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Transit Police Staff Sergeant Michelle Hansen recognized with BCWLE Award

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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

Top 5 transit safety tips for students

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As the school year begins next week with closer-to-normal in-person learning, many students will need to take 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 – especially, during a pandemic, 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.

If you’re able to, wear your face mask at all times while onboard transit vehicles. Consider leaving your mask on while you’re waiting at bus stops, or while moving through transit stations. If someone who is not wearing a mask makes you uncomfortable, try your best to keep physical distance from them. Remember that some people have a legitimate need for an exemption from the mandatory mask policy. Read more about the policy here.

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

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Introducing Cst. Olson – Our Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast rider

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Cst Eric Olson

Constable Eric Olson will be riding 800 km on his road bike along the Sea to Sky corridor and through other cities in Greater Vancouver this September as a participant in the Tour de Coast to support Cops for Cancer and raise funds for cancer research, especially pediatric cancer. We interviewed Cst. Olson to learn more about him.

What did you do before joining Metro Vancouver Transit Police?
I attended UBC in Vancouver to study Science and Kinesiology while playing Rugby for the Thunderbirds for three of my four years there. I worked several different full and part-time jobs through high school and university, including roofing, throwing hay bales, landscaping, automotive repair, and catering, before turning my eye to Policing in 2015. In the years before I started with Transit Police, I was working Security at a busy shopping centre in Surrey and for the BC Corrections Service at the Youth Custody Center in Burnaby.

What made you submit an application for the Tour de Coast?
I was inspired by Cops for Cancer all through my school years growing up. We would regularly hold fundraising events for the tour and cheer on the riders as they rode through the hallways. Cancer has touched several people close to me, and childhood cancer is the worst of all.

Also, I have trained and played sports my whole life, however have never formally “cycled” on a road bike. I loved the idea of taking on a new physical challenge and raising money for a great cause.

What are you looking forward to the most in your Cops for Cancer journey?
I’m looking forward to all the money we will raise that will support children and their families who are battling cancer, as well as funding crucial cancer research. With my science background, I found the presentation on the research they are currently conducting to be fascinating and exciting.
If you are willing/able to make a donation for this very worthwhile cause, please follow the link to my personal donation page.

What is the best part of working for Metro Vancouver Transit Police?
The best part of working for Transit Police are the people. I have a great partner and a great squad in D-East. Not everyone gets paid to hang out with their friends and arrest bad people, and I get to do both!

What is a career highlight so far?
A career highlight for me was completing the British Columbia Tactical Officer Course (ERT Basic) put on by the Abbotsford Police Department in January 2019! It was a ton of fun and I learned so much!

If you didn’t work in law enforcement, what career would you choose?
I’d like to think that I could have become a medic or pilot with the Canadian Forces, but I guess we’ll never know. I could also see myself having been a mechanic or a logger. I love working with my hands, being outdoors, and running chain saws.

How do you like to spend your time on your days off?
I love spending time riding my motorcycle, going hiking and camping, going to the gym, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Recommend one of each: book, movie, TV show.
Book – On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
Movie – 21 Jump Street
TV Show – Forged in Fire

What’s an important topic that doesn’t get as much media attention as the mainstream ones like fentanyl or homelessness?

Organ donation. You can follow this link to register as an organ donor and also to check your status if you think you have already registered.

Video: Trolley bus wire thieves put lives at risk. Learn how to keep yourself safe

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When trolley bus wires get stolen, lives are put at risk. When thieves steal the wires that are used to keep Vancouver’s fleet of trolley buses moving, they can leave dangerous live wires dangling.

If you live or work in Vancouver, particularly in one of the “hot spots” shown in the video, help be our eyes and ears.

If you see any wires dangling:

  • Do not touch the downed wire
  • Stay at least 10 meters away and call 911.
  • Report suspicious activity to police
  • Don’t approach any suspicious people yourself.
  • Call the Transit Police tip line with information: 604.516.7419 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8474.

Together we can keep our communities safe.