Stephen Harrison
@stephenharrison.bsky.social
Victoria, B.C. needsmorespikes.com
Pinned
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
Stories about officers misusing police databases to look people up who they shouldn't are incredibly common. And yet, when I asked VicPD for copies of any audits they'd done to look for unauthorized database use, they said "no audits have been conducted" over the six-year period I asked about. (1/2)
December 19, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Stories about officers misusing police databases to look people up who they shouldn't are incredibly common. And yet, when I asked VicPD for copies of any audits they'd done to look for unauthorized database use, they said "no audits have been conducted" over the six-year period I asked about. (1/2)
Stories about officers misusing police databases to look people up who they shouldn't are incredibly common. And yet, when I asked VicPD for copies of any audits they'd done to look for unauthorized database use, they said "no audits have been conducted" over the six-year period I asked about. (1/2)
December 19, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Stories about officers misusing police databases to look people up who they shouldn't are incredibly common. And yet, when I asked VicPD for copies of any audits they'd done to look for unauthorized database use, they said "no audits have been conducted" over the six-year period I asked about. (1/2)
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
When I went to the energy ministry for a response to the story I was writing, I was told some of the info I'd received should have been redacted because it was commercially sensitive
They asked me not to write the story or share the info
They deleted the package from the public FOI request log
They asked me not to write the story or share the info
They deleted the package from the public FOI request log
December 19, 2025 at 12:28 AM
When I went to the energy ministry for a response to the story I was writing, I was told some of the info I'd received should have been redacted because it was commercially sensitive
They asked me not to write the story or share the info
They deleted the package from the public FOI request log
They asked me not to write the story or share the info
They deleted the package from the public FOI request log
There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm today. Will try to follow along here. Not much to post about beforehand, as they’ve stopped posting detailed agendas with attachments. Public agenda: vicpd.ca/wp-content/u... Stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵
December 17, 2025 at 12:46 AM
There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm today. Will try to follow along here. Not much to post about beforehand, as they’ve stopped posting detailed agendas with attachments. Public agenda: vicpd.ca/wp-content/u... Stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵
Update: VicPD told CHEK the discrepancy between OT in its budgets and the FOI data is that its budgets also count "standby" pay as OT. That means that in addition to officers' base pay and $5.1 million in OT, VicPD paid out about $1.3 million in standby pay in 2024. cheknews.ca/17-vicpd-off... #yyj
December 16, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Update: VicPD told CHEK the discrepancy between OT in its budgets and the FOI data is that its budgets also count "standby" pay as OT. That means that in addition to officers' base pay and $5.1 million in OT, VicPD paid out about $1.3 million in standby pay in 2024. cheknews.ca/17-vicpd-off... #yyj
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
A brief mention of an abusive relationship between a Vancouver police officer and a teen he met at school in a recent watchdog report shows a need for more transparency around the identities of officers who commit misconduct, says a civil liberties advocate.
@kehyslop.bsky.social reports. #vanpoli
@kehyslop.bsky.social reports. #vanpoli
VPD Officer Was Quietly Investigated over an Abusive Relationship with Teen | The Tyee
A police watchdog report does not reveal the officer’s name or the school where he met the teenage girl.
thetyee.ca
December 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A brief mention of an abusive relationship between a Vancouver police officer and a teen he met at school in a recent watchdog report shows a need for more transparency around the identities of officers who commit misconduct, says a civil liberties advocate.
@kehyslop.bsky.social reports. #vanpoli
@kehyslop.bsky.social reports. #vanpoli
I heard someone mention Del Manak today! Here's a post on his time as chief. He spoke positively about an officer accused of sexual assault, "reamed out" a publisher, and said VPD handcuffing an Indigenous man and his 12-year-old granddaughter after they tried to open a bank account was justified.
Happy Del Manak Day, everyone! May his legacy be accurate. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/del-man... #yyj
Happy Del Manak Day — Needs More Spikes
The city proclaimed August 27, 2025 to be “Del Manak Day.” If the city wants to celebrate his legacy, it’s a good time to reflect on what policing actually looks like in Victoria.
www.needsmorespikes.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:30 AM
I heard someone mention Del Manak today! Here's a post on his time as chief. He spoke positively about an officer accused of sexual assault, "reamed out" a publisher, and said VPD handcuffing an Indigenous man and his 12-year-old granddaughter after they tried to open a bank account was justified.
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
While VicPD is asking for an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026, new FOI data shows that from 2022 to 2024, 48 VicPD officers made over $50,000 in overtime in a single year, with two constables pocketing over $100,000 in extra pay in 2022. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-o... #yyj #cdnfoi
VicPD officers make up to $108,000 in overtime — Needs More Spikes
While VicPD is asking for an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026, new FOI data shows that from 2022 to 2024, 48 VicPD officers made over $50,000 in overtime in a single year, with two constables ...
www.needsmorespikes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
While VicPD is asking for an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026, new FOI data shows that from 2022 to 2024, 48 VicPD officers made over $50,000 in overtime in a single year, with two constables pocketing over $100,000 in extra pay in 2022. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-o... #yyj #cdnfoi
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
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...
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
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...
Us: “Ok. Dont hire 25 new cops.”
Council: “Not like that!”
#yyj #Defundvicpd
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
“The Lovejoy Trap is […] also frighteningly effective at packaging extreme inhumanity as being necessary “for the children.” It leapfrogs right over any discussion of the facts because it feels like life or death.”
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-lovejoy-...
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-lovejoy-...
December 6, 2025 at 12:12 AM
“The Lovejoy Trap is […] also frighteningly effective at packaging extreme inhumanity as being necessary “for the children.” It leapfrogs right over any discussion of the facts because it feels like life or death.”
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-lovejoy-...
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-lovejoy-...
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
December 6, 2025 at 2:29 AM
While VicPD is asking for an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026, new FOI data shows that from 2022 to 2024, 48 VicPD officers made over $50,000 in overtime in a single year, with two constables pocketing over $100,000 in extra pay in 2022. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-o... #yyj #cdnfoi
VicPD officers make up to $108,000 in overtime — Needs More Spikes
While VicPD is asking for an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026, new FOI data shows that from 2022 to 2024, 48 VicPD officers made over $50,000 in overtime in a single year, with two constables ...
www.needsmorespikes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
While VicPD is asking for an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026, new FOI data shows that from 2022 to 2024, 48 VicPD officers made over $50,000 in overtime in a single year, with two constables pocketing over $100,000 in extra pay in 2022. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-o... #yyj #cdnfoi
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
A thread
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
massive investment in accessible social housing to guarantee homes for all is the solution to mass homelessness
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
Why involuntary medical admission and treatment won’t solve homelessness
The arguments made by advocates for involuntary medical admissions and treatment aren’t supported by science.
theconversation.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A thread
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
Bollocks! Drug seizures lead to MORE overdoses. During Task Force Barrage, I reversed 3 ODs. At one, a cop threatened to arrest me for being in the way - after I saved the guy. Our Mayor is full of shite. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver mayor credits DTES task force with reducing overdoses. Here’s what public health experts say
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim continues to laud the impacts of a police-led task force focused on crime on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, claiming it led to a reduction in overdoses.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Bollocks! Drug seizures lead to MORE overdoses. During Task Force Barrage, I reversed 3 ODs. At one, a cop threatened to arrest me for being in the way - after I saved the guy. Our Mayor is full of shite. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
This answer seems incorrect. Rejected financial analyst position is back, but they're calling it a "reclassification." "Electrification of the fleet," rejected as discretionary, is also mentioned. More ambiguous, there are probably also discretionary reserve transfers for retirements, also rejected.
Hammond: Are there items the Province rejected in the 2023 appeal that are put into 2026 budget?
Chief: No.
Chief: No.
November 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This answer seems incorrect. Rejected financial analyst position is back, but they're calling it a "reclassification." "Electrification of the fleet," rejected as discretionary, is also mentioned. More ambiguous, there are probably also discretionary reserve transfers for retirements, also rejected.
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
A VicPD officer got a verbal reprimand for slamming someone's head into the ground after they were in handcuffs. I did some reporting on VicPD's use of force on people in handcuffs here. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/use-of-... VicPD is trying to suppress releasing future use of force datasets. #yyj
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
A VicPD officer got a verbal reprimand for slamming someone's head into the ground after they were in handcuffs. I did some reporting on VicPD's use of force on people in handcuffs here. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/use-of-... VicPD is trying to suppress releasing future use of force datasets. #yyj
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
“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...
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
“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...
opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm. Will follow along here. It’s the first time VicPD met the legal requirement to post the agenda a week in advance. Maybe the trade-off was “put nothing in there.” Agenda: vicpd.ca/wp-content/u... Stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵
November 19, 2025 at 12:45 AM
There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm. Will follow along here. It’s the first time VicPD met the legal requirement to post the agenda a week in advance. Maybe the trade-off was “put nothing in there.” Agenda: vicpd.ca/wp-content/u... Stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
VicPD's 2026 budget proposal is outrageous and harmful. I've reposted my email to #yyj council here. I encourage anyone opposed to uncontrolled police spending to write to Victoria (councillors@victoria.ca) or Esquimalt (council@esquimalt.ca) to tell them. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/2025/11...
VicPD's budget stinks — Needs More Spikes
VicPD wants an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026. Here is my message to council outlining some of the ways VicPD’s budget is harmful and unnecessary, and where to start cutting.
www.needsmorespikes.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:57 AM
VicPD's 2026 budget proposal is outrageous and harmful. I've reposted my email to #yyj council here. I encourage anyone opposed to uncontrolled police spending to write to Victoria (councillors@victoria.ca) or Esquimalt (council@esquimalt.ca) to tell them. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
It took reporter @kehyslop.bsky.social 21 months of FOI requests and pursuing a formal review of the VPD's denial for info to get the police to release the names of officers who currently staff Vancouver schools. 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 4:55 PM
It took reporter @kehyslop.bsky.social 21 months of FOI requests and pursuing a formal review of the VPD's denial for info to get the police to release the names of officers who currently staff Vancouver schools. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
VicPD's 2026 budget proposal is outrageous and harmful. I've reposted my email to #yyj council here. I encourage anyone opposed to uncontrolled police spending to write to Victoria (councillors@victoria.ca) or Esquimalt (council@esquimalt.ca) to tell them. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/2025/11...
VicPD's budget stinks — Needs More Spikes
VicPD wants an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026. Here is my message to council outlining some of the ways VicPD’s budget is harmful and unnecessary, and where to start cutting.
www.needsmorespikes.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:57 AM
VicPD's 2026 budget proposal is outrageous and harmful. I've reposted my email to #yyj council here. I encourage anyone opposed to uncontrolled police spending to write to Victoria (councillors@victoria.ca) or Esquimalt (council@esquimalt.ca) to tell them. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
Watching The Fifth Estate's piece "The political war on safe drugs" then ran to throw more money at @dulfbc.bsky.social for having more backbone and sense than immoral people in power.
DULF LEGAL AID II - The Final Push
Our fundraising just hit a wall: we keep maxing out our incoming daily e-transfer limit of $50,000. But the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) urgently needs your help to keep the fight for drug user r...
www.zeffy.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Watching The Fifth Estate's piece "The political war on safe drugs" then ran to throw more money at @dulfbc.bsky.social for having more backbone and sense than immoral people in power.
Reposted by Stephen Harrison
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵
When VicPD lost some 2023 budget items on appeal, the province said they "did not provide sufficient evidence to support the need." Here VicPD provided incorrect evidence to Esquimalt but says the correct number, down 89% from what they said, is evidence enough. cheknews.ca/vicpd-chief-... #yyj
November 14, 2025 at 4:55 AM
When VicPD lost some 2023 budget items on appeal, the province said they "did not provide sufficient evidence to support the need." Here VicPD provided incorrect evidence to Esquimalt but says the correct number, down 89% from what they said, is evidence enough. cheknews.ca/vicpd-chief-... #yyj
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵