New Zine Drop!
We’ve updated our resources page, including the 2026 It’s time to Defund VicPD zine, and the Reduce the Police Budget flyer. Updates made with the 2026-2030 Financial Plan officially adopted by City Council on May 7, 2026. How you can help Distribute Zines and Flyers! Download the files from our resources page, and print, share…
Keep reading
VicPD cop worked on Pandora Avenue “Beat Team” while under investigation for sexual assault
Sharing this fabulous article from the good folks at P.O.W.E.R. (police oversight group). READ FULL ARTICLE
Keep reading
Human Rights Groups Call for End of Police in Schools Programs
There are two big updates we have to share with you, our subscribers, from the past week. First If you haven’t seen it, the BC Civil Liberties Association and Policing-Free Schools (Canada) put out a great letter calling on an end to police in schools in B.C. Second The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board voted…
Keep reading
Texts Available: VicPD and Deputy Minister texts released
The GVTA has shared the affidavit acquired that shows the newly revealed text and emails between deputy chief of police Mike Brown, Associate Deputy Minister of Education, Jennifer McCrea, and special advisor, Kevin Godden. To learn more about how these messages led to the reinstatement of the SD61 Trustees after being fired for preventing the…
Keep reading
An Army of Losers Cannot Fail
Perhaps you are familiar with the queer adage, “an army of lovers cannot fail.” Newly revealed text messages between deputy chief of police Mike Brown and Associate Deputy Minister of Education, Jennifer McCrea refer to those who attended the grassroots No 2 SPLOs SD61 rally in January 2025 as “losers.” It seems that when losers…
Keep reading
International Day Against Police Brutality: A Reflection
“I don’t think we can rely on governments, regardless of who is in power, to do the work that only mass movements can do.” – Angela Davis, Freedom is a constant struggle Today, March 15, 2026, marks the 30th annual International Day Against Police Brutality. Started by Montreal-based group The Collective Opposed to Police Brutality…
Keep reading
Wins & updates from budget discussions, March 3, 2026
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026 City Council discussed and voted on a number of budget issues. More to come soon, but here are some updates so far: Wins to celebrate This is exactly what they should be doing: taking money they previously would have thrown at policing, and reallocating it to real community supports. We…
Keep reading
While VicPD asks for even more money, 98% of people oppose increase
There’s been some movement around VicPD’s budget this week. First, the good news: Victoria council reported they heard from over 200 people who opposed VicPD’s budget increase. An overwhelming 98% of people who commented on the police budget as part of the city’s consultation opposed the increase. Thank you to everyone who made a submission,…
Keep reading
City councils choose to spend on police over community safety
City councillors in both Victoria and Esquimalt have been telling people they have limited control over VicPD’s requested $11 million, 14% budget increase, but it’s not true. Last summer, Victoria city councillors asked for nine more police officers, at a permanent annual cost of $1.4 million (the average VicPD officer made $156,000 in 2024). That…
Keep reading
Victoria’s Draft Budget Input Opportunity
It’s that time of year again, time to “HAVE YOUR SAY”! If you live in Victoria, tell Mayor and Council to reject a 14% budget increase for VicPD, including hiring 25 more officers, and instead invest that money in initiatives that actually foster safety, such as housing, neighbourhoods, arts and culture, and libraries. If you…
Keep reading
Stats show VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed
Courtesy of our comrade at Needs More Spikes, here are some stats reminding us that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. It’s also a reminder to write to council and tell them to reduce VicPD’s proposed budget! We have a template letter if you need some inspiration. You can also sign our petition before November 20,…
Keep reading
City releases 2026 Draft Budget – big cuts proposed to make way for police funding
The City of Victoria has released the 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan, along with some early budget deliberations by city staff. They’re thinking about cutting all sorts of things. The City is proposing big cuts this year. But VicPD is demanding a 14%, $11 million budget increase for 2026. And the city is gearing up to…
Keep reading
2026 VicPD Draft Budget dropped
VicPD just announced they’re asking for a $90 million budget next year, up $11 million, or 14%, from 2025. Compared to just five years ago, that’s a $31 million, 52% increase. VicPD is already the most expensive police department per capita in B.C., but in 2026, VicPD wants 25 more officers at a cost of…
Keep reading
VicPD is Back in SD61 Schools
School is back in session, and School Police Liaison Officers (SPLO) are back too. To learn more about the history of the SPLO program and what it means for communities now that it is back, check out the Police-in-Schools Campaign page. It’s all about the money, honey At the end of the day, the SPLO…
Keep reading
Defunding the police is a move towards community safety
“Defund should not be a dirty word”, writes Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Kevin Walby in this 2022 article. “In fact, defunding public police is a step towards choosing real safety for communities across Canada. Defunding means taking funds from police budgets, while shrinking the size and operations of police. At the same time, it…
Keep reading
Stay informed, and sign up to receive new posts directly to your inbox.