The Victoria Police Department has a new man in charge in Esquimalt.
Insp. Colin Watson replaces Insp. Keith Lindner as head of the VicPD’s Esquimalt Division.
Watson, 42, is an 18-year veteran of the force.
As the officer in charge of the Esquimalt Division, Watson wants to focus on community and stakeholder engagement as part of an overall community policing approach, he said.
A major focus of the Esquimalt Division’s policing efforts will be the areas of priority as identified by Esquimalt residents in the recent VicPD Community Survey. Those areas include the reduction of drug activity, traffic safety issues, security of homes and businesses and the reduction of violent crime.
“I am really impressed by the sense of community in Esquimalt. So far everyone has been very receptive,” Watson said.
VicPD Chief Const. Frank Elsner said Watson represents the new breed of police officer.
“He’s very well-educated, well-rounded, but most imporatnt he understands what policing is about today. It’s about our communities, it’s about listening to our communities and reacting to what you want and what you need from your police,” Elsner said.
Along as being Esquimalt’s top cop, Watson is also a Boys and Girls Club board member abd coaches Little League baseball.
He’s married and has a daughter.
Meanwhile, Lindner is leaving Esquimalt after three years to head up VicPD’s detective branch.