iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Sukhdeo talks about going to police governance conference in Edmonton. Over-the-shoulder shot reveals meeting snack offerings. Cull says she and Faoro went to new recruit swearing in.

Tarts or quiches on a table next to some fruit with tongs.

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Hayes starting with an update. Welcomes Ken Armour as new community appointment from Esquimalt. "CEO of Trades Training BC and … a Senior Advisor with BC Colleges."

Term Start Date: August 24 2026
Term End Date: August 24 2027
Maximum Term Date: August 24 2032
Appointee Contact Information:
Name: Ken Armour
Township of Esquimalt Community Appointee Biography:
Ken Armour has extensive experience in public policy, government and community affairs. He
has held senior management positions with the provincial and federal governments, including
roles in social policy, economic development, Indigenous relations, and research and
innovation. Ken currently serves as CEO of Trades Training BC and as a Senior Advisor with BC
Colleges, working with government, post-secondary institutions, employers and community
partners on skills training and workforce development. He holds a Master of Public
Administration, a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta.
He has also served in a number of community and governance roles in Esquimalt.

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm. Will follow along on this thread. Agenda: www.vicpd.ca/260915%20VEP... Stream: www.youtube.com/@victoriaesq... #vicpboard

VICTORIA & ESQUIMALT POLICE BOARD
Public Meeting Agenda
September 15, 2026 at 5:00pm
Boardroom 316
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
a. Territorial Acknowledgement
2. PRESENTATIONS
a.
3. STANDING ITEMS
a. Declarations of Conflict of Interest
Pg. 1 b. Adoption of the Public Agenda of September 15, 2026
Pg. 2 c. Approval of the Public Minutes of July 21, 2026
d. Board Chair Update
** Welcome New Member
i. Information - Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Pg. 4 • Terms of Reference
ii. CAPG report
e. Committee Updates
f. Chief Constable Update
g. Deputy Chief Constables Updates
3. BUSINESS ARISING (when applicable)
a.
4. NEW BUSINESS (when applicable)
Pg. 8 a. Appointment Letter & Bio – K. Armour, Esquimalt Community Member
5. RISE & REPORT (when applicable)
a.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
Pg.10 a. 2026 CACP Recognition Award
Pg.11 b. Letter of Concern – E-scooters

150

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The provincial government has an entire website devoted to posting data, and so does VicPD. It’s telling what they choose not to release, or fight to keep secret. No VicPD press release is going to tell you that an officer says they threatened to tase someone accused of littering in 2023.

Screenshot of text from province. Reads in part: Consultations: Victoria PD was consulted and requested the records be withheld in their entirety. Recommendations: Access denied pursuant to sections 15, 16, and 22.

Screenshot of email from province. Text reads: “Each access to information request is assessed individually, and severing decisions may vary depending on the specific content of the records and the context in which they were created. In this case, the severing reflects the outcome of consultations conducted as part of the review process.”

111

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

While they initially tried to release no data at all, what the province did release after multiple appeals was still less than they have before. They redacted information on whether officers knew someone was suicidal before they used force, or whether injuries caused by VicPD put people in hospital.

Filtered Excel column showing rows where "Subject not injured pre-police officer force," "subject injured by police use of force," and treatment column redacted.

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

VicPD decided in 2022 it was “over-reporting” its use of force, so while it looks like VicPD is using less force, it’s likely an illusion. And some things are still going up. VicPD officers filed 275 reports in 2024 where they say they threatened to shoot someone. That’s more than 5 reports a week.

Bar graph showing a steep drop off in VicPD’s use of force between 2021 and 2022, from 903 to under 700. A note between those years indicates “VicPD raises threshold for filing use of force reports.” The numbers rose again to 735 by 2024.

A line graph showing how often VicPD officers report threatening to shoot someone, rising from under 100 in 2018, to just below 150 in 2022, to 275 by 2024.

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

VicPD: "VicPD is always striving to be as transparent and accountable as possible." Also VicPD: Once again breaking the most basic legal requirement to post agendas for their public meetings a week in advance. #yyj

Table showing VicPD has not posted a public agenda for its September 15, 2026 public meeting.

031

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

There’s also a 2025 email from then-VicPD chief Manak to the special advisor. He listed many complaints, including that the board invited the Human Rights Commissioner and Policing-Free Schools to give presentations. He said “I don’t see a productive path forward with Nicole Duncan as Board Chair.”

My thoughts are as follows:
1. The Area Chiefs met with SD61 Board of Education in good faith and demonstrated a desire to be collaborative
and open to making enhancements to the current SPLO program.
2. The Area Chiefs have lost confidence in the SD61 Board of Education to engage in any meaningful and
collaborative dialogue given the continued lack of communication and engagement from the SD61 Board. In fact,
the SD61 Board has actively undermined police leadership and continually shared a false narrative and included
misinformation in their public communication.
…
4. The SD61 Board failed to provide feedback to police leadership on the edits provided to the Communication
Protocol.
5. The SD61 Board failed to respond to the Nov 8th letter from Area Chiefs which articulated major deficiencies in
the SD61 Board Safety Plan and instead submitted their Plan to government.
6. The SD61 Board re-invited the BC Human Rights Commissioner to sway public sentiment regarding the SPLO
program and the return of police officers to schools.
6. The SD61 Board's actions demonstrate their arrogance and unwillingness to listen. They continue to actively
undermine the Minister, police leadership and key community stakeholders.
7. Since Minister Beare appointed you as the special advisor, the SD61 Board once again 'doubled down' and went
on the offensive. The Board invited the Founder of Policing-Free Schools to present to the Board regarding a
different path forward that didn't include police officers in schools.
…
9. Personally, I don't see a productive path forward with Nicole Duncan as Board Chair.
I want to thank you for your time and genuine effort to bring the parties together to seek a resolution that aligned
with the Ministerial Order. I appreciate the emphasis you placed on timely and continual communication with all
parties and your professionalism and level of engagement. I can confidently say that if you can't find a resolution

120

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Oak Bay PD has a policy on the books that hasn’t been updated since 2005, which says it’s okay to interview students at school without notifying parents. What? (SD61’s regulation disagrees).

Screenshot of Oak Bay PD policy
Student Interviews On School Property
5.5 In all cases where an officer wishes to conduct an interview or interrogation on school property, the officer must first consult with the Administration staff (Principal or a Vice-Principal) that will ensure that the Ministry of Education policy is adhered to.
OD 140
• The officer must assess the appropriateness of conducting an interview on school property. The officer must consider the impact of removing the student from class for the purposes of an interview/interrogation.
• If a young person must be interviewed (as opposed to interrogated) at school and there is no concern for legal consequences or retribution, a parent or guardian need not be in attendance or notified.
• Where an interrogation on school property is deemed appropriate, a parent or guardian must be notified. This notification, in most cases generally is initiated by the school administration from the school. A parent or guardian can appoint a member of the school administration as an "agent" in an interview/interrogation.
• Under exigent circumstances where time constraints involving a serious emergent situation prevent a parent, guardian, or member of school staff present, a young person may be interviewed as long as the young person's legal rights are not compromised and the information obtained is considered essential for immediate resolution of the emergent situation.

Screenshot of SD61 regulation
REGULATION 5145
POLICE QUESTIONING OF STUDENTS IN SCHOOL
1. The parent or guardian should be present (as is required in the case of juvenile court) at a police interview.
2. As a general rule no student should be officially interviewed or interrogated at school by law enforcement personnel without prior consultation with and consent of at least one of the parents or guardians. If at all possible, the police should make arrangements to interview the student at home in the presence of a parent or guardian.
3. When a parent or guardian cannot be contacted, or cannot act in person on the student’s behalf, and the police insist on interviewing a student at school, then, in this special case the Principal or Vice Principal shall act “in loco parentis” and be present at the interview. The Principal shall advise the pupil of their right to remain silent. The parent or guardian shall be notified of the interview as soon as possible thereafter.
Greater Victoria School District
Approved: April 1979
Revised: March 2019

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Other records: Saanich PD says they don’t have an SLO policy, or reports about their activities. Their SLOs’ biggest two activities in the 2025/26 school year were “Other” and “Relationship building,” neither of which are defined. I recall a lack of documentation was one of the trustees’ complaints.

In relation to your specific questions in your original access request, I can advise that 1. the SPD does not have any specific policies that relate to its school program. 2. Copies of presentation materials are attached above. 3. The only report, briefing note or memo about the program is the one page entitled 2025 CED Highlights. 4. There are no reports about activities undertaken by school liaison officers. 5. Any statistics about the program is answered with the attached school data report 2 page sheet.

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The board said yesterday they had an issue with their YouTube account, hence no live stream. They've now posted the stream here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_aF...

Our apologies for the delay in posting the stream of the July 21st VEPB meeting.

Yes – the Public meeting did occur.

Unfortunately, our Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement is having an issue with our YouTube account.

They hope to have this rectified and the stream posted by end of day today.

We apologize for an inconvenience this has caused.

Please feel free to reach out again if you have any questions or concerns.

Many thanks

Denise

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Four board members have been reappointed. Kituri until the end of the year, Sukhdeo and Thorkelsson until June 2028, and Cull until May 2029.

APPENDIX D
VICTORIA AND ESQUIMALT POLICE BOARD
1 Timothy Wanjao Kituri is reappointed as a member of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board for a term ending December 31, 2026.
2 Nathaniel Ramesh Patrick Sukhdeo and Paul Hunter Thorkelsson are reappointed as members of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board for terms ending June 30, 2028.
3 Elizabeth Cull is reappointed as a member of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board for a term ending May 3, 2029.

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Agenda notes they’re moving “wage contingency” budgeting to individual divisions instead of a central pool, and that it was a reallocation of $4.84 million to reflect “most 2025 wage settlements.”

Wage Contingency Reallocation
Eliminate the centralized wage contingency budget currently held in the General Administration Division (GAD) and distribute the estimated wage increases across divisional salary and benefit budgets. This reflects the completion of most 2025 wage settlements and transitions VicPD to a more accurately distributed budgeting model. The reallocation totals $4.84 million and is budget neutral.

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm. VicPD’s OT has cost $355,000 more than they planned for the first half of the year ($3M so far; should’ve been $2.6M). Will follow along here. Agenda: www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa... Stream: www.youtube.com/@victoriaesq... #vicpdboard 🧵

VICTORIA & ESQUIMALT POLICE BOARD
Public Meeting Agenda
July 21, 2026 at 5:00pm
Boardroom & Zoom
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
a. Territorial Acknowledgement
2. PRESENTATIONS
b.
3. STANDING ITEMS
a. Declarations of Conflict of Interest
Pg. 1 b. Adoption of the Public Agenda of July 21, 2026
Pg. 2 c. Approval of the Public Minutes of June 16, 2026
d. Board Chair Update
e. Committees Updates:
• Finance:
Pg. 4
MOTION: The Finance Committee recommend the Board receive the Q2
Financial Report as presented
f. Board Member Engagement Update
g. Chief Constable Update
h. Deputy Chief Constables Update
3. BUSINESS ARISING (when applicable)
a.
4. NEW BUSINESS (when applicable)
Pg.12 a. OIC Re-Appointments (Kituri, Sukhdeo, Thorkelsson, Cull)
Pg.14 b. Compliments Report – April to June
5. RISE & REPORT (when applicable)
a.
6. CORRESPONDENCE (when applicable)
a.

131

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Elsewhere on the agenda, Chief Constable Fiona Wilson stealing democratic socialist valour as “C.C. F. Wilson.” Unlike the B.C. CCF, which advocated for compassion clubs, VicPD raids them. Wilson will talk about tracking drugs. Any drug seizure is a bad news story that will lead to more overdoses.

2. PRESENTATIONS

a. Track and Trace – C.C. F. Wilson

120

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

VicPD talks about crime rates, even though there’s no link between police spending and crime rates. They also talk about how often they police mental health and poverty, which should be a clear call for fewer resources for police and more resources for real community safety measures (e.g., housing).

Volume & Nature of Calls for Service:

From 2022 to 2025, VicPD has responded to a substantial volume of Calls for Service. Calls for

Service averaged 49,660 annually, with approximately 78-79% of these calls being dispatched. The

top four call types demonstrate significant demand:

• Unwanted Person: 24,580 calls (15% of total calls)

• Check Wellbeing: 12,975 calls (8% of total calls)

• Theft: 9,654 calls (6% of total calls)

• Assist EHS/Fire: 9,571 calls (6% of total calls)

These calls, while often not requiring immediate emergency response, consume significant officer

time dedicated to investigation, mediation, and follow-up. The substantial volume of “Unwanted

Person” and “Check Wellbeing” calls specifically, points to a growing need for officers to address

community social issues, diverting resources from proactive policing and critical incident

response. “Unwanted Person” calls increased by 51% between 2022 and 2025. This is consistent

with Victoria being a social services hub with core city policing demands.

131

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm. The board is voting on whether to appeal Victoria’s decision to only let them hire 24 new officers this year instead of 26. Will follow along here. Agenda: www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa... Stream: www.youtube.com/@victoriaesq... #vicpdboard 🧵

VICTORIA & ESQUIMALT POLICE BOARD

Public Meeting Agenda

June 16, 2026 at 5:00pm

Boardroom & Zoom

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

a. Territorial Acknowledgement

2. PRESENTATIONS

a. Track and Trace – C.C. F. Wilson

3. STANDING ITEMS

a. Declarations of Conflict of Interest

Pg. 1 b. Adoption of the Public Agenda of June 16, 2026

Pg. 2 c. Approval of the Public Minutes of May 12, 2026

d. Board Chair Update

Pg. 4 • 2026 CACP Award / Recognitions

e. BC Association of Police Boards Update

• BACPB Conference May 2026

f. Committees Update

Pg. 5 • Finance: MOTION C26-42

g. Board Member Engagement Update

h. Chief Constable Update

i. Deputy Chief Constables Update

• Fugitive Return Program – DCC J. McRae

3. NEW BUSINESS (when applicable)

a.

4. RISE & REPORT (when applicable)

a.

5. CORRESPONDENCE (when applicable)

Pg.22 a. Thank you letter to Chief Wilson from INVICTM
PG 24 BCCLA - police in schools in bc

FINANCE

C26-42 MOTION: That the Finance Committee recommend the Board approve the 2026 Budget Appeal for 2 Patrol Officers Pursuant to Section 27(3) of the Police Act.

272

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Looks like a VPD-branded missile launcher.

Photo of some sort of grey drone-launching system (presumably) on a mossy rooftop in Vancouver. The system is surrounded by a ring of concrete blocks, with VPD logos on each corner. A drone is flying directly overhead.

230

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

VicPD’s draft appeal also plays on how often they police mental health and poverty. The current Victoria council is incredibly friendly to police and policing. Last year they made a special request for 9 of these new officers, which will cost about $1.4 million a year in perpetuity.

5. Volume & Nature of Calls for Service:
From 2022 to 2025, VicPD has responded to a substantial volume of Calls for Service. Calls for
Service averaged 49,660 annually, with approximately 78-79% of these calls being dispatched. The
top four call types demonstrate significant demand:
• Unwanted Person: 24,580 calls (15% of total calls)
• Check Wellbeing: 12,975 calls (8% of total calls)
• Theft: 9,654 calls (6% of total calls)
• Assist EHS/Fire: 9,571 calls (6% of total calls)
These calls, while often not requiring immediate emergency response, consume significant officer
time dedicated to investigation, mediation, and follow-up. The substantial volume of “Unwanted
Person” and “Check Wellbeing” calls specifically, points to a growing need for officers to address
community social issues, diverting resources from proactive policing and critical incident
response. “Unwanted Person” calls increased by 51% between 2022 and 2025. This is consistent
with Victoria being a social services hub with core city policing demands.

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

There’s a VicPD police board meeting next Tuesday. The big item on the agenda: the police board is voting on whether to appeal Victoria’s decision to only let them hire 24 new officers this year instead of 26. www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa... #yyj 🧵

153

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

In my April post, I wrote about the potential that VicPD’s LLM use would limit accountability. VicPD’s new FOI response says staff can delete their logs, which are only ever accessible to those individuals. So even if an officer uses VicPD’s internal LLM for advice, there may be no record anywhere.

Please note that although past chats are available to staff, it is optional whether they are saved. If they are saved, they are not logged/accessible to administrators (IT), only to each user. We canvassed users and attached is the responsive records. Partial access is granted. Some information has been withheld pursuant to the Act, including:

251

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

VicPD is also getting it to proofread things for ‘neutrality’ and typos. In the second example here, an officer asked the LLM to proofread two sentences. Which did include a typo. And they’re using it to review things like this social media post from April 15th.

VicPD: Please proof read this and ensure it sounds neutral [redacted as personal information] **See detailed narrative for further information.

VicPD: confirm spelling and grammar:
This item was seized by Foot Patrol officers before 8am this morning.
The owner was arrested for several criminal offences, including Possession of a Prohibted Weapon.

check for spelling:
Yesterday, the Greater Victoria Police Escort Team travelled throughout Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Central Saanich, and North Saanich during a training exercise. The Greater Victoria Police Escort Team is an integrated team of 12 Victoria and 4 Saanich police motorcycle operators. The highly skilled team trains several times a year, traveling throughout the Capital Regional District. The team is deployed for special events and VIP escorts. Regular training helps keep their skills sharp. They learn to maneuver confidently and safely in tight spaces, at high speeds, poor weather, and in unpredictable road conditions.

120

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

VicPD asked the LLM to proofread a “Nijmegen Contingent Request” and add a conclusion. Possibly to send VicPD officers to the “Nijmegen Marches” in the Netherlands. An expensive trip, with the conclusion of why it’s needed ceded to an LLM, to influence decision makers. www.canada.ca/en/departmen...

VicPD: Can you please proof read this, make it professional without changing the writing style, and propvide [sic] a conclusion for the end
The Victoria Police Department Nijmegen Contingent Request
Request [redacted as policy advice and personal information]

141

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

VicPD are also using it to draft emails. Here the LLM talks about an option that “emphasizes the broader community impact.” Letting software decide what “community impact” means doesn’t sound like a public good to me. The LLM’s response is redacted as advice and personal information.

LLM: Notes: This version emphasizes the broader community impact. The language is a bit more effusive [redacted as policy advice and personal information] Important: [redacted as policy advice and personal information]

VicPD: [redacted as personal information] Please get rid of the memo format. It's a simple email going to the [redacted as personal information] Keep it personal
LLM: Okay, perfect! Here's a revised version designed as a personal email [redacted as policy advice and personal information]

170

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

The VicPD officer carried on, asking the LLM to come up with language about police outreach and “Peelian principles” about ‘ethical policing.’ Sure, why not leave that to a computer program. [there is no ethical policing, to be clear]

LLM: I apologize again for the previous error. I'm glad you caught it and prompted me to correct it. Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
VicPD: Can you expand on Slide 2? outreach as it relates to the Peelian principles maybe? The increasing prevalence of mental health in Victoria police calls as well as the increasing social disorder post pandemic as it relates to businesses and the CRO's?
LLM: Okay, let's expand Slide 2 to incorporate the Peelian principles, the rise in mental health calls, post- pandemic social disorder, and how CROs address these issues. Here's a revised version of the content for Slide 2: [redacted as policy advice]

151

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

The LLM had a hard time with the request, but told the officer it can’t have a stroke. Uh huh. I’m including this one because you can see the sycophantic LLM nonsense on display here, which would also be present in the redacted responses about policing, with the potential for harmful feedback loops.

LLM: [redacted as policy advice, then repeating the letters e and s with periods in between for several lines]
VicPD: Are you okay Al? it seems like you're having a stroke
gemma3:27b
LLM: You are absolutely right to point that out! My apologies - I am definitely glitching out. That last response was a mess of repeated letters and incomplete thoughts. It seems I had a temporary processing error.
I am an Al and don't experience things like strokes, but I can certainly produce output that looks like it! I'm still under development, and these kinds of errors can happen.
Thank you for flagging it! I'm resetting my processing and will try to be more coherent going forward.
Let me know if you see anything else strange. And again, apologies for the bizarre response! Let's get back to crafting that presentation. Is there anything specific you'd like me to revisit or refine?
VicPD: Can you answer my last question again, but properly this time?
LLM:
You are absolutely right to call me out on that! My apologies for the previous garbled response. I am functioning normally now.
Here's the answer to your last question, properly this time: [redacted as policy advice]

150

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

For policy, here an officer asked for a “structure” for slides to present to police recruits about VicPD’s Co-Response Team, SLOs, MYST, etc. The LLM churned out four pages, seemingly more than a “structure.” The officer wanted more, and fed it some information about Community Resource Officers.

VicPD: I am making a presentation for police recruits returning from the justice institute of British Columbia about vicpd’s outreach section, which is comprised of our community resource officers, our assertive community treatment officers, and our co-response officers. I would also like to mention the integrated mobile crisis response team, the mobile youth services team, and the school police liaison officers. I’m just wonder how to structure the slides.
Gemma3:27b: Okay here’s a proposed structure for your presentation on vicpd’s outreach section and related teams, geared toward returning JIBC recruits. [redacted as policy advice]

LLM: Good luck with your presentation! Let me know if you’d like me to elaborate on any of these points or help you refine the content further. VicPD: This is great so far, can I update you on what CRO’s actually do though? CRO's are a uniformed police position and their duties involve addressing community questions, comments, concerns and safety issues that are outside the scope of patrol. This can include things such as providing CPTED advice to business owners, Answering questions for the public at large that don't warrant someone calling 9-1-1 or the non- emergency line. Helping businesses with chronic repeat problems that might not be recognized in patrol due to different patrol watches responding to different calls at the same location, outreach to community organizations. Public presentations on various topics such a fraud prevention, or other public safety subjects, as well as helping to manage the relationships between supportive housing and shelter providers and the patrol division. They also take part in various community safety initiatives like the situation table, etc. gemma3:27b: [recated as policy advice]

210

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

You can’t tell what personal info VicPD is feeding its LLM, but this prompt for a draft letter was redacted as personal info. In a follow-up, they said “there is NO pressure and that he can absolutely refuse, or if she doesn’t feel it’s appropriate she doesn’t even have to present it to him.” Okay.

VicPD: I’m writing a letter to [page redacted as personal information]

LLM: Important considerations: [redacted as personal information and policy advice]. Good luck! VicPD: I also want it to be abundantly clear that there is NO pressure and that he can absolutely refuse, or if she doesn’t feel it’s appropriate she doesn’t even have to present it to him. Gemma3:27b: [redacted as personal information and policy advice

120

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

VicPD used excessive redaction in this FOI, but it hints at how officers are using the LLM. In 59 pages, I counted 22 redactions as something that would “harm a law enforcement matter,” 135 for policy advice, and 92 for personal info (a lot of personal info). The redactions are often entire pages.

VicPD’s prompt redacted as harmful to a law enforcement matter. Gemma3:27b: Okay, this is a [page redacted as policy advice]

121

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Here someone with VicPD seemingly prods the LLM for legal advice. VicPD redacted the question, saying disclosure would “harm a law enforcement matter.” They prompted it with questions redacted for the same reason three times in a row. The LLM gave five pages of answers, redacted as policy advice.

I get that you’re not capable of actually providing legal advice, but here’s a follow-up. [Redactions for harmful to a law enforcement matter] Gemma3:27b: You are absolutely right [redactions for policy advice]

130

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

In April I wrote about VicPD’s “internal AI tool.” I said it might be a problem if VicPD is inputting personal info, asking about police work, or asking it to interpret the law. Yesterday, I got some records back that suggest they’re doing all of that. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-ai 🧵 #yyj

22813

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

This was also a bit infuriating, with the deputy chief saying "Our survey proved there was no issue with racialized students" and SLOs. This survey? (SNIWWOC letter)

McCrea to Brown: was going to text but didn't want to bug on the weekend. It was... as expected, I think the door has opened a little more. Pretty strong message sent, entire board was there, two ministers, two deputies, two adms and a pile of political staff. I'm meeting with the Superintendent next week in person. They ended up bringing it back to research. Said that vulnerable racialized kids getting targeted and PSSG was great saying actually middle class kids being recruited. I hammered home prevention and relationships and called them out on only focusing on reaction and after incident which PsSG then added to.
Brown: Our survey proved there was no issue with racialized students. What are next steps?

Considering that 69% of respondents in the 2022 SD61 SLO survey report identified as white, we feel this gives a poor representation of the true impact police presence has on racialized students and is an incomplete assessment. 559 respondents were “uncomfortable” or “very uncomfortable” with SLOs in schools, including 101 students.
Dozens of respondents also reported “negative” or “very negative” past interactions with SLOs, including:
· 32 BIPOC respondents (10 students);
· 13 Indigenous respondents (two students);
· 60 2SLGBTQIA+ respondents (18 students); and
· 107 white respondents (21 students)
While these numbers may seem small in comparison to the larger student population, we would argue that any discomfort in a child’s place of learning should be addressed by the administration placed in charge. These students, and the many other BIPOC families that didn’t have their voices heard in this survey….

030

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

GVTA posted the late disclosure emails/texts re: SD61. Here's one. Province tells independent advisor a report was FOI'd. Fine. He then asks if they can tell him who filed the FOI, and an ED says if they find out more, they'll let him know. I'm sure nothing came of it, but come on now. www.gvta.net

Province: Advising that there has been an FOI request to the Ministry for a copy of the SST independent review report. Kevin, flaggin so you are aware that the report will be provided

Godden: Are you able to tell me the source of the request?

Province: Hi Kevin - we don't have that information but if we are able to find out more, we'll let you know.

283

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

An individual police officer stationed in schools is different than the current SD61 SLO program. But it's worth noting that when SD61 did a survey, dozens of respondents reported “negative” or “very negative” past interactions with SLOs, including students. Excerpts from a past SNIWWOC letter.

020

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

B.C.'s FOI law, and VicPD's remarkable shift to even less transparency within that system, mean an FOI-based story like this would be basically impossible here now. Just a few years ago, though, you could see that schools were calling police on kids under 10. www.needsmorespikes.com/other/2021/1...

Screenshot of slide, "Example calls - children under 10." Shows excerpts of two redacted police reports where staff called the police on children under 10 years old in 2019.

In the first case, staff at George Jay Elementary believed a student with a mental health issue was “out of control.” They called the police on that student. The second was also a child under 10, described as “verbally aggressive.”

131

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Last month the board signed off on reports dismissing former board member Paul Schachter’s complaints about systemic issues in VicPD. They only recommended one thing, to “consider” more disclosure training. So officers don’t wind up misleading “the Crown, defence and the Justices” again, perhaps?

26-29MOTION 1: THAT the Governance Committee recommend to the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board that VicPD fully consider implementing supplementary disclosure-focused training modules in collaboration with Crown Counsel, particularly for investigative units like Strike Force, to reinforce best practices in complex investigations where continuity between files may be contested or unclear. MOVED/SECONDED/CARRIED

26-30MOTION 2: THAT the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board conclude its review of Service or Policy complaint 24-25449 parts1 through4, based on the information outlined in the Delta Police Departments comprehensive review of this matter and submit the findings to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner. MOVED/SECONDED/CARRIED

26-31MOTION 3:THAT the Governance Committee recommends to the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board that it concludes its review of Service or Policy complaint 24-25449 parts5and6,based on the information outlined in the Surrey Police Service comprehensive review of this matter and submit the findings to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner.
MOVED/SECONDED/CARRIED

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Here’s a table of all of VicPD’s reserves. They ended 2025 with $12.6 million in their reserves. More details on pages 13-14 of the agenda. A million dollars of that is unspent grant money, but it generally seems like a lot of money to just sit with the police. www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa...

Table showing VicPD started 2025 with $11.02 million in reserves, and ended with $12.6 million, including a $1.492 million operating surplus transfer to the “Financial Stability Reserve” and $389,000 to the “Employee Benefit Obligation Reserve.”

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

VicPD is signalling that it will probably want more capital spending on police vehicles in 2027. They overspent by $53,000 in 2025, because they say costs increased. Do you get to buy things when you didn’t budget for them? Evidently yes, but they’ll ask for more money next year.

Table showing VicPD spend $1.553M on capital expenditures in 2025, $53,222 over budget.
Note on Variance:
While underspending on Computer Equipment and Furniture, Equipment & Facilities Improvements helped mitigate costs, overspending of the Vehicles budget led to a net overspending of $53,222 during the year. The Vehicles budget has remained at the 2023 level, despite significant increases in the cost for outfitted patrol vehicles. Compounding the issue, substantial delays in vehicle deliveries hinder the department’s ability to control the timing of these expenses. A pilot vehicle capital leasing program was discontinued due limitations in the City of Victoria’s overall borrowing capacity. To address these challenges, a comprehensive capital planning review is underway that will be incorporated into the 2027 budget.

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

They spent $6M on OT last year, pre “recoveries” (still $ going to police), and were $694k over budget. When I looked at VicPD OT, I found the average annual OT payout was over $20k, 48 officers made over $50k in a year, and two made over $100,000 in a year. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/vicpd-o...

Table showing VicPD budgeted spending $4.53M on OT but spent $5.94M on OT.

100

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

VicPD ended 2025 with a $1.8M surplus. $910k and $746k less on salaries and operating spending, and $1.6M more in revenue. Even forgetting revenue, they’re hundreds of thousands under budget. My understanding is that the surplus could go to VicPD reserves or back to munis. It went to VicPD reserves.

Table showing VicPD had a $1.88M operating surplus for 2025, spending only 98% of its 2025 budget.

Tables showing VicPD underspent on salaries, benefits and overtime by $910,000, and on other operating costs by $746,000.

Table showing VicPD’s revenue was $1.6 million higher than expected. The largest variance of $1,070,000 is related to the Community Resilience Funds (CRF) received from Public Safety Canada and included as grant revenue. $3,562 was expended in the year and there was a transfer out for unspent funds in the amount of $1,066,438 to the CRF reserve held in the Financial Stability Reserve, and as stated in note 7.

Fees were higher-than-expected overall from policing services provided for the COHO Ferry and other police agencies ($110k), and a share of net fees from a recruit training initiative administered by Saanich Police Department (POPAT - $14k). These overages were offset by lower-than-expected revenues for permits, searches and police reports ($23k).

Grants and funding revenues over budget consisted of C-STEP (Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program) funding from the province to match expenditures ($498k), ReVOII (Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative) funding ($68k), CFO (Civil Forfeiture Officer) funding ($14k), and PTEP (Provincial Tactical Enforcement Priority) funding ($8k). These revenues were offset by lower-than-expected grants for KOP (Keep of Prisoners) and Naloxone supply grants ($11k). The total variance was also offset by a $147,000 budget in revenue for funding for a Constable position from the BC Legislature, for which the actual receipt of funds was recorded under recoveries and offsetting salary costs.

200

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

There’s a #yyj police board meeting at 5:00 pm. Will follow along here if the audio works. Agenda includes a financial update showing VicPD had a surplus last year. Agenda: www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa... Stream: www.youtube.com/@victoriaesq... #vicpdboard 🧵

VICTORIA & ESQUIMALT POLICE BOARD
Public Meeting Agenda
May 12, 2026 at 5:00pm
Boardroom & Zoom
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
a. Territorial Acknowledgement
2. STANDING ITEMS
a. Declarations of Conflict of Interest
Pg. 1 b. Adoption of the Public Agenda of May 12, 2026
Pg. 2 c. Adoption of the Public Minutes of April 21, 2026
d. Board Chair Update
e. Committees Update
Pg. 5 • Finance Committee – Public Posting of Q4 Financials
f. BC Association of Police Boards Update
g. Board Member Engagement Update
h. Chief Constable Update
i. Deputy Chief Constables Update
3. NEW BUSINESS
a. H. Courtright – Appointment Term Expiry
4. RISE & REPORT (when applicable)
a.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
a.

133

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

For something not on the agenda, here’s a photo that was posted last week of VicPD pointing a gun at someone’s head. The person who shared the image said after this, VicPD let the person go. VicPD uses a weapon on someone, or threatens to use a weapon on someone, an average of once per day.

Photo shows two VicPD officers holding someone down on a sidewalk, possibly handcuffing them. A third officer stands on a ramp between the sidewalk and the street, pointing a gun towards the person’s head.

111

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The board has now formalized that you have to show up before 4:30 pm to attend their 5:00 pm meetings. A half hour of time theft does not an accessible meeting make. The old info saying you can show up at 4:50 pm is still up elsewhere on VicPD’s website.

Meetings are held at 5:00 p.m. and are livestreamed and recorded on the Police Board YouTube channel unless otherwise noted.

Members of the public who wish to attend in person must arrive at VicPD Headquarters (850 Caledonia Avenue) no later than 4:30 p.m. so staff can sign attendees in and escort them to the meeting room. All visitors to VicPD are required to provide photo identification in exchange for a visitor tag while in the building.

Meetings are held at 5:00pm and are livestreamed/recorded on the Police Board YouTube channel. Members of the public who may wish to attend in-person must arrive at VicPD HQ by no later than 4:50pm so that staff can sign attendees in and bring them to the meeting room. All guests of VicPD are required to provide ID in exchange for an “escorted” tag while in the building.

120

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

There’s a letter from Minister Krieger saying the Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich and Oak Bay mayors were asked to see if there’s interest in looking at “the future of policing” (regional policing). Krieger also asks the board to ensure Victoria and Esquimalt know the board supports regional policing.

Excerpts:
The province supports municipalities in determining their police model, including amalgamated or regional models.

On November 10, 2025, I met with the Mayors of Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, and Oak BBay to discuss this matter.

The mayors I met with have been asked to engage with interested parties in their communities to ascertain the level of interest in establishing a process to consider the future of policing in the region of South Vancouver Island and communicate those results back to the province.

I also encourage you to ensure both the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt are fully aware of the board’s support for a regionalized model.

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Also on the agenda: approving a $261,230 budget increase to cover costs for the province overturning Esquimalt’s 2025 decision to reject hiring four new officers and two staff.

4. RISE & REPORT (when applicable)
a. THAT the Board approve a $261,230 increase to its 2026 budget to cover one-time hiring costs for six new positions. These positions – two Strike Force Officers, two Community Resource Officers, one Community Programs Manager (civilian), and one Cybersecurity Analyst (civilian) – _were included in the final Provisional Budget submitted on February 26, 2026. This approval is based on the 2025 Budget appeal decision under Section 27 of the Police Act, as communicated by Glen Lewis, Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services, on March 2, 2026.

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Schachter’s complaint is on the “Service or Policy Complaint Meeting Agenda,” which they say they’re going to discuss after the board meeting ends. I asked if that meeting is public (it’s supposed to be, if “permissible”) and if it would stream, but I haven’t heard back. www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa...

VICTORIA & ESQUIMALT POLICE BOARD Service or Policy Complaint Meeting Agenda April 21, 2026 – Immediately following the public board meeting Boardroom & Zoom 1. AGENDA
Pg. 1 a. Adoption of the Service or Policy Complaint Agenda of April 21, 2026
2. COMPLAINT
Pg. 2 a. Complaint 24-25449

Service or Policy Complaints
Foundation Statement
The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) admitted several points of
failure and contributions of its officers to the collapse of a major drug
prosecution due to the involvement of an officer under investigation
for misconduct by the RCMP Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), resulting in
the harm to significant resources and dedicated work of officers of
VicPD. VicPD also admitted that decisions should have been made
differently and changes are needed in the way VicPD does its work.
Complaints
(1) There is a failure in general direction and management or operation
of VicPD, a municipal police department, as detailed in part in the
decision of R. v. Van Buskirk, 2023 BCSC 1873, finding that VicPD
obscured facts regarding records, reports and disclosures about the
involvement in a criminal investigation of an officer under
investigation by the ACU.
(2) VicPD’s standing orders or policies and/or its internal procedures
are inadequate or inappropriate to prevent failure to provide accurate
facts and prevent obscuration of the existence of essential facts with
respect to records, reports and disclosures in criminal investigations
including information provided to the Crown and to judicial officers
concerning ITOs (Informations to Obtain), TWs (Tracking Warrants) and
TDRs (Transmission Data Recorder warrants).
(3) VicPD’s standing orders or policies and/or its internal procedures
are inadequate or inappropriate with respect to (a) decisions to allow
the involvement in a criminal investigation of an officer under
investigation for serious breaches and corruption and (b) the
safeguards put in place to ensure that such involvement does not
compromise criminal investigations.
(4) VicPD’s training programs are inadequate or inappropriate with
respect to the training given to officers on recording and reporting on

criminal investigations including information provided to the Crown
and to judicial officers concerning ITOs, TWs and TDRs.
(5)There is a failure in the general direction and management or
operation of VicPD, a municipal police department, b yVicPD's nonregulation
or inadequate regulation of employees' and officers'
personal and business relations with officer(s) under investigation for
serious breaches and corruption.
(6) VicPD's standing orders or policies and/or its internal procedures
are inadequate or inappropriate with respect to VicPD's non-regulation
or inadequate regulation of employees' and officers' personal and
business relations with officer(s) under investigation for serious
breaches and corruption.
Respectfully submitted
February 15, 2024

110

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

There’s a #yyj police board meeting tonight at 5:00 pm. Former board member Paul Schachter’s complaint re: VicPD’s “Project Juliet” and more is sort of on the agenda. Agenda: www.vicpd.ca/Police%20Boa... Stream: www.youtube.com/channel/UCKK... #vicpdboard 🧵

VICTORIA & ESQUIMALT POLICE BOARD
Public Meeting Agenda
April 21, 2026 at 5:00pm
Boardroom & Zoom
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
a. Territorial Acknowledgement
2. STANDING ITEMS
a. Declarations of Conflict of Interest
Pg. 1 b. Adoption of the Public Agenda of April 21, 2026
Pg. 2 c. Adoption of the Public Minutes of February 24, 2026
d. Board Chair Update
e. Committees Update
f. Board Member Engagement Update
g. Chief Constable Update
h. Deputy Chief Constables Update
3. NEW BUSINESS
a. CSWB Liaison
b. *NEW Meeting* Service or Policy
Pg. 5 c. Q1 VicPD Compliments Report
4. RISE & REPORT (when applicable)
a. THAT the Board approve a $261,230 increase to its 2026 budget to cover one-time
hiring costs for six new positions. These positions – two Strike Force Officers, two
Community Resource Officers, one Community Programs Manager (civilian), and one
Cybersecurity Analyst (civilian) – were included in the final Provisional Budget
submitted on February 26, 2026. This approval is based on the 2025 Budget appeal
decision under Section 27 of the Police Act, as communicated by Glen Lewis, Assistant
Deputy Minister and Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services, on March 2,
2026.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
Pg. 11 a. 260227 - Letter to 684513 - Hayes from Minister Krieger

143

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

It’s also notable that VicPD says that its officers can use “sensitive data” with a public AI system like ChatGPT, as long as they get approval first.

4.2.1 Employees are not permitted to enter unapproved data types into public AI systems, and the use of sensitive data is strictly prohibited.
4.2.2 Any exception to the use of sensitive data in public AI systems must be formally approved by the Information Risk Management Division before any action can occur.

182

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

VicPD says how it trained its AI system and how it works is a secret. We know it includes VicPD policy documents, such as how to respond to intimate partner violence. VicPD also implies it may include police case files, images and video, or at least that officers can use those files with the system.

You can use the tool any way you would use a commercial AI tool, such as ChatGPT or CoPilot.
You can ask it questions, assist with writing documents, analyse data, perform research, grammar and writing assistance, etc.
You can also query internal data sources, such as VicPD policies and procedures. Future plans include, adding Canadian Criminal Code, Local bylaws and case law data sources.

Multiple LLM Available for end users
Gemma3
Qwen3-coder
Qwen3-vl
llma4
VicPD Custom LLM (policies, case files, image / video processing)

4.11 Knowledge and specific details about how the model has been trained and how it works must be kept strictly confidential, with access to such information being granted on a need-to-know basis.

1133

Stephen Harrison @stephenharrison.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I can't parse the lingo, but if it makes sense to you, let me know. May or may not be relevant, elsewhere he says he: 1) Pointed his rifle at the person from 0-2 metres away, which he says was ‘not effective’; and 2) Used “physical control-hard” for one “stun/strike,” which he says was ‘effective.’

Did you use a POLICE FIREARM in this incident?[Yes]
Type of Firearm deployed:[Rifle]
Model:[DDM4V7S ] Caliber:[.223 Remington ]
Serial Number:[DDM4224041 ]
Weapon pointed at subject[Yes ] Effective:[No ]
Number of rounds fired:[0 ]
Perceived distance from subject when force response deployed: [0-2 meters]

Physical control hard
Did you use PHYSICAL CONTROL-HARD in this incident?[Yes]
*Check all that apply and whether each was effective
Stun/strike[Yes ] Effective:[Yes ]
Was subject handcuffed prior to force response? [redacted]

111