Victoria Police Chief Del Manak’s term as chief constable of the department has been extended until 2024.
The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
The new contract will run from Jan 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2024.
Manak previously served as Acting Chief Constable from December 2015 to June 2017, after which he was appointed chief constable in a contract with a term of July 1st, 2017, to December 31st, 2020.
The police board said Manak has made “employee well-being and mental health a top priority, as well as enhancing the department’s connections with its communities while charting a future course for the organization through the publication of VicPD’s new Strategic Plan A Safer Community Together.”
“Chief Manak is a proven leader who has successfully led VicPD since 2015,” said board co-chair Esquimalt Mayor Barbara Desjardins in a statement.
“The board is looking forward to continuing to work with Chief Manak as we collaboratively face the opportunities that lie ahead.”
“Manak’s reappointment comes at a time with significant changes and challenges in policing,” said board co-chair Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps in a statement.
“I am happy that the board has decided to reappoint Chief Manak at this time, as his thoughtful leadership around issues of diversity and inclusion will be really important for the police department and for the community as a whole.”
Born and raised in Victoria, Manak started his policing career with four years of service with the Vancouver Police Department. He came to VicPD in 1993, where he has served in a variety of sections and roles.
He spent five years in the VicPD Traffic section, where he was a collision analyst and part of the escort and drill team. Manak also helped create the Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) in the Capital Regional District.
Promoted to the rank of inspector in 2006, Manak served as the officer in charge of human resources for over three years. He then oversaw the patrol division until he was promoted to deputy chief constable in 2010. He was then promoted to chief constable on July 1, 2017.
Manak released the following statement Tuesday evening:
“Earlier this evening, the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board announced that they have renewed my appointment as Chief Constable of the Victoria Police Department.
“I am honoured and humbled by this decision.
“The women and men of the Victoria Police Department have achieved so much since I was appointed acting chief in 2015, not because of me, but because they are some of the most talented, professional, caring, and compassionate people anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing.
“And that is the most exciting part of this announcement for me: I now get to work alongside the women and men of VicPD, both officers and civilian staff, for another four years.
“We have our work cut out for us. In my 27 years with VicPD, I have never seen our officers and staff as busy as they are today. And with increasing demands for policing services throughout Victoria and Esquimalt, I don’t see that trend reversing any time soon.
“However, we have a plan. The work we need to do is clearly laid out in the three goals of our new strategic plan A Safer Community Together: support community safety, enhance public trust, and achieve organizational excellence. I am excited to work with our community, our Board and all divisions within VicPD to deliver on our new strategic plan over the next four years.
“But my priority is to deliver the first-rate policing that our citizens expect in a way that is sustainable for the women and men of VicPD. We have to continue the open and honest conversations about the mental health of first responders and the ongoing toll that this work can take on all of us. We have to do better when it comes to protecting our people from operational stress injuries and helping them when they are affected by the demands of the job.
“One factor that helps us immensely is the support we receive from the communities of Victoria and Esquimalt. Day after day, I gratefully receive your words of thanks for the work of my officers and staff. These expressions of appreciation remind us all why we come into work and why we serve our communities. I look forward to continuing to serve as your Chief Constable and as a representative of the women and men of the Victoria Police Department.
“Finally, I would like to thank my family for their sacrifice, support and encouragement they provide me every day. They continually inspire me to be better at everything I do.”
CHEK News
