SAANICH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SAANICH POLICE ASSOCIATION PARTNER WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA FOR ENHANCED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Wounded Warriors Canada is excited to announce a partnership with the Saanich Police Department (SPD) and Saanich Police Association (SPA) aimed at delivering innovative mental health training and counselling services to Saanich Police officers and their families. This partnership formalizes a long term working relationship that has been built off of the important work the organizations have collaborated on following the BMO incident in 2022.
“Wounded Warriors Canada has been a trusted and vital partner, providing the Saanich Police with tremendous support and resources over the years. Our officers have greatly benefited from their programs addressing PTSD and developing trauma resiliency, as well as from the addition of Beacon our amazing operational stress intervention dog. The programs and support they offer are incredibly important in policing, and we look forward to seeing this partnership grow.” – Chief Constable Dean Duthie, Saanich Police Department.
“Since the incident in 2022, we have been working alongside the team at Saanich Police Department to provide mental health counselling support, combined with the pairing of Operational Stress Intervention Dog, Beacon. Given this important work we’ve done together, we felt this was the right time to announce a partnership with Saanich Police Department that will formally add our mental health services as part of the suite of wellness offerings available to SPD and SPA members and their families.” – Scott Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer, Wounded Warriors Canada.
“The Saanich Police Association greatly appreciates the support that Wounded Warriors Canada offers our membership, and to all Trauma Exposed Professionals. We are proud to be part of this growing partnership and are confident the programs delivered by Wounded Warriors Canada will continue to be of significant value to all SPA members.” – Sgt. Mark Hendren, Vice President, Saanich Police Association.
In 2023, Wounded Warriors Canada donated Operational Stress Intervention Dog Beacon to the Saanich Police Department. Beacon joined SPD in an ongoing effort to support staff in the aftermath of critical incidents and to minimize occupational stress injuries.