Vancouver Police are working to protect the health and safety of members and the public as efforts are made to stop the spread of COVID-19. Here’s how:
- We are planning for different scenarios: The VPD has activated its pandemic plan and business continuity planning to ensure essential staffing levels on the front line are maintained.
- We are analyzing crime trends and data to react and plan ahead: The VPD has advanced analytical capabilities that allow us to review crime statistics on a daily basis and identify trends and geographic hot spots. This analysis allows the department to reallocate resourcing and plan ahead for new issues that emerge.
- We are changing the way we respond to lower priority investigations: If you call us for a lower priority investigation, officers will conduct the investigation over the phone. An example of a lower priority investigation is where there is no current safety threat and there is no suspect present – like a break-and-enter discovered later. We will always respond in person if there is a threat to public safety or if a crime is in progress.
- You may be asked to provide more information if you call 9-1-1: We are working with our partners at E-COMM to ensure our officers have accurate information when they are dispatched to an emergency call. Call-takers may ask if you or anyone who needs help have flu-like symptoms.
- We have adjusted some of the in-person services we offer: Wearing a mask and physical distancing is mandatory when at our Public Information Counters. If you don’t have a mask, we will supply one for you. If you require a police information check or our fingerprint service, you must book an appointment first. We have increased cleaning and sanitization to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Visitors to the VPD are also required to complete a self-assessment with Public Service staff when they arrive.
- We have increased the threshold for online crime reporting: You can now report theft under $10,000 through the online system. This amount was previously set at $5,000. You can also report other types of crime online that does not require an emergency response.
- All frontline members have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): We have conducted an extensive inventory to ensure the appropriate PPE is currently available to frontline members and will continue to be available in the coming weeks and months. All of our frontline members have access to gloves, masks and personal respiratory masks.