Saanich Police Historical Society

Saanich Police Historical Society Preserving and sharing the history of policing in Saanich and connected communities. A registered charity. Graham Walker.

The Saanich Police Historical Society was established in August 2000 through the joint efforts and vision of both serving and retired members. It is a registered non-profit organization in British Columbia, and a registered charity under the Income Tax Act. The mission of the society is to preserve and share history of policing in Saanich and connected communities through the procurement and displ

ay of museum items and public outreach. The Saanich Police were formed in 1906 at the request of local residents. In the beginning it was just one Constable riding alone on horseback, sometimes for days. At that time Central Saanich and Saanich were one municipality and it was a huge area. As the community grew and prospered so the Saanich Police grew to meet the needs of the people it serves. Soon horses gave way to Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles, and they in turn to model-T Fords. If you have any old photos or artifacts related to the history of the Saanich Police, and would like to donate or share them in-trust with the Historical Society, then please give us a call at 250-475-4321 and leave a message for Cst. The policing of Saanich has always been a community partnership and we hope that preserving our history will be as well.

06/20/2026
Our cars are on display today during the English Car Club Show at thanks to volunteers from who will also be on hand t...
05/31/2026

Our cars are on display today during the English Car Club Show at thanks to volunteers from who will also be on hand to show you our police station museum exhibit. Show is on until 2pm today, Sunday May 31st.

The current and Saanich Fire Department headquarters originally opened on August 3, 1962While many renovations and addi...
02/08/2026

The current and Saanich Fire Department headquarters originally opened on August 3, 1962

While many renovations and additions have altered the building over the years, the first being as early as 1970, most of the original building remains. One can still see the brass fire poles and cell bars that were proudly unveiled in a ceremony which included a ribbon cutting. The "police court", however is no longer there and the courtroom is home to the Community Engagement Division.

The Victoria Daily Times reported:

"Dignitaries stood in drizzling rain Friday afternoon as the new Saanich police and fire building was officially opened.

"George Chatterton, member of parliament for Esquimalt. Saanich, cut the ribbon across the main doors of the $300,000 building as reeves, mayors, aldermen, police chiefs and magistrates watched from the broad terrace of the modern building.

""This is just one of the steps that will be taken to move the municipality forward," he said

"Traditional brass poles for firemen untraditionally padded at the bottom with foam rubber contrast with teak-panelled offices and the latest thing in cells.

"Alarm room has the only automatic tape-recording sys tem west of Winnipeg, a device which records all emergency phone or radio calls on wee a non-erasable belt recording.

"Outlying-departments are connected by an electronic system to the central alarm room.

Photos courtesy District of Saanich Archives,

12/17/2025

In 1973, a routine call turned into a life-threatening confrontation, and former Auxiliary Constable Graeme Henderson stepped in, saving a fellow officer’s life. More than 50 years later, his heroic actions have been recognized with the Chief Constable’s Citizen’s Award of Valour.
More info: https://ow.ly/g1sq50XKBpn

Address

760 Vernon Avenue
Saanich, BC
V8X2W6

Telephone

2504754321

Website

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