Podcast
True Blue Podcast
Hosted by Matt Waterman · EN
Go behind the scenes with members from the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU). A long format podcast giving you an in depth glimpse into lives of police officers working in Esquimalt and Victoria. You won't find content like this anywhere else and you will hear regular interviews from a diverse group of VCPU members telling their stories.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Experienced Officer Transition to VicPD - Sergeant Vlad Filatov
4d ago00:35:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Joel Durling is joined by Sergeant Vlad Filatov. Vlad has been with VicPD since 2015 but started with the RCMP in 2013. Vlad and his family immigrated from Romania when he was 9 years old, after spending some time in Montreal they moved West to Victoria where he graduated high school and completed a degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Victoria. He began volunteering with VicPD’s Crime Watch Program on the recommendation of now retired Sgt. Bill Laughlin as a path to gain experience before applying to policing.Before his recent promotion to Sergeant Vlad has worked in Patrol, Traffic, Integrated Tech Crimes, Special Victims Unit and Cyber Crimes. He believes the police world has been lacking in use of technology to solve crime, although we’re getting better and the potential is so vast.Vlad says he doesn’t have the magic keys to solving homelessness, but he wasn’t a big fan of the failed decriminalization of drugs and what that has resulted in. His promotion will move him back to Patrol Division soon and some time working in the VicPD Jail.Enjoy the episode.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →Experienced Officer Transition to VicPD - Dyanne Parker
3w ago00:46:28Tap to summarizeJoel Durling hosts another really good episode of the True Blue Podcast. In this episode, you get a chance to meet Sergeant Dyanne Parker who previously served with the Toronto Police Service (TPS).Sergeant Parker completed 13 years with TPS before applying to VicPD a little over 2 years ago. Dyanne shares some stories of what working in Toronto was like as a police officer - lots of gangsters to chase! She has an identical twin sister, she is a mother of 2, enjoys playing Pickleball and loves living near the ocean.VicPD's recruiting push in Ontario a few years ago has paid off nicely by finding Dyanne. Her experiences in Toronto are a huge asset to VicPD and now that she's promoted to Sergeant, she will continue to pass along her vast experience to junior officers at VicPD.Enjoy the episode.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →
Experienced Officer Transition to VicPD - Constable Adam Osmond
4w ago01:10:48Tap to summarizeConstable Adam Osmond was a 10 year veteran of the Calgary Police Service (CPS) before moving to VicPD to continue his policing career. Adam and Host Joel Durling run through Adam's life before policing and some fantastic details on why he wanted to work in policing. Adam discusses his favourite hobbies to many of the great experiences he had in the CPS. On New Year's Eve in 2020, Adam and his Recruit were the first officers on scene when Sergeant Andrew Harnett was killed on duty by a teenaged driver who fled a traffic stop. Adam provided court testimony in the murder trail that led to a conviction.Adam grew up mainly in Alberta but had also attended high school in Victoria so coming back here wasn't overly foreign to him. He credits VicPD's program of offering a cash incentive to helping him return to Victoria.He continues to work in the Patrol Division but has aspirations of working in the Forensics Unit at VicPD.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →
Experienced Officer Transition to VicPD - Detective Joel Durling
Apr 1500:36:00Tap to summarizeJoel Durling is a 10 year veteran of the RCMP and recently moved to VicPD to continue his policing career. It was Joel's idea to have experienced officers come on the podcast and share some of the details of their move over to VicPD. He will be hosting future episodes and chatting with more experienced officers to hear their stories.Joel is originally from Nova Scotia, he was a Registered Nurse (RN) prior to joining the RCMP. His career in the RCMP includes small town work, big town faster pace experience and Provincial Traffic enforcement.Joel credits seeing a promotional video created by the VicPD Recruiting Unit where members showed off being out on the ocean and enjoying life as a draw to join VicPD. He speaks highly of the Wellness Unit and VicPD's efforts to support every member's mental health.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →
2026 WOUNDED WARRIOR RUN BC
Feb 2000:36:50Tap to summarize2026 WOUNDED WARRIOR RUN BC8 DAYS8 RUNNERS800 KMSFebruary 22 – March 1, 2026From Port Hardy to Victoria, no small feat. Come cheer along the route or meet us at one of 28 stops to support our runners, Canadian Veterans, First Responders, and their families.Thanks to Capt(N) Kevin Whiteside (CFB Esquimalt) and Ret’d Deputy Chief Jason Laidman (VicPD) for taking time to chat about this year’s event. Kevin will be participating in his 2nd Wounded Warrior Run and this year Jason is on the support crew after his 2nd run last year.https://woundedwarriors.ca/run-bc/Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →Marianne Alto - Mayor of Victoria
Feb 600:57:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode, VCPU President, Angela Van Eerd speaks with City of Victoria Mayor, Marianne Alto. Many different topics get covered in this interview including some interesting personal details about Her Worship and the educational path she experienced as a young person which is certainly very different than most people. You'll hear some views on Community Safety and Wellbeing, VicPD's lack of human resources, shelter and housing policies of Victoria, future budget support for the VicPD, and the potential for a Regional Policing model.In July 2024, Sgt. Van Eerd (VCPU President) was in uniform and a first hand witness to the chaos and frustrations that occurred on Pandora Avenue when a Paramedic was seriously assaulted and other first responders were swarmed and required to defend themselves; she talks about a text message she sent to Mayor Alto that evening expressing her frustrations on the level of disorder and bedlam that City policies had created.Mayor Alto has already announced that she intends to run for re-election in October 2026.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →
Regimental Mess Dinner
Jan 2400:54:37Tap to summarizeTo kick off Season 6 of the True Blue Podcast, we chat with Sgt. David Jorgensen, current Vice-President of the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU) and Sgt. (Ret’d) Ole Jorgensen, former long time VCPU executive member. We discussed the Regimental Mess Dinner that occurred in late 2025. Well over 100 serving and retired members participated in the event, which is intended to foster camaraderie, promote an appreciation for the history of VicPD and to celebrate those who have served in the Victoria Police Department. The event is formal in nature but not intended to focus on rank or work topics. Good natured ribbing and frivolity are expected during the dinner. The event is co-sponsored by the VCPU and organized by the Victoria Police Mutual Benevolent Association (PMBA). Members regard this event as the one occasion where you get to celebrate friendships and can really feel a sense of belonging.Lastly, we get a few career details from one of our father/son police officer perspectives. Thanks to Ole and David for participating.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →
2025 Year End Wrap-Up Episode
Dec 1500:53:12Tap to summarizeThe True Blue Podcast wraps up Season 5 with Host Tom Stamatakis interviewing the VCPU President Angela Van Eerd. Hear them discuss the successes and challenges of 2025. Furthermore, they look into the future and discuss what Contract Bargaining and Crime Fighting will look like in 2026.Ang and Tom make it clear that the complaint process needs to be better, the lengthy delays are weighing on the membership and arguably it’s also hampering recruitment of new officers to the profession.The Victoria City Police Union is so thankful for all the listeners of the podcast who support the efforts of the Union. We all believe that the policing profession is the best and that our members deserve praise for being brave and keeping our communities safe.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →
National Police Federation - Rob Farrer & Chris Voller
Dec 101:01:44Tap to summarizeGreat interview with two NPF (National Police Federation) representatives, Rob Farrer - VP Pacific Region and Chirs Voller - Director Pacific Region.https://npf-fpn.com/The National Police Federation is the sole certified bargaining agent for regular Members and reservists of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police below the rank of Inspector. The NPF was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. We are the largest police labour relations organization in Canada, the second largest in North America and the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members. Mission:To provide strong, fair, and progressive representation to promote and enhance the rights of RCMP Members.Vision:RCMP Members are recognized as the best police officers in the world and are compensated accordingly.Values:LoyaltyOur Members’ best interests will always govern our decisions and actions.ProductivityWe focus on solutions for Members, applying evidence and best practice through an ethical framework.InnovationWe are open to new opinions, new ideas and new ways of getting things done.InclusivityWe welcome Members of all communities. We are transparent and collaborative in achieving our objectives.CollaborationThe NPF and our Members are committed to providing police services that support safer and more liveable communities, large and small.Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →
Dr. Lydia - "Just F*ucking Do It" - A No Bullshit Survival Guide For First Responders - Part 2
Nov 2100:41:59Tap to summarizeDr. Lydia Vallieres - "Just F*ucking Do It" - A No Bullshit Survival Guide For First Responders - What The Academy Didn't Teach You.Hope you enjoy these episodes with Dr. Lydia as we talk about her book and experiences working with first responders on their mental well-being.Seven Parts of the Book1. The Hidden Toll of the Job2. Cognitive Survival3. Nervous System & Emotional Regulation4. Psychological Injury & Repair5. Strength That Holds6. Protecting Your Relationships7. Building Your Life Beyond the Badgehttps://www.drlydiainc.ca/Sound editing done by Todd Mason.More about the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU):- Tweet us at https://twitter.com/VicPD_Union- Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vicpd_union/- Find us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/truebluevictoria/- Visit our website for information at https://truebluevic.ca/- Email us at media@vcpu.ca for any media inquiries or requests to be on the True Blue Podcast
Transcribe →