This site is in beta — data may be incomplete and features are still being added.

DocumentsPresentationMar 2, 2026Pages 18–63

West Shore RCMP Annual Report (2025)

The 2025 West Shore RCMP Annual Report summarizing policing activity, resources, statistics, unit descriptions, and community engagement across the West Shore detachment.

8 COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS

Key facts

  • Report year: 2025
  • Served population approx. 107,872
  • Total calls for service in 2025: 26,271
  • Frontline resources: 124 sworn officers and various municipal employees (42 full-time municipal employees)
  • Notable stats: 11,275 front counter contacts; 24,959 minutes of statements transcribed; busiest month: August

2025 BY THE NUMBERS

West Shore RCMP 2025 cover image
West Shore RCMP 2025 cover image
West Shore RCMP Annual Report title art
West Shore RCMP Annual Report title art
  • 2,369 TOTAL FILES IN THE MONTH
  • REPORTED INCIDENTS PER 1,000 RESIDENTS: 244
  • REPORTED INCIDENTS: 719
  • WEST SHORE RCMP SUBMITTED REPORTS TO CROWN COUNSEL (RCC): (667 Adults & 52 Youth)
  • 598 RCCS RECEIVED CHARGE APPROVAL (83%)
  • MINUTES OF STATEMENTS TRANSCRIBED: 24,959
    • Does not include statements taken by officers but not transcribed
    • WHICH EQUALS 17.3 Days
  • WEST SHORE RCMP INVESTIGATED 299 MISSING PERSONS FILES
    • All located, with the exception of one; presumed drowned.
  • WEST SHORE RCMP RESPONDED TO 12 LOST HIKERS
  • SEARCH & RESCUE WAS UTILIZED 12 TIMES
    • 7 Times - Land
    • 5 Times - Marine
  • FRONT COUNTER CONTACTS WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 11,275
    • DAILY CONTACTS AT FRONT COUNTER ON AVERAGE: 45
    • REPORTS CREATED AT THE FRONT DESK: 820
    • CIVIL FINGERPRINTS TAKEN: 799
    • POLICE INFORMATION CHECKS COMPLETED: 1,759
  • TOTAL DISCLOSURE UNIT REQUESTS: 1,836
  • BUSIEST MONTH WAS AUGUST
  • TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE: 26,271
  • WEST SHORE RCMP ENHANCED DIGITAL FORENSIC TRIAGE TECHNICIAN INVESTIGATED 81 COMPUTERS AND 45 CELLPHONES (total exhibits: 81 computers / 45 Apple phones / 31 Android phones)
“2025 By the Numbers” infographic panel
“2025 By the Numbers” infographic panel
Missing persons / search & rescue infographic
Missing persons / search & rescue infographic

Page 18–63

Message from the Officer in Charge

Photo or portrait associated with the Officer in Charge message
Photo or portrait associated with the Officer in Charge message

It is both an honour and a privilege to assume the role of Officer in Charge of the West Shore RCMP. I am grateful to follow Superintendent Todd Preston, whose leadership and dedication to public safety have left a strong foundation for our detachment. I would also like to sincerely thank Inspector Stephen Rose and Inspector Jag Saran for their effective leadership during this transition. I join the West Shore RCMP with nearly two decades of service in the RCMP, having had the opportunity to serve and lead in diverse communities across British Columbia. These experiences have shaped my collaborative approach to policing and my commitment to accountability, innovation, and community engagement.

West Shore RCMP operates under an integrated policing model that brings together five municipalities and two Indigenous Nations. This model allows for the seamless sharing of resources, expertise, and specialized services across jurisdictions, ensuring all communities benefit from consistent, high-quality policing. Through integration, we can deploy specialized units and subject-matter experts where they are needed most, increasing efficiency and responsiveness. It is also a cost-effective approach, allowing partner communities to maximize the value of their policing investment while maintaining access to a broad range of specialized capabilities. By working together, our integrated approach enhances public safety outcomes while respecting the unique needs and priorities of each community we serve.

West Shore remains one of the fastest growing regions in British Columbia. This growth brings opportunity, but it also presents increasing demands on policing services. Ensuring our policing resources keep pace with population growth is a priority. In the coming year, our focus will be on strengthening frontline capacity by increasing the number of uniformed general duty officers on our watches, allowing us to maintain responsiveness, visibility, and effective service delivery.

Sincerely,
Officer in Charge
West Shore RCMP

Investing in specialized policing services to meet the evolving needs of our communities continues to be a top priority. Over the past year, we have added an Economic Crime Unit and expanded several key areas, including the Indigenous and Community Policing Unit and our Investigative Support Team. These enhancements allow us to respond more effectively and further strengthen our partnerships.

Accountability and transparency remain central to our policing philosophy. In 2025, our frontline officers were outfitted with Body Worn Cameras. In the year ahead, we will continue training the remainder of our officers and select civilian staff on this technology, ensuring consistent and responsible use across the detachment.

I am proud to serve alongside the dedicated officers, civilian professionals, and volunteers of the West Shore RCMP. Their commitment to public safety, community well-being, and professionalism is evident every day. I look forward to working collaboratively with our municipal councils, Indigenous partners, and community stakeholders as we continue to build a safe, responsive, and trusted police service for the West Shore.

S U P E R I N T E N D E N T T E R R Y G I L L E S P I E

Our ability to deliver effective policing services is also directly tied to our infrastructure. The West Shore RCMP detachment currently operates out of two joint buildings—one constructed in the 1960s and the other in 1999—and we have reached capacity. We are engaged in ongoing discussions with our municipal partners regarding the construction of a new, modern detachment on the same site. This projected three-year build is critical to supporting our growing workforce, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of West Shore residents well into the future.

Photo of current detachment buildings
Photo of current detachment buildings

Page 18–63

WEST SHORE RCMP

RCMP & the West Shore Communities

West Shore RCMP proudly serves approximately 107,872 citizens and continues to be the fastest growing region on the South Island. The West Shore RCMP serves five municipalities including the Cities of Langford and Colwood, the Town of View Royal, and the Districts of Metchosin and Highlands. West Shore RCMP also provides policing services to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and portions of the Malahat.

West Shore RCMP police rural and suburban residential neighbourhoods, commercial and industrial zones, recreational waterfront areas, provincial and regional parks, and the Trans-Canada Highway.

Population data is an estimate provided by the Police Services Division.

Map showing Highlands, Langford, View Royal, Colwood, Metchosin, Malahat, Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation
Map showing Highlands, Langford, View Royal, Colwood, Metchosin, Malahat, Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation

2025 Paid Resources by Municipality

Pie chart or graphic of paid resources by municipality
Pie chart or graphic of paid resources by municipality
  • METCHOSIN: 4%
  • LANGFORD: 59.7%
  • COLWOOD: 19%
  • VIEW ROYAL: 11.6%
  • PROVINCIAL: 5.6%

2025 Resources in the West Shore

  • 124 Sworn Officers
  • 42 Full-Time Municipal Employees
  • 19 Casual Municipal Employees
  • 8 Commissionaires
  • 4 Reserve Constables
  • 1 Civilian Member
  • 1 Public Service Employee

In 2025, West Shore RCMP responded to 26,271 calls for service. An average of 72 calls per day.

2025 Calls for Service by Municipality

Pie chart of calls for service by municipality
Pie chart of calls for service by municipality
  • LANGFORD: 58%
  • COLWOOD: 20.1%
  • VIEW ROYAL: 12.7%
  • PROVINCIAL: 5.3%
  • METCHOSIN: 3.9%
  • HIGHLANDS: 1.3%
  • MALAHAT: 0.9%
  • SONGHEES NATION: 2.8%
  • ESQUIMALT NATION: 0.3%

An increase of 3% compared to 2024 (25,515 calls for service).


Page 18–63

Integrated Units

West Shore RCMP supports a number of integrated units through secondment of detachment personnel (full time or rotational) and through financial contributions toward their budgets.

Integrated units summary graphic
Integrated units summary graphic
Unit Resource / Secondments Financial Contribution
Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) 2 Full Time Officers $230,700 / $115,350
Forensic Identification Services (FIS) (Secondment) $115,350 + Further Financial Contributions
Regional Domestic Violence Unit (RDVU) 1 Full Time Officer Further Financial Contributions
Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (IMCRT) (Support) $80,766 (Financial Contributions)
Mobile Youth Services Team (MYST) (Support) $38,984 (Financial Contributions)

West Shore RCMP also works with and receives support from other provincial units and RCMP sections including: BC Highway Patrol (BCHP), RCMP Air Services, RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU), Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Vancouver Island Underwater Recovery Team (URT), RCMP Special I and Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) teams, and E Division Communications.

Several West Shore RCMP officers have advanced training and are part of specialized BC RCMP response teams (Vancouver Island RCMP Tactical Team (VITT), Vancouver Island Crisis Negotiator Team (CNT), Community-Industry Response Group (CIRG), Underwater Recovery Team (URT)). Note: Some teams exited on December 31, 2025.

Frontline officers have access to two Criminal Drug Interdiction Dogs upon request (Province-funded). West Shore RCMP also has three dedicated Police Service Dog Teams providing frontline support (separate from Criminal Drug Interdiction Teams).

Photo or icon for VIIMCU
Photo or icon for VIIMCU
FIS / forensic services image
FIS / forensic services image

Page 18–63

Annual Policing Priorities (APP)

Each year, West Shore RCMP’s Senior Management Team works closely with the five municipal communities, Songhees Nation, and Esquimalt Nation to identify local policing priorities. The APP follows the fiscal year rather than the calendar year.

Annual Policing Priorities heading graphic
Annual Policing Priorities heading graphic
APP consultation photo
APP consultation photo
  • 2024 Priorities (April 1 2024 - March 31 2025):

    • Reducing Property Crime
    • Deterring Youth Crime
    • Enhancing Road Safety
    • Enhancing Relationships with Indigenous Communities & Reconciliation
    • Mental Health and Crisis Response Teams
  • 2025 Priorities (April 1 2025 - March 31 2026):

    • Reducing Property Crime
    • Reducing Organized Crime & Drug Trafficking
    • Mental Health & Crisis Response Teams
    • Enhancing Road Safety
    • Deterring Youth Crime

Page 18–63

Calls for Service

Calls for service trend chart
Calls for service trend chart

Calls for Service by Area — 2024 compared to 2025

Graph data (as presented):

  • COLWOOD: 5181 / 5245 (two comparative bars)
  • ESQUIMALT NATION: 68 / 66
  • HIGHLANDS: 300 / 349
  • LANGFORD: 14408 / 15138
  • MALAHAT: 249 / 236
  • METCHOSIN: 996 / 1028
  • SONGHEES NATION: 811 / 725
  • VIEW ROYAL: 3354 / 3323

Top 5 Initial Call Types (2025)

  1. Traffic — 3,180
  2. Check Well Being — 1,892
  3. Assist Police / Fire / Ambulance — 1,640
  4. Assist General Public — 1,284
  5. Property — 1,099

Top 5 Criminal Offences (2025)

  1. Shoplifting Under $5,000 — 649
  2. Assault - Common — 522
  3. Mischief Under $5,000 — 426
  4. Cause a Disturbance — 400
  5. Theft - Other Under $5,000 — 350

Offence Type Breakdown (2024 compared to 2025 — counts as presented):

  • PERSONS OFFENCES: 1,415 (2025) vs 1,346 (2024)
  • PROPERTY OFFENCES: 2,924 (2025) vs 2,657 (2024)
  • OTHER CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCES: 1,470 (2025) vs 1,420 (2024)
  • CONTROLLED DRUG AND SUBSTANCES ACT: 122 (2025) vs 105 (2024)
  • CRIMINAL CODE TRAFFIC OFFENCES: 332 (2025) vs 342 (2024)
  • PROVINCIAL STATUTES: 685 (2025) vs 663 (2024)
  • FEDERAL STATUTES: 45 (2025) vs 16 (2024)

Page 18–63

FRONTLINE POLICING

Frontline officers on patrol
Frontline officers on patrol

Frontline police officers respond to the majority of calls for service at West Shore RCMP and provide continuous, 24-hour policing to the communities. Currently, 56 Frontline officers are assigned across four watches to ensure consistent coverage and effective response.

Ongoing training is a cornerstone of Frontline operations, including biannual Immediate Action Rapid Deployment (IARD) and Initial Critical Incident Response (ICIR) programs, scenario-based training, de-escalation techniques, and bias-free policing.

West Shore RCMP maintains a dedicated Front Desk Constable and municipal front desk staff. In 2025, on average, 45 members of the public access services via the front counter daily; a total of 11,275 members of the public accessed the West Shore RCMP front counter.

Front desk / community engagement photo
Front desk / community engagement photo
Training scenario photo
Training scenario photo
Patrol vehicle image
Patrol vehicle image
Frontline officers interacting with public
Frontline officers interacting with public
Community assistance visual
Community assistance visual
Frontline team photo
Frontline team photo

General Duty — Priority Calls

Priority Level Amount in 2025 Description
1 1,991 PRIORITY 1 - Very Urgent - Immediate Dispatch — A major incident or incident in progress that requires immediate police presence, assistance or service. Involves the report of a loss of life or a need for police to prevent a loss of life.
2 4,651 PRIORITY 2 - Urgent - Dispatch as soon as possible — There is an urgent need for the police presence, assistance or service. While there is no loss of life involved, the potential for escalation of violence exists.
3 12,616 PRIORITY 3 - Routine - Dispatch as soon as reasonably possible — Reports that do not require immediate police presence, assistance or service.
4 6,701 PRIORITY 4 - No Immediate Action — Occurrences that do not require police attendance but may require further action.
Priority call level pie or bar chart
Priority call level pie or bar chart
Priority call breakdown graphic
Priority call breakdown graphic

2025 Priority Call Type Breakdown by Municipality (legend: Priority 1 Red; Priority 2 Yellow; Priority 3 Green; Priority 4 Blue) — Esquimalt & Songhees Nations included in View Royal.

(Graphic counts shown in image)

In 2025, West Shore RCMP spent 249,267.62 Minutes on scene at priority 1 calls — WHICH EQUALS 173 Days.


Page 18–63

BODY WORN CAMERAS

Body-worn camera usage graphic
Body-worn camera usage graphic
Officer activating body-worn camera
Officer activating body-worn camera
Data management / footage workflow image
Data management / footage workflow image

Officers will activate their body-worn cameras before they arrive on scene of calls for service, including Crimes in Progress, Investigations, Mental Health Calls, Interactions with People in Crisis, Public Disorder and Protests. Body-worn cameras are also intended to record information to support the performance of officers' duties.

Notes on administration:

  • Body-worn camera footage requires download, review, context reporting, transcription, and redaction when related to charges. Managing body-worn camera video can add approximately an hour to an investigation, with significantly more time for complex or multi-scene files.
  • Body-worn cameras are not intended for 24-hour recording or general surveillance, nor to be used when intimate searches are conducted.
  • In 2025, West Shore RCMP introduced Body Worn Cameras for Frontline officers.
  • In 2025, 88 Frontline officers were trained in the use of body worn cameras and began wearing them operationally. Training for the remaining officers is ongoing.

Page 18–63

FRONTLINE SUPPORT UNITS

Investigative Support Team action photo
Investigative Support Team action photo

Investigative Support Team (IST)

  • The IST consists of:

    • 1 Corporal
    • 4 Constables
  • Role: Provides additional support to frontline officers when investigations become more complex or time-sensitive, allowing frontline officers to remain available for calls. IST members are trained to conduct interviews (including with children) and to prepare judicial authorizations such as search warrants when required.

IST team image
IST team image
IST conducting interview
IST conducting interview
IST warrant execution photo
IST warrant execution photo

Bike Unit

  • The West Shore RCMP Bike Unit consists of:

    • 1 Corporal
    • 4 Constables
  • Bike Unit highlights:

    • Patrolling neighborhoods year-round, accessing areas difficult by vehicle (trails, parks, pedestrian areas).
    • Executed 57 warrants on individuals wanted for service in the community.
    • Conducted 400 business checks with local retailers.
    • Partnered with Project 529 for bicycle registration; West Shore RCMP recovered 9 stolen bikes through Project 529 in 2025.
Bike Unit on patrol
Bike Unit on patrol
Bike Unit business check photo
Bike Unit business check photo

Page 18–63

TRAFFIC UNIT

Traffic Unit officers photo
Traffic Unit officers photo
Traffic enforcement vehicle image
Traffic enforcement vehicle image
Traffic safety educational event photo
Traffic safety educational event photo
  • The West Shore RCMP Traffic Unit consists of:

    • 1 Corporal
    • 4 Constables
  • Mandate: Investigate motor vehicle collisions, enforce the Motor Vehicle Act, and enhance pedestrian and motorist safety through targeted education and enforcement initiatives.

  • In 2025, West Shore RCMP wrote 1,821 Traffic Tickets and issued 1,137 Traffic Warnings.

Impaired Drivers — Type of Prohibition / Charge (Amount in 2025)

Type of Prohibition / Charge Amount in 2025
90 Day IRP (Fail & Refuse) 108
7 Day IRP 5
3 Day IRP 17
24 Hour Suspension - Alcohol 22
24 Hour Suspension - Drug 28
Alcohol Impaired Driving - Criminal Code 12
Drug Impaired Driving - Criminal Code 1
Total 193

Notes:

  • An Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) is an immediate driving suspension issued in British Columbia when a driver is found to be over the legal limit of alcohol. It is issued at the roadside and prevents the driver from continuing to drive. The vehicle may also be impounded.
  • Types of IRPs:
    • 3-day IRP – issued for lower “warn” alcohol readings.
    • 7-day IRP – issued for higher “warn” alcohol readings.
    • 90-day IRP – issued for a “fail” alcohol reading or refusal to provide sample of breath.
Traffic ticketing / IRP infographic
Traffic ticketing / IRP infographic
Roadside sobriety checkpoint photo
Roadside sobriety checkpoint photo

Page 18–63

COLLISIONS

Collision scene photo
Collision scene photo
Collision investigation team image
Collision investigation team image

In 2025, West Shore RCMP responded to 1,072 Collisions:

  • 818 collisions involving damage to the vehicle
  • 248 collisions involving injuries to occupants
  • 6 collisions resulting in a fatality
    • In 2025, West Shore RCMP responded to six fatal collisions across the West Shore, compared to zero fatal collisions in 2024.

In 2025, West Shore RCMP spent 100,377 Minutes at collision scenes — WHICH EQUALS 69.71 Days.

Fatal collisions require extensive investigative work, including prolonged road closures, detailed scene examinations, and the involvement of specialized collision reconstructionists.

A 2.4% increase from 2024.

2025 Collisions By Municipality

Municipality Collision - Damage Collision - Injury Collision - Fatal
Colwood 152 41 1
Esquimalt Nation 0 2 0
Highlands 22 7 0
Langford 440 3 116
Malahat 9 1 0
Metchosin 49 28 0
Songhees Nation 12 1 1
View Royal 134 52 1
Total 194 2 (Totals presented in source)

Page 18–63

MENTAL HEALTH UNIT

Co-response team photo
Co-response team photo

Under the Mental Health Act, police may apprehend a person when there are concerns for their safety or the safety of the public. Individuals apprehended under the Act are transported to hospital for medical assessment—adults to Royal Jubilee Hospital and youth to Victoria General Hospital—where they are examined by a physician. These apprehensions are often time-consuming, as officers are required to remain with the individual until a medical decision is made.

The West Shore RCMP Mental Health Unit consists of:

  • 1 Corporal
  • 2 Constables
  • 2 Registered Nurses from Island Health

In 2025:

  • Calls for Service related to Mental Health: 2,022 (an increase of 5% compared to 2024)
  • West Shore RCMP spent 809.71 Hours (WHICH EQUALS 33.7 Days) waiting with apprehended individuals to be assessed at hospital.
  • Apprehensions under the Mental Health Act: 283
    • An average of 2.87 Hours per apprehension
  • West Shore RCMP spent 125,119 Minutes (WHICH EQUALS 86.89 Days) on scene at suicidal persons calls.

Co-responding teams: RCMP officers and Island Health nurses attend calls together, often in people’s homes, using a coordinated, compassionate approach.


Page 18–63

MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

Municipal employees provide essential support allowing frontline and investigative officers to focus on public safety. The detachment is supported by 42 full-time municipal employees and 19 casual employees, delivering services such as front counter assistance, civil fingerprinting, and police record checks.

2025 Municipal Employee Service Metrics:

  • REPORTS CREATED AT THE FRONT DESK: 820
  • CIVIL FINGERPRINTS TAKEN: 799
  • POLICE INFORMATION CHECKS COMPLETED: 1,759
  • DAILY CONTACTS AT FRONT COUNTER ON AVERAGE: 45
  • FRONT COUNTER CONTACTS: 11,275

MINUTES OF STATEMENTS TRANSCRIBED BY MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES: 24,959.58

  • Does not include statements taken by officers but not transcribed
  • WHICH EQUALS 17.3 Days

Page 18–63

INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES

Investigative Services team photo
Investigative Services team photo

Overview

West Shore RCMP Investigative Services handles serious and complex criminal investigations: armed robberies, serious assaults, sexual offences, complex frauds, drug offences, large thefts, suspicious deaths, and missing persons where concerns for foul play exist.

In December 2025, the unit expanded to include a dedicated Economic and Cyber Crime Unit.

Investigative Services consists of:

  • Crime Reduction Unit
  • Drugs and Organized Crime Unit
  • Persons Offences
  • Special Victims Unit (SVU)
  • General Investigation Section (GIS)

In the last 5 years (2021 - 2025), West Shore RCMP has seen a 44% increase in Persons Offences.

In 2025, West Shore RCMP investigated 1,415 Persons Offences — a 5% increase from 2024.

Persons offences 5-year trend chart
Persons offences 5-year trend chart

Persons Offences — Key Figures

  • Total Persons Offences in 2025: 1,415
  • Assaults: 654
  • Violent Firearm Offences: 6
  • Forcible Confinement: 2
  • Robbery: 9

Top 5 Persons Offences in 2025 (All West Shore):

  1. Assault - Common — 522
  2. Uttering Threats — 276
  3. Harassing Communications — 201
  4. Assault w/Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm — 107
  5. Sexual Assault — 377

2025 vs 2024 Persons Offences by Municipality (counts shown in image):

Persons offences by municipality chart
Persons offences by municipality chart
Violent offences chart
Violent offences chart

In 2025, West Shore RCMP made 476 Victim Services Referrals — the second most by any police agency in the CRD.


General Investigation Section (GIS)

General Investigation Section team photo
General Investigation Section team photo

GIS leads large-scale and complex investigations and provides support, service training, and guidance to Frontline officers. Majority workload involves violent crime; GIS also investigates suspicious deaths, serious workplace injuries and fatalities, and reports involving Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material.

Notable 2025 outcomes:

  • Conviction in Colwood shooting: In September 2025, Abjeet Kingra was convicted for role in a targeted shooting and arson in Colwood. The judge noted Kingra was acting on instructions from the Lawrence Bishnoi crime group in India.
  • Shooting investigation (Dec 2025): GIS led an investigation of a targeted shooting in Langford with a male sustaining serious but non-life-threatening injuries; the matter remains under investigation.
  • Youth stranger sexual assault arrest (Sept 2025): A 21-year-old male arrested in relation to a sexual assault against a youth in a View Royal park; arrest made within 24 hours of report.

2025 statistics of serious offences in the West Shore (majority investigated by GIS):

  • Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material: 35
  • Arson: 15
  • Firearm Offences: 6
  • Forcible Confinement: 2
  • Robbery: 9

Special Victims Unit (SVU)

SVU is responsible for investigating sexually based offences with a specialized, trauma-informed approach.

2025 Sexually-Based Offences (All West Shore):

  • Sexual Assault: 78

  • Online Sexual Offences: 57

  • Sexual Interference: 20

  • Indecent Acts / Exposure: 32

  • Sexual Assault w/Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm: 2

  • Other Sexual Offences: 46

  • West Shore RCMP conducted 34.6% of all child interviews held at The Victoria and West Shore Child and Youth Advocacy Centres — the highest amount by any police agency in the region.

  • All child interviews for West Shore RCMP are overseen by SVU. The unit includes three highly trained child interviewers with a collective total of 45 years of child interviewing experience.

  • Beginning in May 2025, SVU expanded its role to provide quality assurance on intimate partner violence (IPV) files — assisting with 41 Frontline IPV investigations. SVU made six referrals to the Regional Domestic Violence Unit, two of which were accepted.

  • SVU provides mentorship and guidance to ensure child interviews are trauma informed, accurate, reliable, and legally defendable.


Page 18–63

PROPERTY OFFENCES

Shoplifting / retail theft image
Shoplifting / retail theft image
Theft from vehicle illustration
Theft from vehicle illustration

In 2025, West Shore RCMP had 2,924 Property Offence files — a 10% increase from 2024.

Property Offence Files in West Shore Over 5 Years (as presented):

  • 2021: 2,403
  • 2022: 2,418
  • 2023: 2,932
  • 2024: 2,657
  • 2025: 2,924

2025 Top 5 Property Offences (All West Shore)

  1. Shoplifting Under $5,000 — 690
  2. Theft - Other Under $5,000 — 357
  3. Mischief Under $5,000 — 466
  4. Fraud Under $5,000 — 251
  5. Theft from Vehicle Under $5,000 — 176

2025 Property Offences in West Shore — File Types Represented

  • Arson to Property
  • Break and Enters (Business, Residential, Other)
  • General Theft
  • Mischief
  • Shoplifting
  • Theft from Vehicles
  • Theft of Bicycles
  • Theft of Vehicles

Page 18–63

CRIME REDUCTION UNIT (CRU)

The Crime Reduction Unit focuses on property crime and repeat offenders. The unit works closely with frontline officers on initiatives such as curfew and house-arrest compliance checks, resulting in breach charges when conditions are violated. CRU partners with local businesses and loss prevention to address shoplifting and related offences, often arresting offenders and recovering stolen property.

CRU recovered an excavator stolen from a construction site on Bear Mountain during a search warrant on a rural Malahat property.

Property Offence By Municipality (as presented in source)

  • Municipality / 2025 Files / 2024 Files / % Change
    • Colwood — 461
    • Esquimalt Nation — 9
    • Highlands — 8
    • Langford — 1,653 (2025) / 1,898 (2024) / +14.82%
    • Malahat — 12 / 9 / -25.00%
    • Metchosin — 84 / 90 / +7.14%
    • Songhees Nation — 60 / 59 / -1.67%
    • View Royal — 359 / 339 / -5.57%

2025 Break & Enters (All West Shore):

  • Business: 94
  • Residence: 74
  • Other*: 47
  • Total: 215

*Other refers to locations such as construction sites, sheds, etc.


Page 18–63

CYBER CRIME & FRAUD

Economic crime unit photo
Economic crime unit photo
Fraud investigation image
Fraud investigation image

In 2025, West Shore RCMP had 556 Cybercrime files — a 10.76% increase from 2024.

Cybercrime investigations continue to grow significantly: between 2021 and 2025 cybercrime files increased by approximately 200% (from 185 in 2021 to 556 in 2025). In 2025, West Shore RCMP also saw 511 fraud-related files. Investigations involve extensive digital evidence collection, financial analysis, and coordination with external partners.

  • West Shore RCMP has seen an increase of 200.5% in Cybercrime files over the past 5 years.
  • In response, the detachment established a dedicated Economic and Cyber Crime Unit; the unit’s Corporal started the role in December 2025 to support early oversight and planning.

Cryptocurrency-related investigations:

  • In 2025, West Shore RCMP investigated 62 files in relation to cryptocurrency.
  • Since October 2023 (when a process for flagging cryptocurrency was implemented), West Shore RCMP has investigated 129 files in relation to cryptocurrency.

Cybercrime files by year:

  • 2021: 185
  • 2022: 290
  • 2023: 465
  • 2024: 502
  • 2025: 556
Cryptocurrency investigation image
Cryptocurrency investigation image
Cyber forensics equipment photo
Cyber forensics equipment photo

Page 18–63

DRUGS AND ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT (DOCU) & OTHER CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCES

Drugs and organized crime imagery
Drugs and organized crime imagery
Seized drugs and cash photo
Seized drugs and cash photo

Drug Offences

  • In 2025, West Shore RCMP had 171 Drug Offence files — a 12.8% decrease from 2024.
  • DOCU responsibilities: target drug trafficking linked to organized crime; deliver Inadmissible Patrons Program (IPP) with local businesses to reduce impacts of organized crime; work with CRU to identify and disrupt priority offenders.

Examples of seizures in 2025:

  • Drugs suspected to be Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, GHB, and more seized along with cash in a February 2025 investigation.
  • 45 grams of suspected Cocaine seized in a March 2025 investigation.

Other Criminal Code Offences

Definition: Not considered violent or property-related crime (e.g., Causing a Disturbance, Breaches, Counterfeiting Currency, etc.)

File totals — Other Criminal Code Offences (over 5 years):

  • 2021: 965
  • 2022: 1,166
  • 2023: 1,547
  • 2024: 1,570
  • 2025: 1,470

Top 5 Other Criminal Code Offences (2025 — All West Shore):

  1. Cause a Disturbance — 425
  2. Breach of Bail Violations — 205
  3. Breach of Probation — 98
  4. Weapons Possession — 55
  5. Indecent Acts / Exposing — 32

Page 18–63

INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES DISCLOSURE & ENHANCED DIGITAL FORENSIC TRIAGE

Disclosure process graphic
Disclosure process graphic
Digital forensic triage workstation photo
Digital forensic triage workstation photo
EDFT examplar evidence image
EDFT examplar evidence image

Investigative Services Disclosure

  • In 2025, Investigative Services completed 17 first disclosures.
  • Disclosure is an essential requirement of the criminal justice system in Canada. Police are obliged to disclose the full investigation to Crown Counsel (under memorandum of understanding), a process that is administratively time consuming.
  • On average, a first disclosure takes about 70 hours.
  • Overall, approximately 1,191 hours were spent on completed first disclosures — equalling 153 work days.
    • These statistics exclude files still under investigation for which Disclosure Clerks are actively completing ongoing disclosure-related work.

Enhanced Digital Forensic Triage (EDFT)

  • The West Shore RCMP’s EDFT capability provides timely digital evidence preservation and acquisition to quickly identify investigative leads, streamlining investigative workflows.
  • The detachment has one full-time, dedicated EDFT specialist.

2025 Enhanced Digital Forensic Triage Files by Municipality (counts as presented):

  • Langford — 29
  • Colwood — 8
  • View Royal — 5
  • Metchosin — 4
  • No files from Highlands (as presented)

2025 Enhanced Digital Forensic Triage Exhibit Types:

  • Computer — 51%
  • Apple Phone — 29%
  • Android Phone — 20%
  • Exhibits counts: Computer 81 / Apple Phone 45 / Android Phone 31
EDFT exhibit breakdown pie chart
EDFT exhibit breakdown pie chart

Page 18–63

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CIPU team photo
CIPU team photo

Community & Indigenous Policing Unit (CIPU)

The West Shore RCMP Community & Indigenous Policing Unit consists of:

  • 1 Corporal
  • 5 Constables

CIPU focuses on community outreach, relationship building, and crime prevention. One constable serves as a dedicated Indigenous Police Officer working with the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation.

In 2025:

  • CIPU attended 229 Community or School Events.
  • A second dedicated Indigenous Police Officer will join the unit in March 2026; the officer was selected in 2025 through a joint consultation process involving the unit Corporal and representatives from both Nations.

School Liaison Officers

  • School Liaison Officers maintain active connections with more than 30 schools across the West Shore (elementary, middle, secondary, private, and post-secondary).
  • In 2025, officers completed 446 school attendances and conducted proactive patrols during lunch hours and after school.
  • By building consistent, positive relationships, officers help ensure youth feel safe and supported when coming forward to police.

Notable school engagement:

  • Cst. Webb speaks to elementary school students about safety tips for being home alone.
  • CIPU and Bike Unit officers play lunchtime hockey with Spencer Middle School students.
  • CIPU hosted a ‘career day’ for 50 Grade 9 students.
  • CIPU welcomed Grade 5 students from Craigflower Elementary celebrating their Elementary School Graduation with a paddle on Tl’Ches Spirit in the Gorge Waterway.
  • CIPU officers and West Shore students at 2025 Police Camp.

West Shore Youth Outreach Team

  • School Liaison Officers are part of the West Shore Youth Outreach Team, working with a youth counsellor from the Pacific Centre Family Services Association (established 2021).
  • The team provides coordinated, proactive, and referral-based support to at-risk youth, focusing on mentoring and prevention. The program prioritizes confidentiality between the youth counsellor and youth receiving services.
  • During summer months, CIPU engaged youth and families through outreach across parks in the West Shore (July and August), maintaining positive, non-enforcement interactions.

Page 18–63

WEST SHORE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Restorative Justice program image
Restorative Justice program image

West Shore Restorative Justice is a volunteer-facilitated program with the mandate to facilitate Community Justice Forums where the accused take ownership of actions and agree to reparations, diverting offenders away from criminal courts.

In 2025:

  • West Shore RCMP referred 61 files to Restorative Justice.
    • 39 offenders were adults & 22 were youth.
  • $3,365 in restitution was paid back to the victims.
  • 305 hours of volunteer work were completed.
  • The most common Restorative Justice offence was Shoplifting Under $5,000.

Page 18–63

CHARITABLE EFFORTS

  • West Shore RCMP officers and municipal staff participated in the annual Polar Plunge at Cadboro-Gyro Park in support of Special Olympics BC, raising more than $4,000 through individual and detachment-led initiatives.
  • The detachment annually hosts a fundraising gala in support of Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, raising $80,200 in 2025 to support pediatric cancer research and programs such as Camp Goodtimes.
  • The detachment’s Tour de Rock rider, Nurse Shea of the Mental Health Unit and a cancer survivor, raised an additional $25,000.
  • In spring, West Shore RCMP hosted a community barn dance fundraiser at the local legion, raising more than $7,000 with community partner support.
  • During the holiday season, CIPU led a Reverse Advent Calendar initiative, assembling 25 fully stocked Christmas hampers delivered to individuals and families engaged with officers throughout the year.

Page 18–63

MEDIA UNIT

Media Unit team photo
Media Unit team photo
West Shore Watch thumbnail image
West Shore Watch thumbnail image

The West Shore RCMP Media Unit informs and educates the public about policing activities and community safety. In 2025, the Media Unit launched "West Shore Watch," a behind-the-scenes video series that places the public alongside officers on shift and in patrol vehicles.

Social media and engagement metrics (2025):

  • West Shore RCMP gained 3,331 followers on Facebook (a 369% increase from 2024).
  • West Shore RCMP had 315,614 engagements in 2025 on Facebook.
  • West Shore RCMP had over 474,000 impressions in 2025 on X.
  • West Shore RCMP had 3,901,148 views in 2025 on Facebook.
  • 77% of Facebook followers were gained from Reels.

Page 18–63

STATS & FACTS — SOURCES & METHODOLOGY

The West Shore RCMP Annual Report provides an overview of various statistics and policing in West Shore and is not comprehensive. The statistics presented in this report were retrieved from RCMP E Division Business Intelligence and the British Columbia Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME) and are accurate on the retrieval date. All data is preliminary and is subject to change based on investigational factors and data quality processes. In cases of discrepancy with previous/subsequent data, the most current data will take precedence.

  • Data collection utilized “most serious offence” scoring consistent with Statistics Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Justice (Police Services Division) data collection practices.
  • Police Services Division provides population data.
  • Collision data is not complete as it only includes files where police attended and not all collisions reported to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).
Data sources visual
Data sources visual
PRIME system screenshot
PRIME system screenshot
Statistics Canada reference image
Statistics Canada reference image

Annual Report closing graphics
Annual Report closing graphics
Page 18–63

Document Images

(62)
Document image
Document image
Document image
Document image
West Shore RCMP 2025 cover image

West Shore RCMP 2025 cover image

West Shore RCMP Annual Report title art

West Shore RCMP Annual Report title art

Calls for service total graphic

Calls for service total graphic

Photo or portrait associated with the Officer in Charge message

Photo or portrait associated with the Officer in Charge message

Rendering or site diagram related to proposed detachment build

Rendering or site diagram related to proposed detachment build

Pie chart or graphic of paid resources by municipality

Pie chart or graphic of paid resources by municipality

Demographic and calls bar chart

Demographic and calls bar chart

Photo or icon for VIIMCU

Photo or icon for VIIMCU

FIS / forensic services image

FIS / forensic services image

Priorities infographic

Priorities infographic

Calls for service trend chart

Calls for service trend chart

Top call types visual

Top call types visual

Offence type breakdown chart

Offence type breakdown chart

Document image
Document image
Document image
Front desk / community engagement photo

Front desk / community engagement photo

Frontline team photo

Frontline team photo

Priority call breakdown graphic

Priority call breakdown graphic

Priority call municipal breakdown visualization

Priority call municipal breakdown visualization

Priority response photo

Priority response photo

IST team image

IST team image

Bike Unit business check photo

Bike Unit business check photo

Bike Unit community outreach image

Bike Unit community outreach image

Traffic ticketing / IRP infographic

Traffic ticketing / IRP infographic

Collision scene reconstruction image

Collision scene reconstruction image

Collision scene photo

Collision scene photo

Collision investigation team image

Collision investigation team image

Collisions by municipality map

Collisions by municipality map

Collision distribution chart

Collision distribution chart

Fatal collision response team photo

Fatal collision response team photo

Co-response team photo

Co-response team photo

Municipal employees at front counter

Municipal employees at front counter

Municipal staff assisting public photo

Municipal staff assisting public photo

Investigative Services team photo

Investigative Services team photo

Persons offences by municipality chart

Persons offences by municipality chart

General Investigation Section team photo

General Investigation Section team photo

Special Victims Unit team photo

Special Victims Unit team photo

Theft from vehicle illustration

Theft from vehicle illustration

Property offences trend chart

Property offences trend chart

Break & enter / property damage imagery

Break & enter / property damage imagery

Theft of bicycles image

Theft of bicycles image

Disclosure process graphic

Disclosure process graphic

Youth outreach in parks photo

Youth outreach in parks photo

Summer outreach event photo

Summer outreach event photo

Restorative Justice program image

Restorative Justice program image

Restorative Justice volunteer group photo

Restorative Justice volunteer group photo

Polar Plunge event photo

Polar Plunge event photo

Tour de Rock gala photo

Tour de Rock gala photo

Reverse Advent Calendar hamper photo

Reverse Advent Calendar hamper photo

West Shore Watch thumbnail image

West Shore Watch thumbnail image

Social media metrics graphic

Social media metrics graphic

West Shore Watch video still

West Shore Watch video still

Social media analytics dashboard photo

Social media analytics dashboard photo

Statistics Canada reference image

Statistics Canada reference image

Annual Report closing graphics

Annual Report closing graphics

Detachment group photo

Detachment group photo

Back cover art

Back cover art

Extracted from: Agenda(205 pages total)