Stephen Harrison
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stephenharrison.bsky.social
Stephen Harrison
@stephenharrison.bsky.social
430 followers 160 following 750 posts
Victoria, B.C. needsmorespikes.com
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stephenharrison.bsky.social
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
Ordered Investigation - Requested by Department OPCC 2024-25233 Upon request from the Victoria Police Department (VicPD), the Commissioner ordered an investigation into the conduct of a VicPD member. It was reported that after an affected person had been arrested and placed in handcuffs on the ground, the member used force and struck the affected person’s head against the ground. Allegation 1 The member intentionally or recklessly used unnecessary force on the affected person in the performance of their duties. DISCIPLINARY/CORRECTIVE MEASURE Verbal reprimand Disciplinary Process – Prehearing Conference At the conclusion of the investigation, the Discipline Authority found that the member appeared to have committed misconduct. The Discipline Authority determined that that force used was unreasonable and disproportionate in the circumstances. A prehearing conference was offered and accepted. The Prehearing Conference Authority classified the misconduct as moderate, but noted the member expressed remorse and regret for their inappropriate actions. The OPCC reviewed the proposed disciplinary/corrective measures and determined that further review was not required and the discipline imposed was appropriate in the circumstances.
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
I was reminded of this old report where the OPCC noted 13 substantiated allegations of misconduct for whatever this SLO was doing in 1999 that constituted "inappropriate conduct during school events." There are even fewer details in these old reports, including that the department wasn't disclosed.
OPCC029 Discreditable Conduct Closed: July 26, 1999 A school principal complained about the conduct of a school liaison officer after receiving reports of inappropriate conduct during school events. The complainant listed thirteen allegations, all of which were substantiated by the investigator. The constable was removed from school liaison duties and received disciplinary measures. The chief constable gave the constable a written reprimand. The factors considered by the chief constable included: The constable was a school liaison officer interacting with young students at the time of the incidents and the impact of the constable's conduct on the students; The constable voluntarily requested a transfer from the school liaison department; The constable's acknowledgement that he had exercised poor judgement; and The constable had no previous disciplinary record. OPCC029 Discreditable Conduct Closed: July 26, 1999 A school principal complained about the conduct of a school liaison officer after receiving reports of inappropriate conduct during school events. The complainant listed thirteen allegations, all of which were substantiated by the investigator. The constable was removed from school liaison duties and received disciplinary measures. The chief constable gave the constable a written reprimand. The factors considered by the chief constable included: The constable was a school liaison officer interacting with young students at the time of the incidents and the impact of the constable's conduct on the students; The constable voluntarily requested a transfer from the school liaison department; The constable's acknowledgement that he had exercised poor judgement; and The constable had no previous disciplinary record.
November 19, 2025 at 6:35 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Cop city, Vancouver Island? Meeting adjourns, returning to in camera discussion.
November 19, 2025 at 1:20 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Last item is "Letter from Township of Esquimalt to the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General re Support for VicPD’s proposal to establish Satellite JI Program." [The letter is probably on Esquimalt's site, but isn't attached here]. Alto: also sent "an equally gushing letter."
November 19, 2025 at 1:20 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Motion passes.
November 19, 2025 at 1:19 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Faoro: "this needs to be discussed." Says sometimes municipalities "may forget" that providing policing is one of their core responsibilities. [it takes up like a quarter of municipal budgets, what are you talking about]
November 19, 2025 at 1:18 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Hayes motion: Board reiterate previous position that four core municipalities better served by a regional police force, and requesting that province look into it.
November 19, 2025 at 1:18 AM
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Alto: All four mayors agreed to provide additional information to province on their interests. "It appeared that the province is interested in receiving this information." Police boards have been asked to express their opinion; believes VicPD board on record supporting regionalization.
November 19, 2025 at 1:16 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
[Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, and Saanich mayors]
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Alto: Talks about mayors meeting with province about considering the future of policing/regional policing and "greater integration." Mayors agreed there would need to be discussion of governance, public engagement, and fiscal impacts and ensure "similar or improved levels of service."
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Deputy chief update: Talks about submission to establish a satellite police training operation on the island. Waiting to hear back.
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Wilson: Mentions upcoming Thursday budget presentation to Victoria council.
November 19, 2025 at 1:12 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Wilson: Says their "strategic planning process is well underway." [is that the process they're asking for $100,000 for in 2026? Seems like another thing they've started before asking for the money]
November 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Wilson: Says they've had positive feedback from people seeing lots of police out and about 'without any additional resources.' [Seems like they've achieved their results without hiring those 9 more 'beat' officers, then]
November 19, 2025 at 1:10 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
On to update from Wilson. Welcomes VicPD's new comms director [I think]. Says they've hired a retired officer under their new policy to hire retired officers.
November 19, 2025 at 1:09 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
BC Association of Police Boards update from Hayes. Update coming next month. Says "national training modules" for police boards have been completed and will be released next year.
November 19, 2025 at 1:07 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Faoro on new policing regulations, including code of conduct and meeting requirements. Notes he sent them around again to board this morning. Says "we are compliant." [this is only the first time they've met the requirement to post their agenda on time]
November 19, 2025 at 1:05 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
[and for clarity, pay councillors six figures, and abolish the police and police board]
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
No declarations of conflict of interest. [On that, at a previous meeting the police board voted themselves raises while declaring no conflicts. I point that out only to compare it to the outrage when it was suggested councillors might do the same] Alto is adding "regional policing" as new business.
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Direct link to stream is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPLX...
November 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
None of this will come up at the meeting, but it's newly released, and if you want to see what police are up to, check it out. Again, a warning: it's a hard and infuriating read. opcc.bc.ca/wp-content/u...
opcc.bc.ca
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
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
Ordered Investigation - Requested by Department OPCC 2024-25233 Upon request from the Victoria Police Department (VicPD), the Commissioner ordered an investigation into the conduct of a VicPD member. It was reported that after an affected person had been arrested and placed in handcuffs on the ground, the member used force and struck the affected person’s head against the ground. Allegation 1 The member intentionally or recklessly used unnecessary force on the affected person in the performance of their duties. DISCIPLINARY/CORRECTIVE MEASURE Verbal reprimand Disciplinary Process – Prehearing Conference At the conclusion of the investigation, the Discipline Authority found that the member appeared to have committed misconduct. The Discipline Authority determined that that force used was unreasonable and disproportionate in the circumstances. A prehearing conference was offered and accepted. The Prehearing Conference Authority classified the misconduct as moderate, but noted the member expressed remorse and regret for their inappropriate actions. The OPCC reviewed the proposed disciplinary/corrective measures and determined that further review was not required and the discipline imposed was appropriate in the circumstances.
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
stephenharrison.bsky.social
Here we learn that the VicPD officer who decided to do a PIT maneuver on someone on their e-bike, dislocating his shoulder and putting him in hospital, was suspended for one day. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/police-... #yyj
Victoria Police Department Ordered Investigation – Initiated by PCC OPCC 2023-23143 After receiving information from the Victoria Police Department (VicPD), the Commissioner initiated an investigation into a member who utilized a police vehicle to stop an individual who was riding an electric cycle. According to information received from the department, the driver of the electric cycle was observed committing a Motor Vehicle Act offence. The member attempted to initiate a traffic stop and used their police vehicle to make contact with the rear wheel of the individual’s cycle. Allegation 1 The member inappropriately used a police vehicle as an intermediate force option. DISCIPLINARY/CORRECTIVE MEASURE 1-day suspension Disciplinary Process – Prehearing Conference At the conclusion of the investigation, the Discipline Authority found that the member appeared to have committed misconduct. A prehearing conference was offered and accepted. The Prehearing Conference Authority noted that while the member was in the lawful execution of their duties, the decision to use a police vehicle as an intermediate force option to take an individual into custody was not justified. The Prehearing Conference Authority also noted that the member’s neglect of duty was at the lower end of misconduct, as they had neglected administrative aspects of their reporting but had recorded their use of force and been fulsome in describing their actions. The OPCC reviewed the proposed disciplinary/corrective measures and determined that further review was not required and the discipline imposed was appropriate in the circumstances.
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM