After more than four years in the making, Saanich Police unveiled its new crest on the first day of spring.
“[It] is a historic moment for the Saanich Police Department,” said Saanich Police Chief Dean Duthie. “The new crest is much more than a new look, a shoulder patch, or a logo. Our new crest captures the essence of our culture, our values, our hearts, and our vision.”
After a short solemn entrance ceremony, Duthie unveiled the force’s new emblem now incorporating Indigenous elements to reflect the district’s location within the traditional territories of the WSANEC and Lekwungen peoples.
For the past five decades, Saanich Police used the district’s coat of arms. However, in late 2020, it was decided it was time to shake things up. The department’s Committee for Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Education began working on a police-specific crest that would include Indigenous representation.
“The idea of a new crest was sparked by officers within our organization,” said Duthie. “This led to important and respectful conversations with artists from the Lekwungen and WSANEC nations.”
After receiving the green light from the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 2021, the department and committee got to work. Three years later, the new crest was officially approved in late 2024.
WSANEC artist Tom LaFortune proposed a raven as the central symbol, which was illustrated by artist Douglas “Bear” Horne. Lekwungen artist Clarence “Butch” Dick designed two maple leaves featured on the crest.
The raven, a skilled communicator and guardian of Indigenous cultures, represents the department’s commitment to community-based policing and fostering trust through inclusiveness and transparency.
A dogwood flower symbolizes British Columbia and a laurel of maple leaves represents Canada. The emblem also includes twin green peaks representing PKOLS-Mount Douglas and Mount Tolmie while a Canadian royal crown, which signifies the department’s commitment to justice, tops the crest.
“It truly and accurately represents who we are, where we live, what work we do and the people that we impact,” said Duthie. “The old crest didn't truly represent who we were as the times have changed, and we wanted to more accurately incorporate the important elements of Saanich.”
