Defund VicPD
LightNews LightNews
banner
defundvicpd.bsky.social
Defund VicPD
@defundvicpd.bsky.social
99 followers 210 following 35 posts
Calling for defunding the Victoria Police Department (VicPD) and reallocating resources to community supports and services.
On the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples.
🌐 DefundVicPD.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
defundvicpd.bsky.social
Defund VicPD @defundvicpd.bsky.social · Dec 4
City Council: “This is hard. Residents should bring forward concrete ways to trim the budget.”

Us: “Ok. Dont hire 25 new cops.”

Council: “Not like that!”
#yyj #Defundvicpd

www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
Victoria mayor says tax hike could drop below double digits, but not much more
As it stands, the city’s portion of a tax hike would be 5.4 per cent, but the Victoria police budget represents a tax hike of 5.02 per cent, for a total of more than 10 per cent.
www.timescolonist.com
Reposted by Defund VicPD
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
Document, file formal complaints, and inform the media

this is how to do it.
The witness then began videoing the incident. “It continued to escalate when additional units arrived at that point, I observed a dog handler let a dog loose on this man after he’d been subdued,” the witness said. “They had one handcuff on his wrist, and they had his hands clasped together at one point, holding his thumbs. Nonetheless, they allowed that dog to continue his bite. Also, there was a continuation of strikes on this individual, and he was screaming out in pain” The video taken by the witness shows an officer punching a man who is lying face down on the ground in the back seven times while a police dog bites the man in the ankle.
January 3, 2026 at 12:26 AM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
“Is this a pigeon?” Meme. The person is labelled “city of victoria council” and the butterfly is labelled “police dogs biting handcuffed suspects” - below it says “Is this a public safety plan?”
January 3, 2026 at 12:37 AM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
#DefundVicPD #yyj
December 16, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
cheknews.ca
British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after a pedestrian was killed in a crash involving a police vehicle in Surrey, B.C.
Pedestrian killed in crash with police vehicle in Surrey, B.C.
British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after a pedestrian was killed in a crash involving a police vehicle in Surrey, B.C.
cheknews.ca
December 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
nolore.bsky.social
Here is my latest, a reflection on the massacre in Australia, how Israel has already tried to instramentalize it, and what it's like in the immediate aftermath of an act of terrorism.

noraloreto.substack.com/p/israel-use...
Israel uses an Antisemitic massacre to support its Racial Holy War
Attacking the roots of hatred must go to the roots of social disintegration
noraloreto.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:58 PM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
#DefundVicPD opposes new funding increase for Victoria and Esquimalt police. martlet.ca/defund-vicpd...

— Thanks @themartlet.bsky.social for the story. No other media outlets have contacted us and we even sent a press release 🤔

#yyj
‘Defund VicPD’ opposes new funding increase for Victoria and Esquimalt police
Reasons for opposition include a history of misconduct and disproportionate use of force in encounters with Black and Indigenous people.
martlet.ca
December 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
City Council: “This is hard. Residents should bring forward concrete ways to trim the budget.”

Us: “Ok. Dont hire 25 new cops.”

Council: “Not like that!”
#yyj #Defundvicpd

www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
Victoria mayor says tax hike could drop below double digits, but not much more
As it stands, the city’s portion of a tax hike would be 5.4 per cent, but the Victoria police budget represents a tax hike of 5.02 per cent, for a total of more than 10 per cent.
www.timescolonist.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
jenstden.bsky.social
Earlier this fall, the founders of a drug compassion club called DULF were convicted of drug trafficking. Now they're back in court, mounting a constitutional challenge that could change Canadian drug laws. @michellegamage.bsky.social explains what it all means: thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
What’s at Stake During DULF’s Constitutional Challenge | The Tyee
The case’s outcome could affect the founders’ criminal charges, and Canadian drug laws. A Tyee explainer.
thetyee.ca
December 2, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
cheknews.ca
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner completed eight investigations into the Victoria Police Department in 2024/2025, one of which included an instance where an off-duty officer was driving impaired and lied to an RCMP officer.
VicPD officer suspended for five days for driving impaired, lying to RCMP officer
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner completed eight investigations into the Victoria Police Department in 2024/2025, one of which included an instance where an off-duty officer was driving impaired and lied to an RCMP officer.
cheknews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
jenstden.bsky.social
Before the controversial SLO program was halted in 2021, then reinstated in 2023, the names of the officers and the schools they were associated with were regularly posted online.

Police initially told Katie that releasing the info would compromise officers' safety. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Vancouver Police Finally Reveal Names of School Liaison Officers | The Tyee
After telling The Tyee publishing this information would harm police, names and school assignments are out.
thetyee.ca
November 17, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
jenstden.bsky.social
You wouldn’t believe the lengths @kehyslop.bsky.social had to go to to get basic info on the training for school liaison officers. This contoversial VPD program was briefly shuttered in 2021 before being reinstated in 2023. #vanpoli thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
We Finally Have Some Info on School Liaison Officer Training | The Tyee
After two years of FOI requests and complaints, the Vancouver police finally let The Tyee review some training modules.
thetyee.ca
November 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
sobittersosweet.bsky.social
Yeeeeesh
susankimyyj.bsky.social Susan Kim 김수잔 @susankimyyj.bsky.social · Dec 1
Coleman asks: When we first identified a 4% target, can staff remind us what we speculated the VicPD budget would be? And thus what the cumulative total would be?

Staff and Alto: Around 2% range.

Coleman: We have some work to do sitting at 10% now then.
December 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
Here’s a good opportunity to meet up with a city councillor and have a conversation about defunding the police #DefundVicPD
davethompsonvic.bsky.social Dave Thompson 🇨🇦 @davethompsonvic.bsky.social · Nov 27
My next community coffee-chat will be Saturday November 29th 2025, 4:00pm to 5:00pm at Fern Cafe and Bakery, 1115 N Park St.

Feel free to drop by and share what you’d like City Council and the CRD to do in the coming months and years. I’ll be there to listen and learn. :⁠-⁠)
#yyj
More in reply...
November 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
susankimyyj.bsky.social
Gooooood morning. Today we continue to nickel and dime the City with ongoing budget discussions. Reminder that none of this is final final final until it gets ratified at the end of weeks of discussion. The sausage is still getting made. #yyj
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
Yes, Chief. A few years ago people got sick of seeing the police murder black, brown, and Indigenous people. We never went away. #DefundVicPD
susankimyyj.bsky.social Susan Kim 김수잔 @susankimyyj.bsky.social · Nov 20
Chief: "Anecdotally, I would say that the defund movement has died down over the last few years. There is still feeling certainly within VicPD of a lack of support for the police, and it probably started in large part when the movement was at its peak a few years ago."
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
Today Victoria council will hear a presentation from VicPD on their draft $90 million budget. Nothing is final today, so keep writing to council and telling them to reject VicPD's proposed 14% budget increase, including hiring 25 more officers. www.victoria.ca/city-governm... #yyj #DefundVicPD
Council & Committee Meetings | City of Victoria
www.victoria.ca
November 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
psketti.ca
Wow imagine if I got a five day vacation for lying to the cops and drunk driving!! We should all do that! #yyj
cheknews.ca CHEK News @cheknews.ca · Nov 18
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner completed eight investigations into the Victoria Police Department in 2024/2025, one of which included an instance where an off-duty officer was driving impaired and lied to an RCMP officer.
VicPD officer suspended for five days for driving impaired, lying to RCMP officer
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner completed eight investigations into the Victoria Police Department in 2024/2025, one of which included an instance where an off-duty officer was driving impaired and lied to an RCMP officer.
cheknews.ca
November 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
#DefundVicPD #yyj
cheknews.ca CHEK News @cheknews.ca · Nov 18
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner completed eight investigations into the Victoria Police Department in 2024/2025, one of which included an instance where an off-duty officer was driving impaired and lied to an RCMP officer.
VicPD officer suspended for five days for driving impaired, lying to RCMP officer
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner completed eight investigations into the Victoria Police Department in 2024/2025, one of which included an instance where an off-duty officer was driving impaired and lied to an RCMP officer.
cheknews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
defundvicpd.bsky.social
The politicians demanded cops in schools. They fired the Victoria school board to make it happen.

Cops in schools dont make people safe #DefundVicPD
kwardvancouver.bsky.social karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · Nov 19
“a [VPD] member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship”
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
Upon request from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the Commissioner ordered an investigation into the conduct of a VPD member. It was reported that the member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship. The investigation showed that the member had lied to the female about their age and was verbally and emotionally abusive towards her. The member developed an inappropriate relationship with the female which included the member’s behaviour towards the female during their relationship. MISCONDUCT Discreditable Conduct Conduct that discredits the department DISCIPLINARY MEASURE Dismissal Date of Incident: 2018-2022 Process At the conclusion of the investigation, the Discipline Authority found that the member appeared to have committed misconduct. No prehearing conference was offered and as a result, the matter proceeded to a discipline proceeding where the member admitted the allegation. The member resigned from the VPD before the conclusion of the discipline proceeding. In arriving at the appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures, the Discipline Authority noted the seriousness of the misconduct, that the member was in a clear position of trust, influence, and authority and would have significant influence over the female’s career aspirations. The Discipline Authority also noted the abusive and demeaning behaviour was shown to be sustained throughout the relationship rather than limited to a single outburst, and that the member kept the relationship hidden, indicating he understood the relationship was inappropriate. The member did not request a review of the disciplinary decision. The OPCC reviewed these findings and determined that further review was not required and that the discipline imposed was appropriate in the circumstances.
November 19, 2025 at 4:22 AM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
The politicians demanded cops in schools. They fired the Victoria school board to make it happen.

Cops in schools dont make people safe #DefundVicPD
kwardvancouver.bsky.social karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · Nov 19
“a [VPD] member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship”
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
Upon request from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the Commissioner ordered an investigation into the conduct of a VPD member. It was reported that the member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship. The investigation showed that the member had lied to the female about their age and was verbally and emotionally abusive towards her. The member developed an inappropriate relationship with the female which included the member’s behaviour towards the female during their relationship. MISCONDUCT Discreditable Conduct Conduct that discredits the department DISCIPLINARY MEASURE Dismissal Date of Incident: 2018-2022 Process At the conclusion of the investigation, the Discipline Authority found that the member appeared to have committed misconduct. No prehearing conference was offered and as a result, the matter proceeded to a discipline proceeding where the member admitted the allegation. The member resigned from the VPD before the conclusion of the discipline proceeding. In arriving at the appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures, the Discipline Authority noted the seriousness of the misconduct, that the member was in a clear position of trust, influence, and authority and would have significant influence over the female’s career aspirations. The Discipline Authority also noted the abusive and demeaning behaviour was shown to be sustained throughout the relationship rather than limited to a single outburst, and that the member kept the relationship hidden, indicating he understood the relationship was inappropriate. The member did not request a review of the disciplinary decision. The OPCC reviewed these findings and determined that further review was not required and that the discipline imposed was appropriate in the circumstances.
November 19, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
ABC campaigned on bringing police into schools AFTER this had happened.
kwardvancouver.bsky.social karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · Nov 19
“a [VPD] member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship”
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
Upon request from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the Commissioner ordered an investigation into the conduct of a VPD member. It was reported that the member attended a high school to provide a presentation on policing, following which the member exchanged emails with a female student regarding a career in policing. After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship. The investigation showed that the member had lied to the female about their age and was verbally and emotionally abusive towards her. The member developed an inappropriate relationship with the female which included the member’s behaviour towards the female during their relationship. MISCONDUCT Discreditable Conduct Conduct that discredits the department DISCIPLINARY MEASURE Dismissal Date of Incident: 2018-2022 Process At the conclusion of the investigation, the Discipline Authority found that the member appeared to have committed misconduct. No prehearing conference was offered and as a result, the matter proceeded to a discipline proceeding where the member admitted the allegation. The member resigned from the VPD before the conclusion of the discipline proceeding. In arriving at the appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures, the Discipline Authority noted the seriousness of the misconduct, that the member was in a clear position of trust, influence, and authority and would have significant influence over the female’s career aspirations. The Discipline Authority also noted the abusive and demeaning behaviour was shown to be sustained throughout the relationship rather than limited to a single outburst, and that the member kept the relationship hidden, indicating he understood the relationship was inappropriate. The member did not request a review of the disciplinary decision. The OPCC reviewed these findings and determined that further review was not required and that the discipline imposed was appropriate in the circumstances.
November 19, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
defundvicpd.bsky.social
Some of these things were put back into the budget by council... But discussion of the police budget is later this month. Write to Victoria council and your MLA using the respurces on our website: defundvicpd.org #yyj #DefundVicPD
defundvicpd.bsky.social Defund VicPD @defundvicpd.bsky.social · Nov 6
“To pay for VicPD’s demands, the city is even looking at cutting a children’s book prize, and a poet laureate and youth poet laureate program that only costs $8,000 (keep in mind that VicPD spent $22,000 on a retirement party this year)” 🚨➡️ defundvicpd.org/2025/11/06/c... #yyj #DefundVicPD
City releases 2026 Draft Budget – big cuts proposed to make way for police funding
The City of Victoria has released the 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan, along with some early budget deliberations by city staff. They’re thinking about cutting all sorts of things. The City is propo…
defundvicpd.org
November 8, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
andreawoo.bsky.social
VPD ignoring FOI requests for chief's communications leading up to 2022 muni election referencing then-mayoral-candidate Ken Sim or stranger assaults, which became highly politicized during the campaign, @andrewweichel.bsky.social and @lisa-steacy.bsky.social report
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver police ignore FOI requests for chief's communications
For nearly a year, the Vancouver Police Department has failed to fulfill two freedom of information requests seeking records from Chief Adam Palmer and other high-ranking officials – a situation trans...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Reposted by Defund VicPD
stephenharrison.bsky.social
VicPD already has the third-most officers per capita in the country, but they're trying to make the city hire 25 more. They also want $10,000 per new hire to buy new police cars. The average VicPD officer made $156,000 in 2024.
Yellow text with black font. VicPD has the third most officers per capita in the country, after Thunder Bay and Montreal. VicPD has more officers per capita than: Abbotsford, Barrie, Brantford, Burnaby, Calgary, Chatham-Kent, Chilliwack, Codiac Regional, Coquitlam, Delta, Durham Region (Oshawa/Whitby/Ajax), Edmonton, Gatineau, Greater Sudbury, Guelph, Halifax, Halton Region (Oakville/Burlington), Hamilton, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kingston, Langley City, Laval, Lethbridge Region, Lévis, London, Longueuil, Nanaimo, Niagara Region (St. Catharines), Ottawa, Peel Region (Mississauga/Brampton), Peterborough-Lakefield, Québec, Red Deer, Regina, Richelieu Saint-Laurent, Richmond, Roussillon Region, Saanich, Saguenay, Saint Jean-sur-Richelieu, Saskatoon, Sherbrooke, St. John's, Surrey, Terrebonne, Toronto, Trois-Rivières, Vancouver, Waterloo Region (Kitchener), Windsor, Winnipeg, and York Region (Markham/Vaughn). VicPD wants the city to pay for 25 more officers in 2026. The average VicPD officer made $156,000 in 2024. Sources: Statistics Canada, "Police personnel and selected crime statistics, municipal police services," 2023. Areas with population over 100,000. Victoria Police Department, "Statement of Employee Remuneration and Expenses Paid - 2024."
November 14, 2025 at 3:17 AM
defundvicpd.bsky.social
VicPD wants to hire 25 more cops. Our libraries are closed on Sundays. We can learn a lot about the priorities of those we elect when we start to look a little closer. #DefundVicPD and support true community safety! Send an email today: DefundVicPD.org #yyj
stephenharrison.bsky.social Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · Nov 14
Here we can see VicPD has more officers per capita than 82% of U.S. police departments, for cities with over 100,000 people. 100,000 people is a cut-off Statistics Canada uses when reporting on police data, so I've replicated that here for comparison.
Yellow background with black font. VicPD has more officers per capita than 82% of U.S. police departments. More than: [List of hundreds of U.S. jurisdictions] Sources: Statistics Canada, "Police personnel and selected crime statistics, municipal police services," 2023. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Employees Data, 2023. Cities with population over 100,000.
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM