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Bobbies back in Victoria for summer

British-style bobbies are returning to Victoria, not as crime-fighters, but as Victoria police representatives in the community.
VKA bobby 0063.jpg
Wednesdayt: Victoria police volunteer Jessie Binning, left, talks to Kalyna Russell, 3, her brother, Kasian, 8, and sister Kaia, 5, as Victoria police launch a volunteer ambassador program - featuring British-style bobbies.

British-style bobbies are returning to Victoria, not as crime-fighters, but as Victoria police representatives in the community.

The police department’s latest public relations move will see volunteer “community ambassadors” dressed in the historical uniform, attending events and wandering around downtown, ready to answer questions or pose for a photo.

“We were trying to think of another way to reach out to our community,” said Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner after introducing the program in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel on Wednesday.

“We thought about having [mascots] … but they’re really one dimensional. What we wanted was an interactive presence that gives a nod to our history and as well be able to talk to students, visitors, people about our history, about what to do in the downtown core.”

While Saanich police have gone the mascot route, with a plush police dog named Ace, Victoria police determined the bobbies were cheaper — a mascot costume can run at least $12,000 and can only be used by one person at a time, for a limited time in the summer heat. And, unlike mascots, bobbies wouldn’t be out of place at fancy functions.

The department has five bobby uniforms and about 10 volunteers willing to don them.

Paul Nursey, president and CEO of Tourism Victoria, welcomed the program as an added attraction for visitors to the city.

Even though Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps refused to swear allegiance to the Queen during her inauguration ceremony in December, she said Wednesday she has no problem with VicPD’s nod to the city’s British past.

“We’re everybody. We are British, we’re First Nations, we’re Asian — this is Canada in the 21st century,” Helps said. “So it’s the past and the future together.”

The Victoria Police Department is also launching its summer action program, which will see the chief, deputy chiefs and administrative officers get out from behind the desk and walk the beat.

kderosa@timescolonist.com