BCSS Victoria Receives Commendation and Donation from Victoria Police Board

On September 11th, BCSS Victoria volunteers and staff were special guests at a meeting of the  Victoria Police Board.  Welcomed by Chief Jamie Graham and Victoria mayor, His Worship Dean Fortin, BCSS Victoria was thanked for playing an important role in the training of police members in crisis de-escalation.  People with lived experience of mental illness and family members of people with mental illness shared their perspectives on interactions with police at fifteen training sessions held over the summer.  A final session is slated for later this month.  VicPD Constable Greg Holmes, who  organized the training, said that the panel presentations were a highlight of the training and an attitude changer for some of the officers.