#VPDNews: The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is adding new cutting-edge technologies to help keep the city safe. The new tools enhance frontline officer awareness, strengthen accountability, and build on the Department’s mission to protect public safety while balancing the privacy of both the community and VPD officers. In the air, VPD is the first police agency in Canada to deploy Skydio X10 drones for a Drone as First Responder Program. After extensive testing, six of the remote-piloted drone systems will be deployed. The drones have already been in testing for several weeks and are fully approved by Transport Canada. “The potential of the Skydio drone systems in our work is impressive for many reasons, not least of which is they will be able to link with our body-worn cameras,” said Inspector Wade Rodrigue, with the VPD’s Force Options Training Section. “For example, if an officer is in trouble, perhaps being assaulted, they can tap their camera three times which will automatically deploy a Skydio drone to their exact location at the direction of the pilot in command. Pilots can also fly the drones to a crime in progress, arrive first, and send their video feeds to responding officers on the ground as well as the Operations Command Center (OCC). That gives us better intel on what’s happening and can help responding officers to pursue suspects who may try and evade them.” The VPD will continue to adhere to its posted policyand procedures as well as those prescribed by Transport Canada and Nav Canada with respect to the operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) assets. The weatherproof Skydio drone launch/landing pods are installed on rooftops at strategic locations throughout Vancouver, including the VPD’s Tactical Training Centre. The drones will only record video when that function is activated by a pilot, and only when appropriate as per policy. Body-worn cameras are also expanding in function. The Axon body cameras used by VPD now have the ability to translate language in real time with Axon Assistant, allowing officers to understand at the push of a button whatever is being said to them in over 50 languages, and to have their reply translated into the language recognized as being spoken. Real-Time Translation adds to VPD’s current translation offerings and will be used when a quick translation is needed. “When you consider how multicultural Vancouver is, this translation ability is a game-changer,” said Sergeant Dermot O’Boyle. “We want to be able to help everyone in our city, including those who may not be fluent in English. Being able to understand what they’re telling us is a critical first step to getting them the help they need.” Body-worn camera footage can also now be live-streamed to the VPD’s Operations Command Centre so personnel there can see what the officer is seeing and dispatch additional resources as needed. This can be done at the officer’s request or based on the priority of the call when an urgent situation is developing. In addition, Axon’s real-time operations platform, Fusus, improves visibility and coordination across responding units and partner agencies by enabling Operations Centre personnel to view RPAS and body-worn camera video according to pre-determined operating protocols. Other new tools entering service include: ➡️ 73 Fleet 3 in-car video systems with automated license plate recognition cameras (ALPR) across the VPD fleet, helping officers spot vehicles of interest faster which are already proving effective, with one ALPR-equipped cruiser flagging 22 uninsured vehicles in just three hours ➡️ Holsters for conducted energy weapons and service weapons that automatically activate body-worn cameras when drawn, capturing critical moments right away “Combined, these technologies create a system that helps improve decision-making, response times, and overall public safety in Vancouver,” said Kevin Bernardin, Superintendent of Innovation and Technology at the VPD. All are designed with responsible AI and data use at their core, with safeguards for secure data handling, controlled access, and auditability. The AI does not make decisions about an individual, rather it gives the VPD the ability to respond more appropriately to emerging situations. Data is managed in alignment with local governance requirements, helping ensure it remains protected and under appropriate jurisdictional control, while giving VPD confidence that sensitive information is handled in accordance with British Columbia privacy standards. #VPD Drone Policy: bit.ly/43ngF6V

#VPDNews: At approximately 9 p.m. Monday, Vancouver Police responded to reports of a violent home invasion in the 3600-block of Commercial Street. Police arrived on scene to find a violent incident underway with the suspect having gained entry to a residence and holding a man hostage. Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation but were ultimately forced to shoot the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The hostage was injured and taken to hospital for medical attention. He has since been released. No officers were injured in the incident. The Independent Investigations Office has been called to investigate the circumstances.

#VPDNews: A 37-year-old man has been charged in relation to an alleged unprovoked assault on a restaurant worker. Around 11:30 a.m. on June 2, a concerned citizen reported a man yelling profanities in the Mount Pleasant area. Officers arrived and observed the man throw an object at a vehicle. When they attempted to arrest him, he ran away. After a brief chase, officers located him in a nearby bush and took him into custody. While the man was in custody, police learned of an earlier report nearby of a restaurant worker who suffered a dislocated shoulder when he was allegedly assaulted. The suspect description matched the man in custody. “The suspect has recently arrived in Vancouver, and has been the subject of over five calls to police this week,” says Constable Megan Lui. “The assault appears to have been unprovoked, and the motive is unknown at this time.” Victor Coscarella, 37, originally from Ontario, has been charged with: ➡️Assault causing bodily harm ➡️Obstructing a peace officer Coscarella remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

#VPDNews: Charges have been recommended after VPD arrested a man for allegedly threatening a convenience store worker with a knife. On May 29, shortly after 6:00 a.m., Vancouver Police responded to a report of a shoplifter threatening someone with a knife outside a downtown convenience store on Granville and Drake. The suspect was allegedly confronted outside the store by the worker for allegedly stealing a box of cookies and then threatening to vandalize his car. When the worker attempted to intervene, the suspect reportedly brandished a knife. Police located the suspect a block away and arrested him without incident. Christopher Chiappe, 47, has been charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats to damage property, and theft under $5000. He was transported to jail and released with conditions with a court hearing scheduled for June 8. Chiappe was also arrested for assault at an East Vancouver shelter on May 25 for allegedly kicking a man repeatedly in the head.

On May 27, 2022, at 4 a.m., 911 calls began reporting the sound of glass breaking and a woman screaming for help. Further calls reported a man seen with a knife. Officers arrived at the chaotic scene within minutes. People were running from the apartment building, screaming, many of them with blood on their clothing from brushing up against blood on the walls. It wasn’t immediately apparent if there were additional victims or perpetrators. The officers encountered a woman with multiple stab wounds in the lobby, and a second victim just outside an open door to an apartment. As they peered inside, they could see blood on the floors and walls. A man, also covered in blood, was standing inside holding a knife. The officers yelled at the man to drop the knife. He complied and they took him into custody. They immediately turned their attention to the victims, rendering lifesaving first aid and compassionate care. For their quick and decisive response, stopping an armed and unpredictable suspect, and saving the lives of two women, Sergeant Dan Ames, and Constables Nicholas Chow, Nicole Lauro, and Courtney Srigley are awarded a Chief Constable’s Citation. #VPD2026CommendationCeremony Read more award recipient stories: bit.ly/4fMsGdf

#VPDNews: Vancouver Police have taken a dangerous offender with a history of violence back into custody after arresting him on May 21 in the Downtown Eastside. Tyler Gordon Strathdee, 37, was most recently the subject of a public warning by Vancouver Police in November 2025, when he obtained statutory release and began residing at a halfway house in Vancouver. Vancouver Police believe Strathdee poses a significant risk of harm and is a high risk to commit further physical and sexual violence. On Thursday afternoon VPD’s District 5 Officers arrested Strathdee on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching his parole conditions. Strathdee was taken into custody at his Downtown Eastside halfway house and remains in custody.

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers would like to sincerely thank the Chinese Community Policing Centre, VPD and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. for hosting the Victims & Survivors of Crime Forum. @ChineseCPC #CrimeStoppers #CommunitySafety #VictimServices #SUCCESS #ChineseCommunityPolicingCentre

Update: The criminal charges initially posted were incorrect and have been revised: #VPDNews: Charges have been approved against a suspect in relation to the West End vehicle-ramming incident on May 15. Tadd Bali, 34, has been charged with four counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm. He remains in custody. Bali has had extensive interactions with police in B.C. and in Saskatchewan. The senior citizen injured when the suspect vehicle struck him remains in the hospital in serious condition. Both injured VPD officers, including one recruit constable who was on his second day of work at the time of the incident, were released from the hospital on May 15. At this time, the investigation continues and anyone with video footage of the incident is asked to contact the VPD Major Crimes at 604-717-2500.

#VPDNews: Three men have been charged in relation to alleged Downtown Eastside drug trafficking operations after two investigations by the Vancouver Police Department in the same building. The VPD’s District 5 project team began the first investigation, Project “Bouquet” last year, resulting in the seizure of weapons, cash, and kilograms of drugs from the building in the 300-block of East Hastings Street. “The District 5 project team used a variety of investigative techniques over three months and obtained search warrants.” said Sgt. Adam Donaldson with the Vancouver Police Department. “The work put in by the officers directly contributes to the safety of the neighbourhood.” The search warrants were executed in July 2025, and charges were approved by Crown counsel in March. James William Clapp is charged with trafficking a controlled substance. Roy Alvin Haynes is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a weapon. Jose Inacio is charged with unauthorized possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. Building on the success of Project “Bouquet,” the District 5 project team then moved on to Project “Bouquet Deux” when it became clear that alleged trafficking operations were ongoing in the building. In March of this year, two search warrants were executed at separate residences in the building. Officers seized more than three kilograms of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine. They also seized $12,000 in cash, several weapons including a taser and crossbow, as well as two bulletproof vests. District 5 members arrested several people in relation to Project “Bouquet Deux,” and the investigation is ongoing. Charges have not yet been approved, and no suspect names are being released.

#VPDNews: Vancouver Police are investigating the city’s fourth homicide of 2026 after a man succumbed to injuries sustained in an alleged stabbing near East Hastings and Columbia Street. VPD officers responded to the area on Wednesday at 2:32 a.m. after witnesses called 9-1-1. The victim was transported to hospital where he later died. The victim has been identified as 49-year-old James Andrew Slater. A man and a woman have been arrested but no charges have been laid at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2500.

#VPDNews: VPD officers intervened last Saturday morning after witnessing a man on the Cambie Bridge allegedly punching a jogger before attempting to assault a woman and her young child. At 10:50 a.m. an officer who was conducting an unrelated investigation in the area, observed the man acting erratically. Upon witnessing the assault, the officer activated his emergency lights and sirens to draw the suspect’s attention away from the victims. The man attempted to flee but was arrested at West 2nd Avenue and Yukon Street. William Sadler, a 32-year-old North Vancouver resident, has been charged with the following: - Two counts of assault - One count of uttering threats - One count of resisting a peace officer Sadler remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

Warning ⚠️ Scam Alert: We have been notified of a scam targeting people through text messages requesting they pay an overdue parking ticket. This is not the City, we do not notify the public of fines through texting, emailing or social media. More info ➡️ bit.ly/3GNdmOs

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning, a time to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to workplace injury and disease. Today, our flags are at half-staff in tribute to all workers who have lost their lives on the job, including our first responder partners who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the line of duty. We remember them and are thinking of all those affected.

Charges approved in armed robbery and flight from @TransitPoliceBC transitpolice.ca/news-posts/…

The third week of April marks Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, a time to raise awareness and take action against gender-based violence. Speak up, support survivors, and promote respect in your community. Together, we can make a difference. #ViolencePreventionWeek

#VPDNews: Charges have now been approved after a man was arrested for allegedly threatening a mother pushing a baby stroller during a walk on Tuesday morning. A mother and her 17-month-old baby were out for a walk near West Broadway and Blenheim Street on April 7 around 10:30 a.m. when a stranger grabbed her phone. When she held on to the phone, the man allegedly threatened her with a knife and attempted to push the stroller over. The mother was able to stop the stroller from falling, but the suspect got away with her phone. Witnesses in the area heard the mom yelling for help and jumped in to chase the suspect. They provided a description of the man, and within minutes patrol officers located and arrested a suspect. Ibrahim Omar, 37, has been charged with robbery and uttering threats. He is currently being held in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

#VPDNews: Vancouver Police arrest a man accused of robbing people of high-value Pokémon cards. Since March 23, Vancouver Police have responded to five incidents in which victims met with a man to sell Pokémon cards, usually through Facebook Marketplace, a seemingly straightforward transaction gone wrong. Some of the cards can be worth thousands of dollars. “The suspect would arrange to meet sellers in a public place and, instead of buying the cards, would allegedly use bear spray on the victims, steal the cards, and run off,” said VPD Staff Sergeant Ryan Campbell. On March 27, Vancouver Police communicated with the suspect online and arranged to sell him Pokémon cards. The suspect was arrested when he showed up. The investigation is ongoing. VPD major crime investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call 604-717-2541. “If you are planning on buying, selling, or trading items with someone you don’t know, use our Safe Exchange Location right outside the front door of our headquarters at 2120 Cambie Street,” said Constable Darren Wong, “It is well-lit and we have monitored security cameras.”

#VPDNews: Charges have been approved against a man who allegedly set a fire that shut down Nesters Market in the Downtown Eastside. At 5:00 p.m., on March 30, a man walked into Nesters Market at 333 Abbott Street. He’s alleged to have taken some items from the shelves then started a fire before leaving the store. District Five officers were very close by, saw the smoke and called for Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. After speaking with store security, officers believed the fire was intentional and linked to the theft. District Five officers tracked the suspect to a residence in Gastown where he was arrested. Nesters Market, the only grocery store in the neighbourhood, remains closed due to smoke fire and water damage. The cost of the damage is estimated in the hundreds of thousands. Victor Leslie Atkinson has been charged with arson and theft under $5000.