A new police dispatch centre, meant to enhance public safety in the Capital Regional District, will open its doors in 2019.
The dispatch centre will house police call-taking and dispatch for Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich and Oak Bay police departments, as well as all local RCMP detachments. The centre will be the first point of contact for 911 calls on South Vancouver Island.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris said consolidating dispatch services has many advantages, including improving coordination between police agencies so they can better respond to large emergencies that cross municipal boundaries.
The project was spearheaded by the South Island Police Dispatch Steering Committee, which is composed of police chiefs from Central Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria, RCMP representatives, the province, the CRD and E-Comm.
Construction will begin on the new CRD-owned facility, located at 4219 Commerce Circle in Saanich, later this year and is expected to be operational by early 2019.
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