Sooke strongly supports the call for increased collaboration in investigating murders on Vancouver Island.
B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnsworth has requested preliminary consultations with municipalities, First Nations, and policing partners to explore the expansion of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU).
Farnsworth says that although the unit has served the participating municipalities well, it’s time to upgrade the current model. He suggests creating a new and expanded Island-wide integrated unit that will enable all Island municipalities to join and deal effectively with the increasing number of homicides and growing costs.
A ministry statement noted that several municipalities – including Sooke –not involved with VIIMCU have been calling for its expansion.
“This is encouraging news,” said Sooke Coun. Jeff Bateman. “The district remains vulnerable to potential six-figure bills in the entirely unpredictable event of major crimes in our community.
“Mayor (Maja) Tait has strongly and consistently advocated with Minister Farnworth for VIIMCU expansion and has met with him in person during [Union of B.C. Municipalities] ministerial meetings the last four years on this subject specifically. It’s great to know her urgent message is getting through.”
The VIIMCU has been investigating cases of missing and murdered individuals in participating municipalities and First Nations communities since 2007.
The unit comprises 35 officers and staff from the RCMP and the police departments of Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich, and Central Saanich. The unit serves the Capital Region, most of Vancouver Island, the Northern and Southern Gulf Islands, and some parts of the provincial coastline.
“While homicides remain relatively rare events, they have been steadily increasing in the province over the years,” Farnworth said. “The impact that homicides have on communities are significant and are felt well beyond victims and their families.”
Calls for VIIMCU’s expansion coincide with a rise in homicides on Vancouver Island and other nearby coastal regions.
According to data from the B.C. Coroners Service, in 2022, Island Health, encompassing Vancouver Island and portions of the provincial coastline, reported 25 homicides. To put it in perspective, this figure is only two less than the number recorded by Coastal Health, which covers Metro Vancouver.
Although there are yearly variations in the numbers, the overall trend indicates an increase. In 2020, the region had 11 homicides, followed by 24 in 2021, and 25 in 2022.
The ministry will take partner input before deciding. VIIMCU will stay as is for now. The process is set to start soon.
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