Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section : Hate Crimes Information

Diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section

Partnering with our community for excellence and innovation in public safety

The Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section seeks to engage with the community we serve and our partner agencies to improve public safety and to address victimization motivated by bias, prejudice, and hate. This section develops and implements community-based initiatives and programs to build relationships with Vancouver’s diverse communities.

Community Matters

VPD’s community engagement promotes cultural awareness, safety, and helps build trust in police. These elements are essential to addressing and reducing crime. Learn more in our community outreach report.

 

Hate Crimes

The VPD has a full-time specialized investigator who reviews all hate crimes. We take hate crime very seriously, and encourage you to make a police report so we can investigate.

What is a hate crime?

A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property that is based upon the victim's race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor.

How to report a hate crime

If you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime:

• call 9-1-1 if it has just happened
• stay calm
• keep all materials and information, including video
• write down all the details of the incident

Interpretation services are available 24/7 in 170 languages when you call 9-1-1. You will immediately be asked if you need police, fire, or ambulance. Say the language you speak and an interpreter will respond in that language.

We are here to help, and to engage with the communities we serve and with our partner agencies to improve public safety.

Indigenous Community

The VPD Indigenous Liaison Officer and the VPD Indigenous Community Policing Centre Officer work closely with the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre and other agencies to develop relationships and engage the community in proactive crime prevention initiatives.

The Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section conducts outreach through multiple programs in an attempt to reach and engage vulnerable Indigenous populations. These programs include the SisterWatch Committee, Access Recreation and Culture Youth Program (ARC), and the Pulling Together Canoe Journey.

In partnership with the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), the Vancouver Police Department recruits Indigenous Cadets for a three-month work experience project each summer. Applicants are Indigenous youth who are college or university students and interested in becoming police officers.

2SLGBTQ+ Community

The VPD 2SLGBTQ+ Liaison Officer works with community agencies to improve the safety of 2SLGBTQ+ people in our city, which is the goal of the Safe Place program.

This ongoing initiative involves outreach to local businesses and institutions, and providing them with Safe Place window decals which identify their premises as a place of safety for anyone feeling unsafe.

Since implementation in 2016, 500 Vancouver and Lower Mainland businesses, agencies, and organizations have signed on to participate and support 2SLGTBQ+ communities.

The VPD developed the video “Walk With Me” to promote awareness of the issues transgender people face on a daily basis. Since its creation, the video has been viewed over 86,000 times.

Find more information on the VPD's policy for initial contact with transgender people.

Community Engagement and Education

The Diversity Liaison Officer conducts outreach to various communities, which includes weekly meetings and educational programs at the Immigrant Services Society of BC, youth engagement through the New Kids program, and community education through the Citizens' Police Academy.

The Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section participates in the BC Law Enforcement Diversity Network, liaising with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police detachments to host diversity educational forums for law enforcement professionals

The Section participates in numerous community events and occasions throughout the year. These include the Chinese New Year Parade, Women’s Memorial March, Vaisakhi Parade, Pulling Together Canoe Journey, Pride Parade, Walk for Reconciliation, and National Aboriginal Veterans Day.

 

VPD Diversity, Inclusion, and
Indigenous Relations Section