Administration Section

Delta Police Department seeking Volunteers for Reserve Constable Program Note: New application criteria (as stated below)

The Delta Police Department is seeking enthusiastic volunteers who would like to join the Reserve Constable Program for January 2006.

Delta Police Department Reserve Constables are uniform sworn peace officers who volunteer their time to work within their community under the supervision of the Delta Police Department. Reserve Constables receive 90 hours of training which qualifies them to participate in community policing activities relating to public safety, public education, awareness, crime prevention and go on ride-a-longs.

Applicants must:

• Be a minimum 19 yrs of age
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant
• Have a minimum education of high school diploma
• Possess a valid driver’s license and submit a certified driving record with application
• Provide a certificate of medical suitability
• Achieve suitability status with the Delta Police Department through background and security checks

Individuals who are interested in participating in the Reserve Constable program who are not focused on pursuing a career as a Police Constable are strongly encouraged to apply. These individuals are seen as invaluable to the program and will experience the reward of working within the community as well as learning and developing some exciting new skills

The Delta Police Department looks forward to further strengthening the Reserve Constables program with continued recruitment of dedicated volunteers.

Interested persons may send a resume and cover letter, or direct any questions, to the Community Relations Officer at the Delta Police Department (604) 946-4411.  »See more information.

Police Request the Assistance of the Public in Locating Witness

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a possible witness to an incident that occurred on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 sometime between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the North Delta area.

Investigators have information that a female driving a metallic blue Nissan stopped in front of Cougar Canyon Elementary or Seaquam High School (11500 block of Lyon Road) in North Delta to enquire about the wellbeing of a group of young people that were parked in the school parking lot, getting into a red Jeep Liberty. It may have appeared that the two females that she saw in the parking lot were extremely intoxicated and that the males were attempting to assist them into the vehicle. The female witness asked the two young males if they required any assistance as it appeared as if the females were not able to respond to her themselves.

The youth are described as two young females, approximately 15 years of age in the company of two young Indo Canadian males, also 15-16 years of age.

Police would like an opportunity to speak with this female, or anyone else that may have been in the area at that time, as they may have information valuable to the investigation.

Please call the Delta Police Department at 604.946.4411.

Cops Hit the Road In Support Of Children Living With Cancer

Fraser Valley, BC – The Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley has hit the road! After months of training, a team of 22 law enforcement personnel are riding 700km over eight days in support of children living with cancer.

Cops for Cancer was started by a fellow municipal officer, Sergeant Gary Goulet of the Edmonton Police Service. In June 1994 Sergeant Goulet met Lyle Jorgenson, a five year old boy who had cancer. Goulet requested a meeting after learning that Lyle was being ridiculed at school because of his hair loss due to chemotherapy. Goulet was so moved by the boy's story that he decided to do something. He gathered a group of Edmonton officers who were willing to shave their own heads and they joined the boy in school to show kids that being bald was cool.

On this year’s Tour we will have over 60 headshaves at various Tour stops throughout nine communities from September 24 through October 1. To see the team while on Tour, visit www.bc.cancer.ca and click on the Cops for Cancer link for your area.

The Canadian Cancer Societys Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley is a partnership between Canadian law enforcement personnel and the Canadian Cancer Society. There are four Cops for Cancer Tours in the Province, including Vancouver Island (September 24 through October 7, 2005), in Greater Vancouver (September 24 through October 1, 2005), throughout the Fraser Valley (September 24 through October 1, 2005) and in the North (September 9-15, 2005). To support your local team, visit the Canadian Cancer Society website: www.bc.cancer.ca.

Police Request Public’s Assistance in Identifying Person(s) of Interest

The Delta Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the four males depicted in these photos.

            Please click on each image to see a larger photo

These males are believed to have been in the area during the time of the attack and may have information that would assist in the police investigation.

Background: On August 14, 2005 at approximately 1:10 a.m. a group of three youths in the area of 112 Street and 84th Ave were chased by a group of 3-5 young men who had emerged from a passing vehicle. The suspects attacked one youth by beating him with a bat and then stabbing him.

This attack appears to have been unprovoked and the suspects were not known to the victims.

The suspects are associated to a newer model, two-door vehicle, dark blue or black in color. The witnesses have described the vehicle as being ‘sleek’ in appearance. Of note, is the fact that a green ‘N’ sign was displayed in the center of the trunk area.

It has been reported that the carload of males drove by the teens, turned the vehicle around, parked in a parking lot close to the youths, exited the vehicle and retrieved a baseball bat from the trunk of the vehicle. The suspects chased the youths and caught up with one 17 year old male who was knocked to the ground, beaten and then stabbed. The victim was assisted by his friend to a house nearby where police were called. The victim was transported to hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He remains in stable condition and expected to recover from the injuries he sustained from this cowardly attack.

Anyone with any information about this incident or recognizes those shown in the photos is asked to call the Delta Police Department at 604.946.4411 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.

Delta Volunteer Receives Award from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Art Arnold has been volunteering for the Delta Police Department for the past 18 years and at 92 years young has given over 10,000 hours of his time back to the Tsawwassen Community. On September 23, 2005 Art was honored for his dedication to this community at the Solicitor General Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards 2005 in Burnaby.

At 74 years of age Art started with the CoPS office’s Anti Vandal Patrol team, later becoming active in Citizen Crime Watch. For the past eight years, Art has spent 14 hours per week patrolling local parking lots, tagging vehicles which are at risk of auto crime. Additionally, Art does home security checks for residents, compiles auto crime statistics, updates crime maps, attends crime watch meetings and helps out wherever else he is needed.

Art has also been volunteering at the YVR for the previous 16 years, as a member of the legendary Green Coat Team. In this capacity, Art volunteers as a customer service ambassador, helping visitors navigate around YVR.

Art is an exceptional man, with endless energy for his fulltime volunteer schedule. Not only that, he is active in numerous leisure and outdoor activities. The Delta Police Department is so proud of Art and glad that he was recognized for his outstanding work.

Block Watch Program Participants Required

The old Neighborhood Watch program is reinventing itself and along with that comes a new name, Block Watch.

Over the past several years participation in the neighborhood watch program has seen a decline. With the new name comes a new opportunity to participate in a worthwhile program.

Those that are interested in participating or learning more at an upcoming community meeting are encouraged to contact Cst. Terry Sansregret (76937@police.delta.bc.ca).

Delta Police Officer Selected to Compete In Ironman World Championship

Each year, more than 50,000 athletes from more than 50 countries attempt to qualify for the world’s most famous endurance event, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship taking place October 15, 2005 in Lailua-Kona, Hawaii.

The Delta Police Department is proud to say that one of our very own police officers, Cst. Sandy Sernoski, has qualified for this very prestigious event. Sandy is an elite athlete and has competed in five previous Ironman events, including this year’s race in Penticton, which she completed in 11 hours and 10 minutes. Her time qualified her for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii, but also ranked her second in her age group (40-44 years). Sandy also took 1 hour and 38 minutes off of her personal best time.

Sandy has overcome much adversity in her journey towards her goal and consistently demonstrates the fact that her mental strength and physical endurance know no bounds. In 2001 she suffered a heart attack, but refusing to be daunted, recovered and trained to complete the Ironman Canada event in 2002, finishing with another personal best. She has also been plagued with numerous injuries, including ACL reconstructive knee surgery and a fractured fibula. In fact her knee surgery was just 5 months before her Hawaii qualifying event this summer!

The entire department is extremely proud of her and will be cheering her on in October.

These photos are of Sandy in Penticton this summer:

Ironman Background: The Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run, which must be completed within the allotted 17-hour time frame. That’s a total journey of 140.6 miles! In order to develop the endurance necessary to compete in the event, athletes typically train for 18 to 24 hours per week for at least 6 to 8 months.

The Ironman Triathlon began in 1978 with only 15 competitors. It has seen explosive growth over the years and in 1983 the race organizers had to implement qualifying procedures. The race now includes more than 1,700 contestants who line up at the starting line, of which 1,581 completed the 2004 event. The finishers range in age from 20 to 75.

Delta Police Victim Services Seeks Volunteers

Victim Services is recruiting for Support Workers for January 2006.

Delta Police Victim Services is an award-winning community service section that provides support, information and referrals to victims of crime and trauma. Last year volunteers with Victim Services provided over 6,000 hours of service to the Delta community!

Volunteers are tasked with providing emotional support, case/file updates, information on police and court procedures, court orientation and accompaniment and referrals to community agencies. Support Worker volunteers may find themselves providing services at the scene of the crime, at the home of a traumatized family or over the phone in the aftermath of an incident

Applicants must:

• Be a minimum 19 years of age
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Be fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Be able to pass a security clearance
• Hold a valid BC driver’s license
• Live in or very near to the Delta area

It is the expectation that volunteers will contribute a minimum of four hours per week, on a consistent basis, for one year. Volunteer applicants must live in or very near to the Delta area. Volunteers will begin with an intensive 60 hour training program.

Three 90 minute information sessions for those interested in volunteering will be held at the North Delta Public Safety Building (11375 – 84th Ave) on the following dates:

• Thursday, September 22 at 6:30 pm
• Saturday, September 24 at 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm

Interested persons must attend an information session; however, attending does not obligate you to apply to the program. Please call 604-940-5019 to register.

Possible Cause of the Burns Bog Blaze has been Determined

As the firefight in Burns Bog winds down, further information as to the cause of the fire is now being released.

The fire started on September 11, 2005. Fire crews and police were on scene immediately and the lengthy process of fighting the large fire began. Together the Delta Fire Department, police and the B.C. Forest Service conducted an investigation into the cause of the fire.

The fire appears to have originated close to the 6100 block of 104 Street, which would fall near the South East quadrant of the fire. It also appears to have started in a grassy area, not the forested Bog land.

Officials have so far been unable to determine the cause of the fire. However, there is no indication that the cause of the fire is either natural (e.g. lightning) or criminal (e.g. arson). It is believed that the fire may have been started by a human source, for example a discarded cigarette or a spark from an ATV or vehicle motor.

The investigation is still ongoing, though it should be noted that it may not ever be possible to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Study Supports the Use of Conducted Energy Devices.

After a year long study the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, CACP, recently released a report on the effect of Conducted Energy Devices (CED) – sometimes known by the brand name Tasers or referred to as stun guns.

This study was conducted by the Canadian Police Research Center, CPRC, on behalf of the CACP. Chief Jim Cessford of the Delta Police Department is the Chairperson of the CPRC. Chief Cessford had overall responsibility for initiating this research, managing it to its conclusion and submitting the findings to the CACP.

This broad spectrum, multifaceted study will be the operational guidelines for not only Canadian Police agencies but also American, UK and European police and correctional services that use or will now use CEDs. The impact is tremendous upon the policing world and our local Chief was the man behind it.

If you would like to review the report it may be found on the Canadian Police Research Center website at www.cprc.org.

Hell Night - A Hot Time For Police

In South Delta, every September there are two ritualized events that occur within the first week that relate specifically to youth. The first is the re-commencement of school; a time usually looked forward to by both students and their parents. The second is Hell Night, the party your socks off last fling before summer officially ends and school begins. Only the young people who participate look forward to this event. Their parents, teachers, neighbours and community don’t.

This year Hell Night is anticipated to be September 5th but may also include September 6th. Parents should be aware of where their children are going and who they are with, these nights especially. Frequently the Hell Night parties get out of hand due to a mixture of the celebration of the occasion and the manner of celebration. There is always a concern that someone may get injured or worse. There are better ways to celebrate and these should be encouraged.

In anticipation of increased disturbance calls the Delta Police Department has assigned extra man-power to the streets those nights. There will be a zero tolerance policy regarding liquor and drugs and intoxication by either as well as infractions of the noise bylaw.

The Delta Police Department advises youths that if they want to celebrate to do so in a responsible manner with respect to others and their property.