Meet Sergeant Dal Deol as he prepares for a grueling bike ride to fight childhood cancer

This September, Metro Vancouver Transit Police Sergeant Dal Deol will join other local first responders for the 8-day, 800 km Cops for Cancer: Tour de Coast bike ride that raises money for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society. 

This ride is incredibly important to Dal, who has been deeply affected by cancer in recent years. Several of Dal’s policing colleagues have suffered devastating losses due to cancer, and his young nephew was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.

“In talking to those whose lives have been touched by cancer, I’ve heard nothing but good things about how well they have been treated by our health care professionals,” says Dal. “My nephew’s parents have asked that we help pay it forward. For me, participating in the policing community’s Cops for Cancer was a way to do that. It’s a way that I can help raise funds that help pay forward the feeling of support to other kids and families in need, as well contribute to further research.”

The Cops for Cancer: Tour de Coast will take place September 15 to 22, 2023. All money raised will go toward supporting local families affected by childhood cancer. Funds are directed to life-saving paediatric research and caring support programs like Camp Goodtimes. Dal is hoping to shatter his ambitious goal of raising $35,000.

VISIT SERGEANT DAL DEOL’S FUNDRAISING PAGE

Top 5 safety tips for Back to School

As a new school year begins, transit will soon be bustling with students, many of whom are navigating the system for the first time. If you’re new to using transit by yourself – or you have a child who is – it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. We hope our Top 5 safety tips will help you feel more confident during your journey.

  1. Plan your trip before you go. Use Trip Planner and sign up for Transit Alerts.
  2. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid poorly lit or isolated areas.
  3. If someone is making you feel unsafe, move away from the area. Alert transit staff or text Transit Police.
  4. If possible, sit in an aisle seat to avoid feeling trapped if someone who makes you uncomfortable sits beside you. (If someone then wants to sit in the window seat, be sure to move aside to let them in)
  5. Save our contact numbers in your mobile phone before you need them: 604.515.8300 for calls, and 87.77.77 for texts. Let us know if you don’t feel safe. Call 911 in any emergency.

If you happen to be passing through Bridgeport Station on Tuesday, September 5 between 10:00 am and 1:00pm, please stop to say hello. Transit Police officers and volunteers will be there to share safety information and answer any questions you may have.

To learn more, read our full list of safety tips, or watch the video

*Updated* Transit Police Office Clerk is on her way to Berlin for the Special Olympics World Summer Games

*Please scroll to bottom to read the update

For the third time, Metro Vancouver Transit Police Office Clerk Amanda Manzardo will travel to the Special Olympics World Games to represent Canada. In 2007, she was part of the soccer team that won gold in Shanghai. Then, in 2015 she won a bronze in both the 5k and 10k events, as well as a silver in the 4x100m relay. This year, Amanda is once again headed to the Games, which take place in Berlin from June 17 to 25. She will be a member of the 2023 Women’s Soccer Team.

Amanda is looking forward to doing her best to bring gold home again this year. But what she really wants to do is to score a goal that she can dedicate to her grandmother.

“I want to score a goal, and I want to dedicate it to my grandma,” says Amanda. “And my grandpa too, but mainly my grandma because her heritage is German. But just getting to go to Germany and seeing the country means the world to me.”

Amanda has been a Special Olympics athlete for 20 years, and has spent many of those years participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), an annual event that raises funds for Special Olympics. It’s through the LETR that Amanda made connections with police officers and built the foundation that would have her join Transit Police as part of the Facilities team in 2017.

We’re wishing Amanda, and all of the Team Canada athletes, the best of luck next month!

The Games will be broadcast live, on platforms including YouTube, Facebook and ESPN. Read more about the Special Olympics World Games here: https://www.berlin2023.org/en

*Update: 26 June 2023

We are proud to share that on Friday, June 23, 2023, the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team won a BRONZE MEDAL! Congratulations to Amanda, and all of her teammates!

Transit Police Staff Sergeant Michelle Hansen recognized with BCWLE Award

On April 13, 2023, Metro Vancouver Transit Police Staff Sergeant Michelle Hansen accepted the 2023 British Columbia Women in Law Enforcement (BCWLE) Leadership Award.

In a room filled with women who represented the pinnacle of policing, S/Sgt Hansen was recognized for her unwavering commitment to the community she serves, and the strength of leadership that she provides.

Being able to help people has always been the goal for S/Sgt. Hansen, and the reason she got into policing. In a career spanning 27 years, of which 22 were served with the RCMP before joining Transit Police, S/Sgt Hansen has worked in a number of areas, including Patrol, Olympics Security, high-profile international events, Major Crime, and the Lower Mainland Integrated Tactical Troop. Today, she helps to oversee Operations, working closely with TransLink’s operating companies to address safety on transit.

Since joining Transit Police in 2018, S/Sgt Hansen has stood out for the level of compassion and care that she brings to her work. This is obvious to everyone she interacts with, including the squad that reported to her during her time as Patrol Sergeant.

When a patrol officer lost his 13-year-old son, Justice, to illness, S/Sgt. Hansen was there to help offer support and guidance. She then sought to turn the tragedy into a way to help other children. Working closely with the officer, his family and the department, she created a plush dog named K9 Hero “Justice”, designed to be given by police officers to children who experience a traumatic situation on transit. K9 Hero Justice pays tribute to the bravery, courage, and strength of the child he’s named after, while providing comfort to those in need.

“I’m so humbled and honoured by this nomination and award. I credit the incredible team at MVTP that I am so grateful to work alongside.” – S/Sgt. Michelle Hansen

“I was immensely proud to watch Michelle receive the BCWLE Leadership award. Michelle epitomizes what a true leader is. Her caring and compassionate nature combined with her strength of character naturally draws people toward her. She is both an exceptional officer and mentor and I am so proud to have her as part of the Transit Police family.” – Transit Police Deputy Chief Anita Furlan

Watch the 2020 International Women’s Day video feature below to learn more about S/Sgt. Michelle Hansen

Transit Police dispatcher proud of being the calm voice during chaos

When there is a safety concern or a crime takes place on or around the transit system, the operators in the Transit Police Operations Communications Centre (OCC) receive those reports. Kristin Ory, one of these operators, received one such call regarding a person having a mental health crisis on the system, with the potential of self-harm.

Kristin dispatched a number of Transit Police officers and worked with policing partners who together negotiated with the person in crisis, successfully got them to safety and into the care they needed.

“The call took around six hours… It was an emotionally draining event but an example of how the teamwork of the call takers and police officers came together to ensure a successful outcome,” she said.

“I think one of the most interesting parts of our job in the OCC [often called “dispatch” by the public] is that each of us wears so many different hats while on duty. When you text or call in, depending on the nature of your report, the call taker will be asking you questions that all hold the goal of ensuring safety first.

“That same call taker may be calling for EHS or Fire, may be calling SkyTrain Control to hold trains, answering police officers as they come over the radio needing information on a file they are responding to, and listening to SkyTrain Attendant radios to get updates.

“The dispatcher is listening to all the work their team is doing and to neighbouring police agencies so that the officers responding to a call have the needed information to ensure public safety and the support and resources they need to do their job safely.

“We balance all this work by prioritizing the calls as they come in. It is a busy hub that keeps us on our toes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Kristin.

With the Transit Police OCC staffed 24/7, operators work ten-and-a-half-hour shifts and rotate from answering phones and texts, to dispatching officers, to calls for service. They also track all of the on-duty police officers’ locations at all times to make sure they are safe and the operators know who’s available to respond when there’s an incident. They also look up information in several different databases to help officers do their jobs. For example, they can let officers know if the person in their custody has any warrants. And they help coordinate responses to incidents with TransLink and external agencies.

“The best part of my role is that I get to talk to people. I love people, and being the voice they hear, who can help ease their worries when they are unsure of a situation involving a crime. I have learned how to be that “voice in the dark” for when others need help, and how to strategize as a dispatcher to ensure the safety of the members on the road and the public,” says Kristin. “It’s a gift to be in the seat we are in, one we earn through our training and hard work.”

It’s Emergency Services Dispatchers and 91-1 Awareness Week from April 9 to 15. If you find yourself contacting Transit Police, be sure to let the dispatcher who answers your call or text know how much you appreciate what they do to keep transit running.

Anyone who feels unsafe on transit, is worried about the safety of someone else, or sees anything suspicious can contact the OCC directly by phone at 604.515.8300 or by texting 87.77.77. Always call 911 in an emergency.

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Transit Police invites you to take part in the 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Join us for the 8th annual Metro Vancouver Transit Police Charity Golf Tournament in support of Special Olympics BC athletes. On Monday, June 5, enjoy a day of golf, while helping to create a world of inclusion where every person is accepted regardless of ability.

Your $150 registration fee includes a sponsored Southern-style bbq lunch from Porkmafia.ca, green fee, shared power cart, and live scoring. The event will feature a banquet dinner, silent auction, 50-50 raffle, and prizes.

To find out more about Special Olympics visit  www.specialolympics.bc.ca

To register, please send your completed REGISTRATION FORM to Jaemie.Valenzuela@transitpolice.bc.ca

Top 5 safety tips for students

As the school year begins next week, many students will be taking transit to school. If you’re heading off to school on transit by yourself for the first time– or you have a child who is – it can be a bit overwhelming. We hope these safety tips help you feel more confident in your journey.

  1. Know how to call for help – save our contact numbers in your mobile phone: 604.515.8300 for calls, and 87.77.77 for texts. Learn about security features on the transit system. Look for transit staff during your journey. Transit Police, SkyTrain Attendants and Canada Line Attendants are often found near ticket machines or on platforms.
  2. Be confident about where you’re going – plan your route. Leave early so you’re not rushed. Have another route ready as a backup in case there’s a delay on your primary route. Sign up for Transit Alerts.
  3. Keep your personal belongings safe – take your backpack off and put it at your feet. Keep any valuables securely hidden in your bag. Be careful with your phone and other devices, especially when standing near transit vehicle doors.
  4. Be aware of your surroundings – stay in well-lit areas. Keep one earbud out of your ear so you can hear what’s going on. If you see someone acting in a way that makes you uncomfortable, quietly move away – go to another part of the platform, sit closer to the bus driver, switch SkyTrain cars at the next station, etc. Share your concern with transit staff.
  5. Report problems – whether someone has touched you inappropriately, you see another person being harassed, you’re worried about the well-being of someone slumped over in a seat, or there’s something else causing you concern, please let us know. Text 87.77.77 and someone will respond right away.

Transit is a great way to get to school and back. We hope you enjoy your trip.

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Why aren’t Transit Police officers located at every transit hub?

At Transit Police, we often get asked why we can’t have officers posted at every SkyTrain station, or why Transit Police officers don’t regularly ride all major bus routes. The answer is that this is not realistic as our officers respond to calls for service across all modes of transit spread across over 1800 km2, from Bowen Island to White Rock to the West Coast Express station in Mission. This includes SkyTrain (55 Stations), West Coast Express (8 Stations), SeaBus (2 Terminals) and buses (200+ bus routes plus bus stops/exchanges). Some simple arithmetic can help provide context.

We have an authorized/budgeted strength of 183 sworn police officers.

From those 183, some placements are taken up by:

  1. Vacancies – not all of our positions are filled and we are currently hiring. If you’d like to join us, you can learn more here
  2. Leadership team – a number of officers are on our senior leadership team. This includes the Transit Police Chief Officer, two Deputy Chiefs and several Inspectors.
  3. Specialty units – these are officers who are assigned to areas such as recruitment, professional standards or investigations.

Of the officers that remain:

  1. Divide them into four patrol squads.
  2. Subtract officers who are sick, in training or on leave.

Of the officers on patrol duty:

  1. Following their response to a police incident, officers will be busy completing the necessary paperwork or conducting investigative follow-up.
  2. If a mental health apprehension has taken place, officers will need to remain at the hospital until people in their custody are assessed by doctors.
  3. Other officers will be working on special projects based on reports we receive from the public and identified trends in crime and disorder.

So, how do we ensure such a large transit network stays safe?

Transit Police officers are deployed strategically, based on where crime statistics and intelligence reports tell us they are most needed. We work closely with our municipal policing partners to provide seamless policing across the region, with a focus on our four operational priorities:

Recently, we have also been giving attention to the ongoing opioid crisis and Lower Mainland gang conflict.

If you need Transit Police during your transit journey, please let us know. We can be reached 24/7 by phone at 604.515.8300 or by text at 87.77.77 (always call 911 in an emergency).

Transit Police invites you to take part in the 7th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Join us for the 7th annual Metro Vancouver Transit Police Charity Golf Tournament in support of Special Olympics BC athletes. On Monday, May 30, enjoy a day of golf, while helping to create a world of inclusion where every person is accepted regardless of ability.

Your $125 registration fee includes a sponsored Southern-style bbq lunch from Porkmafia.ca, green fee, shared power cart, and live scoring. The event will feature a silent auction, 50-50 raffle, and prizes.

To find out more about Special Olympics visit  www.specialolympics.bc.ca

To register, please send your completed REGISTRATION FORM to Jaemie.Valenzuela@transitpolice.bc.ca

Blue Eagle Community Cadets program expands to Surrey

Metro Vancouver Transit Police is pleased to announce that the successful Blue Eagle Community Cadets program, launched in 2021 in partnership with Vancouver Police Department’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section and the Aboriginal Policing Centre, will expand to Surrey.

The program, free for youth ages 12-15, focuses on Indigenous culture while building leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment. Currently operating out of Britannia Community Centre in Vancouver, the program has offered unique experiences to the young participants with the help of community partners, including a tour of Vancouver by airplane, camping and survival skills, attending local sporting events and participation in many activities that celebrate Indigenous culture.

In partnership with the Surrey RCMP, Surrey Schools, Options Community Services, and Surrey Crime Prevention, we are now proud to announce that the program will launch in Surrey at A. H. P. Matthew Elementary School on Thursday nights, starting with an Open House on January 27, 2022, 5:00-7:00pm. Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BLUE EAGLE COMMUNITY CADETS