Tom Stamatakis Jr

@GlobalBC @timescolonist @CHEK_News @cfax1070 @cbcnewsbc @CTVNews @theprovince @VancouverSun

@VicPD_Union media release. A case study of OPCC disciplinary process tragedy & need for immediate police oversight reform - Sgt. Kirkwood decision. A failed system taking 5.5 yrs of prolonged & redundant scrutiny negatively impacting all those involved. Changes MUST be made.

New Documents: The chiefs of both the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations have written to British Columbia's new Education Minister to "reiterate our grave concerns" around the decision by @sd61schools board to remove School Police Liaison Officers from schools. The chiefs say the board's decision "constitutes a breach of governance protocols and a lack of respect for our inherent rights and responsibilities as Rightsholders in education." They go on to express alarm "by the lack of follow-up communication and collaborative problem-solving following the decision to end the program," which included the removal of West Shore RCMP Indigenous Police Liaison Officer Cole Brewer from SD61 schools. The chiefs write "the ongoing actions of the Board, including involving the Human Rights Commissioner to bolster their decision, not only fail to address local concerns but also deepen our relational fracture." The nations are requesting the Ministry of Education and Child Care conduct a comprehensive review of the Board's composition of governance practices. #yyj #bcpoli #bced Read the full letter below:

The HEROS program is officially back on the ice! HEROS is a volunteer driven charity that teaches life skills and empowers marginalized youth through hockey. They provide free programs to youth of all backgrounds from grade four through post-secondary. VicPD officers, including Sergeant Sheldon McLean, stopped by to help lace up skates and support these young athletes. The relationships built here extend far beyond the rink, fostering community spirit and connection. We're proud to be part of this initiative and to help make a positive impact in our community 🏒 #youthinsport #yyj

Great episode by @Adam_Stirling. Our @VicPD_Union executive Joan Elliott highlights the challenges @vicpdcanada are facing on Pandora Ave - topics also surrounding SLO's in schools with @KasariGovender insight at the police board meeting. @iHeartRadio iheart.com/podcast/962-th…

@CHEK_News @VicPD_Union members will continue to support/protect @VicFire & @BCAmbulance in what has turned into a sad state of affairs & powder keg situation caused by the inadequacies of both the province & @CityOfVictoria to properly address the unhoused & lack of police resources.

SOLID Outreach says a new strategy where paramedics and firefighters have to wait for police to arrive before responding to some blocks of Pandora Avenue could be a matter of life and death. cheknews.ca/people-could-g…

@vicpdcanada @CityOfVictoria #police @GlobalBC @CHEK_News @timescolonist @blackpress @CTVNewsVI @CapitalDailyVic @CBCNews

Have a listen of the recent @VicPD_Union TrueBlue Podcast covering various topics on police oversight. Retired OPCC Deputy Commissioner @RollieWoods2 discusses body cameras, police accountability, IIO, mental health impacts on officers, media & more. open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ6yi…

Have a listen to our recent TrueBlue Podcast highlighting our @VicPD_Union president Angela Van Eerd & Secretary Joan Elliott. open.spotify.com/episode/6XsFVT…

@PresidentPAO Congrats 👏

I am honoured and grateful to be re-elected as PAO President. Thank you to all our members for your trust and support. Together, we'll continue to champion the rights of Ontario’s professional police personnel, enhance our profession, and build a stronger future for policing in Ontario. I am overwhelmed by the volume of messages, tweets, DM’s and other offerings of support-Thank you!

All of us at @VicPD_Union send our deepest sympathies & condolences to our @VancouverPD brothers & sisters in this time of loss. ♥️

Happy #PinkShirtDay! Today, and every day, let's work together to #EndBullying of all forms and create a more inclusive future for all.

It's bitter sweet seeing our @VicPD_Union president Len Hollingsworth retire off into the sunset yet we'll miss his extensive knowledge & expertise. You've been a great mentor Lenny, all the best!!

It is an absolute honour to have Angela Van Eerd start 2024 as the first ever female President of the @VicPD_Union. @vicpdcanada members are in great hands & it's strong confident leaders like Angela that will pave the way for our future. Mad respect & love 🫶

A big thank u to all those away from their family during the holiday's serving their communities & a Merry Christmas to everyone from @VicPD_Union & @vicpdcanada! All the best to you and yours wherever you are🥂

In our last couple of podcast episodes we hear from Cst. Ben King and Cst. Michael Jarosz who, as a members of GVERT, were involved in the BMO Incident in 2022. truebluevic.ca/podcast/

Don’t forget to appreciate your ride or die: I didn’t want to be a cop. I had to be a cop. I couldn’t get hired anywhere when I was unemployed. I was a good man, hard worker and had integrity but no luck. The only place that would hire me was the police force which I dreaded at the time. I met this wonderful woman who loved me when I was good and when I was broke. I needed to to be a great provider for her. So I took the job. A job that would cause me to lose friends, receive hatred and animosity for things I never did. A job that would have people ridiculously questioning if I loved myself because of the path I chose. Even my wife’s family (wonderful people) had strong reservations based on their history with law enforcement in the 70s and 80s. But there was one person who never left my side. Never judged me. Never questioned who I was. She was their from the orientation to the graduation. Always lifting me up. Always telling me I was a good man and how proud she was of me. She never questioned my so called “Blackness” as many ignorant people did. There for the tears. There for the punched holes in walls when I saw heartbreaking things no one should see. There when I got love, there when I received hate. All the while reminding me I was good mo matter what. She told me I was special. The wonderful meals when I came home from the time we met in 95’. No woman has to do that these days, but she did. No matter what kind of day I had, her chicken wings, pot roast and other creative variations of soul food healed all my battle scars. She was there when I was honored across this nation. Has been there when I was black listed, buried and silenced and no one would tell me why. Celebrating me when I had incredible victories in this job I fell in love with. She picked up the broken pieces of me when I experienced failure. There for me when I people turned on me for doing the right thing. There when I won and lost. There to sooth me in her special way (which is non of y’all’s business). To share her wisdom and strength at moments I experienced weakness. Sometimes she had to be father and mother to my kids when riots and protests broke out or when I was injured. What an incredible human my wife is. As I see the end of my career on the horizon. I can’t thank her enough for being my peace. Even though sometimes I forget to tell her with so much on my mind. No matter what accolades or hate I receive, my wife will never be the good woman behind me. She will always be by my side. If you got a real one in your life, and you are a first responder or military… or any stressful occupation. Always appreciate the one who stands beside you through the ups and downs.

We will never forget and always honour the sacrifice of our #heroesinlife 🙏💙

Another busy summer for our members. We have been involved with many events, such as: the World Police & Fire Games, the 30th Michael Dunahee Slo-Pitch Tournament of Hope, Tim Horton's Camp Day, NHL Street Victoria, Change-Makers Gathering Festival, & @sobcsociety Torch Run 🌞

@eikonos Disagree. Policing in Canada especially municipal depts in BC have some of the highest levels of oversight of any institution. Read the article & name me a profession that has more. Ans 2 ur ques: standardization oversight for both RCMP & Municipal dept's journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.11…

@StamatakisJr it's funny you bring up the example of the police because police are one of the most unaccountable institutions in the whole country they're investigated by their own colleagues who can't even see the notes of the officers being investigated how would you fix police oversight?

Mayor Marianne Alto said she was disheartened at amendments that cut the public out. timescolonist.com/local-news/vic…