteers 35 | Employees 226 Annual budget $27 million CDN | |
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Motto Populo Serviendo
Serving the People Legal personality Governmental: Government agency | ||
The Saanich Police Department is the police force for the District of Saanich, British Columbia led by Chief Constable Bob Downie consisting of 170 sworn members, supported by 56 civilians and 49 volunteer Reserve Constables.
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Saanich Police was the first police force in North America to deploy BMW R1200RT-P motorcycles, a model specifically designed for police use.
Saanich Police is the first police force in Canada to use podcast for crime prevention, unsolved crimes and media updates.
Saanich Police is also the first police force in Canada to have a mobile shooting range, named "Road Range", a self-contained facility to train officers with the use of firearms but unlike the traditional shooting range, it is a soundproof system in a trailer that can be deployed across the Greater Victoria region.
In seven of fifteen years, up to 2005, the Saanich Police has had Canada's top police dog, as chosen at national championships, an unusual feat for a smaller department.
Organizations
Saanich Police is led by Chief Constable Bob Downie, supported by a Deputy Chief Constable who oversee five divisions as outlined below:
The 9-1-1 service point for contacting the SPD is at the Saanich Integrated Police/Fire Communications Centre which was officially opened on December 11, 2008. Unlike traditional emergency communication/police dispatch centres, the centre serves the following municipalities and districts with an approximate population of 170,000 : North Saanich, Sidney, Central Saanich (collectively known as Saanich Peninsula), Oak Bay and Saanich itself.
Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU)
Two Saanich police officers are seconded to the 15 member unit IRSU. IRSU is mandated to "providing intelligence led enforcement while targeting aggressive driving behaviors, reducing alcohol-related crashes and encouraging the use of seatbelts" within the Capital Regional District. This unit comprises officers from Saanich, Victoria Police Department, Oak Bay Police Department, Central Saanich Police and the RCMP under an agreement with the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and they patrol in specially RCMP marked cars and are able to enforce laws outside their municipal jurisdiction.