Grappling with the aftermath of last Tuesday’s attempted bank robbery in Saanich, two police unions have teamed up and are seeking funds to aid in the recovery of officers injured during the shootout.
A GoFundMe launched last week by the Saanich Police Association (SPA) and Victoria City Police Union (VCPU) called “Stronger Together” has exceeded its $100,000 goal, raking in over $145,000 from nearly 800 donors by Monday afternoon.
SPA President Sgt. Jason Whittaker calls the outpouring of support “incredible” and says funds raised quickly surpassed what organizers had initially anticipated.
“I’m inundated with calls of support coming in locally, provincially and nationally,” Whittaker told CHEK News.
Around 11 a.m. on June 28, officers from Saanich Police, VicPD and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) responded to the BMO on Shelbourne Street following a call that two armed men had entered the bank.
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When multiple officers responded to the scene, the suspects began shooting at police, prompting a gunfight. The pair was eventually shot dead by police, as six GVERT officers — three from Saanich Police and three from VicPD — suffered gunshot wounds.
All six officers were rushed to hospital, including three who required surgery.
“As a result of this incident, multiple sworn and civilian members of the SPA and VCPU have been physically and mentally injured,” wrote GoFundMe organizer Chelsea Cofield. “The total impact of this event is still unknown as some of our officers are facing life-altering injuries.”
In an interview, Whittaker praised officers’ actions, saying they put themselves in harm’s way to keep the public safe.
“I was of the first on the scene,” he recalled.
“I’m a frontline police officer, and it was my shift along with GVERT members who confronted the suspects. It was an incident I’ve never experienced in my 20 years, and I hope to never experience it again.”
The SPA and VCPU say they’ve launched a “joint committee” to ensure their members and families are taken care of during this time, with a focus on mental health supports, according to Whittaker.
With increased expenses expected over the coming months, funds raised through the GoFundMe will also support accommodation and transportation for the families of those in hospital, as well as any necessary modifications to officers’ homes.
Thanking all who donated, Whittaker hopes those affected can now focus on healing and spending time with their loved ones.
“Out of some bad, came some really good,” added Whittaker.
“We’re all still here, and that’s a big thing.”
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Ethan Morneau
