Nov 20 - Police misconduct report includes Greater Victoria officers

Good morning !

Ready or not, holiday-themed events are starting to pop up around the city. Check out our Capital Picks and Things To Do sections today to find out which Christmas markets are running this weekend.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes

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NEWS

OPCC releases report on police misconduct, includes officers from three Greater Victoria departments

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner of BC (OPCC), the province’s independent agency for overseeing police complaints, released its annual report on substantiated allegations of misconduct, and officers from three Greater Victoria police departments were on the list.

The misconduct ranged from minor to serious, with one resulting in retroactive dismissal.

An OPCC investigation found that a Saanich officer had broken into the home of a person they had interacted with socially earlier that night and sexually assaulted them. The officer retired before the investigation was complete, but their service record will show they were dismissed.

Investigations into VicPD officers found multiple acts of misconduct, including abuse of force by using a vehicle to stop an individual on an e-bike—a tactic that officers in the department have used at least 12 times over the last decade—and feeding a known allergy to a person while they were in jail.

A VicPD whistleblower who leaked unredacted files to the press was nearly reduced in rank but only received a written reprimand, which will appear on their service record.

A botched arrest conducted by Central Saanich Police Service left the commissioner concerned that accusations of unfair treatment based on the complainant’s race had not been properly investigated by the discipline authority. Discipline authorities are typically the chief constable of the department.

Read on to see which acts of police misconduct in Greater Victoria were substantiated in 2024-2025.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Overdose alert in Cowichan Valley. [Island Health]

Galloping Goose closure/detour: Viaduct Park in Burnside Gorge. [Weekdays until Dec. 19]

Cook closed between Johnson and Yates for underground utility servicing. 7am-5pm through Nov. 26. [City of Victoria] 

Can you ID this person suspected of fraud and theft? [RCMP]

NEWS

New ‘dry’ supportive housing coming to Victoria

The BC government and the City of Victoria unveiled plans yesterday for a substance-free recovery centre for people leaving supportive housing or experiencing homelessness.

“There’s an urgent need in Victoria to support the housing needs for people well on the way in their recovery journey,” said Christine Boyle, BC’s housing minister.

“Helping people move forward with the dignity and the confidence needed to begin a new, healthy life is a powerful way to build safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

The housing in Johnson Manor, at 1153 Johnson, will have 20 self-contained dry units for people who are a minimum of 60 days sober, post-detox and treatment, and without a fixed address or existing supportive housing. 

The Building is owned and operated by Cool Aid and will support continued recovery, promote independent living skills, and prepare residents to transition into long-term, stable housing, the province said in a release.

“Adding recovery housing to Cool Aid’s housing continuum is a major strategic priority and a housing model that we have been working toward for several years,” said Angela Moran, Cool Aid’s director of housing and shelters.

Moving people into recovery-oriented housing will free up supportive housing spaces so other people experiencing homelessness can come indoors, the province said.

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto acknowledged “a lack of dry, recovery-oriented housing” in the city and said the project will support “vulnerable residents as they move from homelessness to recovery after detox.”

BC Housing will provide $1.2M over three years, with the city kicking in $590K over three years. The city also will cover the $250K or so needed in building upgrades.

The facility is expected to be ready in early spring, the prince said.
Neighbouring residents will soon receive letters outlining how the centre will operate, and who to contact for questions and concerns.

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Seniors housing crisis

Until midnight December 2 (Giving Tuesday) every dollar you donate to PHS Community Services Society will be matched by an anonymous donor — up to a total of $10,000!

Your gift helps provide supportive housing, nutritious meals and vital services for vulnerable seniors caught in the housing crisis.

Seniors are the fastest-growing group facing homelessness because pensions arent' keeping up with Vancouver and Victoria rents.

They need safety, dignity, and a place to call home — and you can make that happen.

Act now. Every dollar counts twice.
Donate up until Giving Tuesday on December 2.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🛍️ Sidney’s Annual Holiday Open House is tomorrow. [Details]

🦢 Carry It Forward: For Nature. For Community. For Terry. Please donate today so that Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary can continue to thrive.*

🎶 St Cecilia's Day Musical Open House. [Nov. 22]

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean, balanced energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

📸 Out of this world city: Astronaut Chris Hadfield gave Victoria a shout out on social media, saying “Some places are so beautiful they’re surreal.”

📢 Susinn McFarlen just won the Jessie Richardson Award for outstanding performance in a leading comedic role in Burning Mom. Pay-what-you-want tickets available for all performances.*

🇺🇳 Discussion: UNESCO Urban Bioregion for Greater Victoria. Today. 7pm. [Register]

✨ The Philosophy MD Holiday House Party - November 20th, 1 to 7 PM, 559 Superior Street. Enjoy a little celestial sparkle, favourite cosmetic treatments, and skincare shopping.*

^{*Sponsored Listing}

SPONSORED BY ROCKY POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY

CBC4Kids: Victoria Birding Adventure Awaits!

CBC4Kids Victoria invites families to an inspiring Christmas Bird Count for Kids, connecting children with nature and fostering a love for birds. This annual event is set for December 20th on southern Vancouver Island, offering guided birdwalks between 1 pm and 3 pm. Join CBC4Kids for a memorable family birding adventure!

🗞️ In Other News

North Saanich says no to splash pad, invites public to weigh in on future of former pickleball courts
The district shut down the Wain Road courts 18 months ago, much to the chagrin of pickleballers, who said noise complaints were highly exaggerated. The council is net-set against bringing back the courts, and it has decided a splash pad at a cost of between $250K and $500K isn’t viable. So it’s holding an open house, survey and public engagement process over the next few weeks to figure out the next move. Some councillors say with Christmas coming up, that’s too rushed. [CHEK]

Saanich approves apartment complex; mayor promises to cut 24-storey possibilities at Quadra, McKenzie
If it gets final approval, a 125-unit building near Swan Lake would replace three family homes and rise six storeys on McKenzie and eight on Rainbow, on the opposite side. The Saanich council said Abstract Development’s reworked plan (under a 2023 submission, more trees would be cut down) would provide much-needed new housing. Separately, Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said he wants to allay any fear Saanich is growing too quickly, so he has pledged to remove the possibility of building towers as tall as 24 storeys from the draft Quadra-McKenzie plan. [Times Colonist]

Loaded container barge bound for Seattle sinking off BC coast
The barge—en route to Seattle from Alaska—began taking on water Monday and is being pumped continuously to remain afloat. The Canadian Coast Guard says the tugboat company pulling the barge has hired divers to inspect and determine the cause. The Coast said there are currently no signs of pollution, but it has pollution response equipment on standby just in case. Plans for a secondary tug and barge are in the works to remove the stacked containers from the foundering vessel. [CP / City News]

SPONSORED BY ACUMEN LAW CORPORATION

Keep Your Licence

Whether you’ve received a DUI/IRP or a Driving While Prohibited charge, Acumen Law has a highly experienced team of driving lawyers, offering unparalleled legal support. Don’t let a driving prohibition ruin your life. Protect your rights, start your defence and trust Acumen Law’s expertise to keep you on the road.

🗓️ Things To Do

🧑‍🎄 Bilston Creek Farm 2025 Yuletide Market Series: Shop local at this popular Christmas craft market at Bilston Creek Farm. Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays through Dec 21. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🎁 Magic of Christmas Artisan Market: Find handmade gifts from 130+ artisans at Westshore's largest holiday shopping event, running all weekend at Eagle Ridge Community Centre. Tomorrow 4-8:30pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm. [Info]

😂 IMPROV COMEDY Live at The Mint: Enjoy some of Victoria's best comedy improv at The Mint Restaurant tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🎶 Shawn Desman with Jamie Fine: The Canadian R&B and pop star will perform with opener Jamie Fine at Royal Theatre tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🕺 Palladium Mambo Night with the Commodores Big Band: Dance Palladium-style after a beginner Mambo lesson with live music—dress to impress in 40s-60s’ era costumes—at The Coda tomorrow. 8:30pm-1am. [Info]

🎤 Snotty Nose Rez Kids: The Polaris Music Prize-winning Indigenous hip-hop duo will take the stage at Capital Ballroom. Tomorrow and Saturday. 9pm. [Info]

⚱️ Potters by the Sea: A curated show and sale featuring a diverse collection of functional and decorative ceramics by local artists. ArtSea Gallery, Tulista Park, Sidney. Friday-Nov. 27. 10am–4pm. Free admission. [Info]

🪞 a crack in the mirror: See this An intimate exploration of Sikh visual culture by artist Simranpreet Anand at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Opens Saturday. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Wastewater treatment plant breakdown forces CRD to truck sewage; Human Rights Tribunal to hear VicPD cases; BC unplugs from EV goal.  [Nov. 19] 

Peatt off: Some Langford residents not happy with possible intersection change. [CHEK]

Squatters using drugs leave rotting food, attracting rodents to derelict homes on Brock. [Times Colonist]

What about us? Central Saanich left out of regional police talks with Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, and Oak Bay. [CTV]

The Sooke Skate Park replacement project begins.

The Oak Bay Half-Marathon, Relay, 10K, Kids’ Run is on May 24. [Registration open]

That’s it!

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