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Police officers vs authorized strength

Area: Victoria and Esquimalt police area 2025 (yearly snapshot)

253 officers

In 2 yearsSteady+0.8%, within ±5%
In 4 years Rising+11.5% since 2021
Against authorized strength (260 officers)7 positions unfilled

Authorized strength: officer positions set through the police budget (260 in 2025). Targets and comparisons

Source: Statistics Canada. We read it on Nov 11, 2026.

Check this numberOpen the agency’s table (agency site)

Over time

Time range

Police officers and authorized positions

2025 Officers, by year

  • Authorized positions 260
  • Officers working 253
Line chart of 2 lines, 4 periods from 2021 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 249 officers (2021), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 249 officers (2021). Officers working: starts at 227 officers (2021), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.22024026020252022City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 4 periods from 2021 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 249 officers (2021), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 249 officers (2021). Officers working: starts at 227 officers (2021), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.2202402602025202320222021City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 4 periods from 2021 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 249 officers (2021), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 249 officers (2021). Officers working: starts at 227 officers (2021), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.2202402602025202320222021City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorizedpositions 260Officersworking 2532021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 4 periods from 2021 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 249 officers (2021), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 249 officers (2021). Officers working: starts at 227 officers (2021), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.2202402602025202320222021City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorized positions260Officers working 2532021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers

Tap or drag on the chart to read any year. The scale starts at 220 (not zero), so the changes look larger than they would on a scale from zero. Spacing follows the calendar, so years without a figure show as wider gaps.

M municipal election: Oct 15, 2022P provincial election: Oct 19, 2024

About these ticks

Police officers and authorized positions

2025 Officers, by year

  • Authorized positions 260
  • Officers working 253
Line chart of 2 lines, 9 periods from 2015 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 243 officers (2015). Officers working: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.220240260202520212017Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 9 periods from 2015 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 243 officers (2015). Officers working: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.220240260202520212017Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 9 periods from 2015 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 243 officers (2015). Officers working: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.22024026020252022201920172015Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorizedpositions 260Officersworking 2532015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 9 periods from 2015 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 243 officers (2015). Officers working: starts at 243 officers (2015), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 227 officers (2021). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.22024026020252022201920172015Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorized positions260Officers working 2532015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers

Tap or drag on the chart to read any year. The scale starts at 220 (not zero), so the changes look larger than they would on a scale from zero. Spacing follows the calendar, so years without a figure show as wider gaps.

M municipal election: Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022P provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024

About these ticks

Police officers and authorized positions

2025 Officers, by year

  • Authorized positions 260
  • Officers working 253
Line chart of 2 lines, 19 periods from 2005 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 214 officers (2005), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 214 officers (2005). Officers working: starts at 220 officers (2005), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 215 officers (2006). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.0100200300202520162009Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 19 periods from 2005 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 214 officers (2005), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 214 officers (2005). Officers working: starts at 220 officers (2005), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 215 officers (2006). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.01002003002025201820132008Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 19 periods from 2005 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 214 officers (2005), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 214 officers (2005). Officers working: starts at 220 officers (2005), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 215 officers (2006). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.010020030020252019201520112007Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorizedpositions 260Officersworking 2532005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 19 periods from 2005 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 214 officers (2005), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 214 officers (2005). Officers working: starts at 220 officers (2005), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 215 officers (2006). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.01002003002025202120172014201120082005Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorized positions260Officers working 2532005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers

Tap or drag on the chart to read any year. Spacing follows the calendar, so years without a figure show as wider gaps.

M municipal election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022P provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024Local elections before 2011 are not marked.

About these ticks

Police officers and authorized positions

2025 Officers, by year

  • Authorized positions 260
  • Officers working 253
Line chart of 2 lines, 21 periods from 2003 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 184 officers (2003), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 184 officers (2003). Officers working: starts at 189 officers (2003), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 189 officers (2003). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.0100200300202520152007Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242003: Authorized positions: 184 officers; Officers working: 189 officers2004: Authorized positions: 211 officers; Officers working: 211 officers2005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 21 periods from 2003 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 184 officers (2003), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 184 officers (2003). Officers working: starts at 189 officers (2003), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 189 officers (2003). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.01002003002025201720112005Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 20242003: Authorized positions: 184 officers; Officers working: 189 officers2004: Authorized positions: 211 officers; Officers working: 211 officers2005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 21 periods from 2003 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 184 officers (2003), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 184 officers (2003). Officers working: starts at 189 officers (2003), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 189 officers (2003). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.0100200300202520192015201120072003Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorizedpositions 260Officersworking 2532003: Authorized positions: 184 officers; Officers working: 189 officers2004: Authorized positions: 211 officers; Officers working: 211 officers2005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers
Line chart of 2 lines, 21 periods from 2003 to 2025. Authorized positions: starts at 184 officers (2003), ends at 260 officers (2025); highest 260 officers (2025), lowest 184 officers (2003). Officers working: starts at 189 officers (2003), ends at 253 officers (2025); highest 253 officers (2025), lowest 189 officers (2003). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: City election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022; Provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024. Every value is in the table.01002003002025202120172014201120082005Provincial election, May 17, 2005Provincial election, May 12, 2009City election, Nov 19, 2011Provincial election, May 14, 2013City election, Nov 15, 2014Provincial election, May 9, 2017City election, Oct 20, 2018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020City election, Oct 15, 2022Provincial election, Oct 19, 2024Authorized positions260Officers working 2532003: Authorized positions: 184 officers; Officers working: 189 officers2004: Authorized positions: 211 officers; Officers working: 211 officers2005: Authorized positions: 214 officers; Officers working: 220 officers2006: Authorized positions: 215 officers; Officers working: 215 officers2007: Authorized positions: 221 officers; Officers working: 224 officers2008: Authorized positions: 222 officers; Officers working: 225 officers2009: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 242 officers2010: Authorized positions: 241 officers; Officers working: 241 officers2011: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2012: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2013: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2014: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2015: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2016: Authorized positions: 243 officers; Officers working: 243 officers2017: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 244 officers2018: Authorized positions: 245 officers; Officers working: 239 officers2019: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 238 officers2021: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 227 officers2022: Authorized positions: 249 officers; Officers working: 234 officers2023: Authorized positions: 255 officers; Officers working: 251 officers2025: Authorized positions: 260 officers; Officers working: 253 officers

Tap or drag on the chart to read any year. Spacing follows the calendar, so years without a figure show as wider gaps.

M municipal election: Nov 19, 2011; Nov 15, 2014; Oct 20, 2018; Oct 15, 2022P provincial election: May 17, 2005; May 12, 2009; May 14, 2013; May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020; Oct 19, 2024Local elections before 2011 are not marked.

About these ticks

Targets and comparisons

Authorized strength (set through the police budget)

Below authorized strength. 253 officers working against 260 authorized positions. This page takes no position on how many officers there should be.

Authorized strength: 260 officers, set by the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board. Police personnel and selected crime statistics, municipal police services (table 35-10-0077-01).

How targets are chosen

Show the numbers as a table
Police officers and authorized positions (newest first)
PeriodAuthorized positionsOfficers working
2025260253
2023255251
2022249234
2021249227
2019249238
2018245239
2017245244
2016243243
2015243243
2014243243
2013243243
2012243243
2011243243
2010241241
2009241242
2008222225
2007221224
2006215215
2005214220
2004211211
2003184189

How it compares

Statistics Canada, 2025, officers. Comparisons are not goals.

Authorized positions260Officers working253Authorized260

Who decides

Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board. Oversees the Victoria Police Department, appoints its chief constable and prepares its budget. Police Act, s. 26

Show the 2 other bodies and the laws
Who decides what: Police officers vs authorized strength
BodyWhat it decidesLaw or bylawLast decisionNext decision
Victoria and Esquimalt Police BoardOversees the Victoria Police Department, appoints its chief constable and prepares its budget.Police Act, s. 26
Police Act, s. 27		Provisional budget due to the councils by November 30, 2026 (Police Act, s. 27)
Victoria and Esquimalt councilsApprove the police board’s budget. If they reject an item, either side can ask the Province to decide.Police Act, s. 27
Police Act, s. 27 (3)
Province of B.C.Sets standards for policing.Police Act, s. 40

Councils: last general local election October 17, 2026; next on October 19, 2030, the third Saturday of October set by the Local Government Act, s. 52. Province: last general election October 19, 2024; next set for October 21, 2028 unless called earlier (Constitution Act, s. 23).

Each row says what a body decides and links to the law, order or bylaw that gives it that role. It does not say who caused a change: markets, households and other governments also move these numbers. Who decides what, for every measure · How we choose

What this number does not show

  • Officers and authorized strength are a yearly snapshot reported by the police service to Statistics Canada. Officers on leave may still be counted.
Two more limits
  • Authorized strength is set through the police budget, approved by the police board and the two municipal councils (with a provincial process for disputes).
  • A better measure would be: Response-time percentiles against the department's targets, as a file. Not published as data. Not asked for yet.

Not measured yet in safety: response times: fire and bylaw, police response times, crime that is never reported and more. See all 17 gaps

In plain words

Up 0.8% since 2023. Up 11% since 2021.

The number of police officers working in the Victoria police service on the survey date, compared with the number of positions authorized in its budget.

How we decide “Steady this year. Rising over 4 years.”

This site takes no position on how many officers there should be. The change is 0.8% of the earlier value, below the 5% threshold. Over 4 years (since 2021) the change is 11.5% of the earlier value, at or above the 5% threshold, so the label also says Rising over 4 years.

253 officers against 260 authorized positions in 2025, a gap of 7. In 2023: 251 of 255 (gap 4). Officers per 100,000 residents: 207.1 in 2025, 245.6 in 2011. Population served: 122,158.

Outcome measures read Better, Worse or About the same; published government targets read Ahead of, On or Behind target; value-judgement measures read Rising, Falling or Steady in a neutral colour. A change smaller than the agency's own margin of error, or otherwise smaller than 5% of the earlier value, is About the same (or Steady). No change is calculated across a marked break in a series. The rule.

All notes on this number

Why it matters. A gap between authorized and actual officers can affect response and workload. It is shown for context, without a better-or-worse label.

  • Officers and authorized strength are a yearly snapshot reported by the police service to Statistics Canada. Officers on leave may still be counted.
  • Authorized strength is set through the police budget, approved by the police board and the two municipal councils (with a provincial process for disputes).
  • The service polices both the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt.
  • Statistics Canada has not published values for 2020, 2024, so those years are missing from the chart.
  • The chart starts in 2003, when the service began policing Esquimalt (population served 77,382 in 2002, 94,312 in 2003, Statistics Canada table 35-10-0077-01). Earlier years covered a smaller area and are not shown.

A better measure

What
Response-time percentiles against the department's targets, as a file
Who could publish it
Victoria Police Department
Status
Not published as data. Not asked for yet.

This page uses the best public number we found. Data requests

Which places

Area: Victoria and Esquimalt police area

The area served by the Victoria Police Department: the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt together.

Included

  • City of Victoria
  • Township of Esquimalt (also policed by the Victoria Police Department, under an agreement with the Province)

Not included

  • Saanich, Oak Bay, Central Saanich and the West Shore, which have their own police services or RCMP detachments
  • Crime statistics are published separately for the City of Victoria and for Esquimalt from 2020 on

Official definition

How the agency describes it: Victoria municipal police service area (City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt).

How we got it

This number is published by the agency as shown; it is not calculated here. The script reads it from the agency’s own file.

Licence and credits

Published under an open licence: anyone may reuse it with credit. About licences.

Updated by agency
Annually; latest release Aug 5, 2026
Retrieved
Nov 11, 2026, 6:29 PM B.C. time

Adapted from Statistics Canada, table 35-10-0077-01. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.

Inputs and results

What this pays for, or what goes into it

Inputs are money, staff or decisions; results are what services delivered. One does not prove the other moved. Kinds of measure

Results this pays for

Related measures

Spot a mistake?

Email [email protected]. Fixes are listed in the corrections log.