‘Breaking through that glass ceiling’: Oak Bay Police appoints new deputy chief, 1st woman to hold position in Greater Victoria

CHEK
WatchSgt. Julie Chanin will become the first woman to hold the position of Deputy Police Chief in the 106-year history of Oak Bay. Mary Griffing reports.

Julie Chanin has made history.

The sergeant was named the next deputy chief constable of Oak Bay Police Department on Monday, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the 106-year history of Oak Bay.

In a few months, Chanin will take over the position from current Deputy Chief Const. Mark Fisher, who is replacing retiring Police Chief Ray Bernoties.

“It’s still sinking in. And I am operational today, so I haven’t really had much of a chance to garner the feedback. But we’ll wait and see. So far what we’re received has been very positive,” she told CHEK News on Monday.

Chanin, a 22-year policing veteran, will not only become Oak Bay’s first female deputy police chief — she’ll be the first female deputy police chief in the Capital Regional District.

“Sgt. Chanin has everything that the Oak Bay Police Department, and Oak Bay Police board were looking for. Really, she has everything a police department would be looking for,” said Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch.

“It’s absolutely significant. And it’s a result of a lot of years of changing the way that our leadership has done its hiring. And their willingness to be open in terms of the democratic process of promotion within.”

Chanin is now part of an exclusive company of just seven female deputy police chiefs in all of B.C.

Tanya McLachlan is president of BC Women in Law Enforcement, and said Chanin’s  promotion is seen as a progressive, positive move.

“We’re hoping that as we move forward that women will be represented in leadership, and including women of a diverse nature of ethnicities and religions. And so we are happy to see Deputy Chief Chanin in this position.”

And Chanin is grateful for the opportunity.

“It’s fantastic that Oak Bay continues to make progressive steps, and breaking through that glass ceiling, I’m quoting other people who’ve said that. But I’m just so grateful for the opportunity.”

Bernoties, who will officially retire as police chief this summer, said he is “thrilled” for Oak Bay PD over Chanin’s appointment.

“She is exactly the kind of person anyone would want in charge of their Police Department,” he said.

The new appointments will take effect on June 21, the department said.

Jeff LawrenceJeff Lawrence
Mary GriffinMary Griffin

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