October 23,2025
RED FM News Desk
The Victoria Police Department is recruiting recently retired officers to help improve response times and maintain consistent service levels.
VicPD announced the temporary program on Thursday, noting it is intended to fill vacancies while long-term hiring continues.
“This is not a replacement for permanent hiring,” said VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson.
Retired officers can return to work for up to three years, primarily serving full-time on patrol, where staffing needs are greatest.
“Many of these individuals have deep community ties and a strong understanding of local challenges,” Wilson added.
The retired officers will earn about $160,000 per year, though Wilson said the total cost of the program is still uncertain.
This summer, Victoria city council approved funding to hire nine new officers. Some positions have been filled, while others may be covered by retirees, Wilson said.
Wilson also noted that at any given time, roughly 45 officers are unavailable due to leave or training. VicPD currently has an authorized strength of 269 officers, with plans to grow by 16.
The proposal is included in VicPD’s draft 2026 budget, which requests a $7.8 million increase, potentially bringing the total budget to $86.8 million if approved by the Victoria and Esquimalt councils.
Mayor Marianne Alto said meeting the funding request could require a five per cent property tax increase, but praised the chief and board for aligning the additional resources with the city’s community safety and well-being plan, a multi-year strategy to address public safety issues.
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