Saanich Police Department

The Saanich Police Department (SPD) is the police force for the District of Saanich, British Columbia. It is one of several police departments within the Capital Regional District. It consists of 181 sworn members, supported by 60 civilians and 50 volunteer Reserve Constables.
The Saanich Police were the first police force in North America to deploy BMW R1200RT-P motorcycles, a model specifically designed for police use.
The Saanich Police are the first police force in Canada to use podcasts for crime prevention, unsolved crimes and media updates.
The Saanich Police are also the first police force in Canada to have a mobile shooting range, named "Road Range", a self-contained facility to train officers with the use of firearms but unlike traditional shooting ranges, it is a soundproof system in a trailer, that can be deployed across the Greater Victoria Region.
In seven of fifteen years, up to 2005, the Saanich Police have had Canada's top police dog, as chosen at national championships, an unusual feat for a smaller department.
Organization
Saanich Police is led by Chief Constable Dean Duthie, supported by two Deputy Chief Constable who oversee six divisions as outlined below:
* Uniform
* Detective
* Professional standards audits and plans
* Administration
* Staff development
* Community engagement
The 9-1-1 service point for contacting the SPD is at the Saanich Integrated Police/Fire Communications Centre which was officially opened on December 11, 2008. Unlike traditional emergency communication/police dispatch centres, the centre serves the following municipalities and districts with an approximate population of 170,000 : North Saanich, Sidney, Central Saanich (collectively known as Saanich Peninsula), Oak Bay and Saanich itself.
Integrated road safety unit (IRSU)
Two Saanich police officers are seconded to the 15-member IRSU. The IRSU is mandated to "providing intelligence led enforcement while targeting aggressive driving behaviors, reducing alcohol-related crashes and encouraging the use of seatbelts" within the Capital Regional District. This unit comprises officers from Saanich, Victoria Police Department, Oak Bay Police Department, Central Saanich Police and the RCMP under an agreement with the BC Ministry of Public Safety and solicitor general and they patrol in specially RCMP marked cars and are able to enforce laws outside their municipal jurisdiction.

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