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Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Victoria, B.C. – VicPD has officially launched a new program to help recruits better understand the diverse communities they will be policing, and to prepare them for success before they attend formal police training at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).
VicPD Before the Badge is a week-long program designed to better connect the residents of Victoria and Esquimalt with their police department, through an opportunity to take a hand in training recruits before they even put on a uniform. The week comprises a series of experiential, community-built sessions focused on increasing understanding of culture and history, with a focus on police interactions.
“We are taking community policing to a new level by giving our diverse cultural and interest groups an opportunity to take a personal hand in training our newest officers before they even put on a uniform. Before the Badge will help build trust, effective communications, and respect between police and people from diverse communities, especially those from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups,” says Chief Del Manak. “This program creates a foundation of understanding that will last through the rest of their careers. It is more than training; it is about building real relationships with the communities we serve.”
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Religious, cultural and special interest groups in Victoria and Esquimalt were identified and approached to create a presentation and experience to help pre-recruits better understand their culture, their history with policing, and how to avoid doing harm when interacting with members of their community. New recruits attend these sessions over a period of five days before they are sworn in as police officers.
“The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) has had a shared vision for the past nine years to create a strong working relationship based on mutual respect and trust, with the goal to build authentic relationships between the Victoria Indigenous Street Community and VicPD officers on the front line. In this process many cultural, spiritual, and social events have been coordinated and facilitated by the VicPD Chief of Police and the ACEH Executive Director, and attended by countless officers and street community, changing one heart and one mind at a time, something not attainable by policy directives or training only - our process has been relational and successful. Before the Badge is another important step in this journey,” says Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, Director of ACEH Society.
“The Filipino-Canadian community of Victoria appreciates VicPD's efforts to reach out to different cultural groups in the city, and the opportunity to highlight both our community's strengths and vulnerabilities. To us, VicPD's engagement means we are seen, and our unique character, needs and contributions are recognized. We hope the training builds a more enlightened, responsive and compassionate police force,” says Meyen Quigley, volunteer and former member of the board, Victoria Filipino-Canadian Association.
“ICA has worked in partnership with VicPD on several Where the Community Meets Police projects over the years – projects that explore the relationship between ethno-cultural community members and the police as a way to build mutual trust and reduce the likelihood of cultural misunderstanding and discrimination. We’re excited to be part of the Before the Badge initiative that encourages collaborative and relationship-based policing,” says Paulina Grainger, Manager Arts, Equity and Community Engagement, Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.
“The Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island in partnership with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies and with funding from a Heritage Canada grant, is proud to be offering a 90-minute workshop as part of the Before the Badge Program. This dynamic workshop will help new recruits deepen their understanding of antisemitism and its profound impact on individuals and communities on Vancouver Island. Through an engaging and informative session, participants will explore the historical and contemporary dimensions of antisemitism, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to foster allyship and inclusivity in their professional and personal lives. With the alarming rise of antisemitism in our communities participating in the Before the Badge program is more important than ever for the Jewish community,” says Sharon Kobrinsky, President, Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island Board of Directors
VicPD Before the Badge was piloted in January 2025 and will continue with each intake of recruits. The schedule and communities involved varies based on availability. So far, the following groups have been involved in Before the Badge:
2SLGBTQ+
Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness
African Art & Cultural Centre
African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island
Chabad Vancouver Island
Chinese Museum
Foundation for a Path Forward / The BC Muslim Association
Intercultural Association of Victoria
Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island
Mental Health Awareness
Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre
Sikh Community
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
In addition to community-based training, recruits attend sessions in mental health and wellness, and physical literacy to better prepare them for success during the intense training period at the JIBC. The process of spending a week together also ensures that the recruits feel connected to their cohort and to the Department – a support network that will serve them well through learning to become a police officer.
VicPD Before the Badge is modeled after a successful Seattle Police Department initiative of the same name. Learn more about that program here: Before The Badge (BTB) - Police | seattle.gov.
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