About West Shore RCMP

Welcome to the West Shore RCMP Detachment Website.

West Shore RCMP Detachment is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in the City of Langford, a western suburb of Victoria, British Columbia. The West Shore Detachment is responsible for policing five municipalities and two First Nation communities. The approximate population of the Western Shore area is 78,000 and growing. It is estimated that by 2026 the population of this area will double. The communities served by the West Shore Detachment are expanding faster than any other area in Greater Victoria, both residentially and commercially.

Communities of West Shore RCMP are:

• City of Langford
• City of Colwood
• Town of View Royal
• District of Metchosin
• District of Highlands
• Songhees First Nation
• Esquimalt First Nation

Message from the Officer in Charge:

It is both an honour and a privilege to assume the role of Officer in Charge of the West Shore RCMP. I am grateful to follow Superintendent Todd Preston, whose leadership and dedication to public safety have left a strong foundation for our detachment. 

I join the West Shore RCMP with nearly two decades of service in the RCMP, having had the opportunity to serve and lead in diverse communities across British Columbia. These experiences have shaped my collaborative approach to policing and my commitment to accountability, innovation, and community engagement. 

West Shore RCMP operates under an integrated policing model that brings together five municipalities and two Indigenous Nations. This model allows for the seamless sharing of resources, expertise, and specialized services across jurisdictions, ensuring all communities benefit from consistent, high-quality policing. 

Through integration, we can deploy specialized units and subject-matter experts where they are needed most, increasing efficiency and responsiveness. It is also a cost-effective approach, allowing partner communities to maximize the value of their policing investment while maintaining access to a broad range of specialized capabilities. 

By working together, our integrated approach enhances public safety outcomes while respecting the unique needs and priorities of each community we serve. West Shore remains one of the fastest growing regions in British Columbia. This growth brings opportunity, but it also presents increasing demands on policing services. Ensuring our policing resources keep pace with population growth is a priority.

Our ability to deliver effective policing services is also directly tied to our infrastructure. The West Shore RCMP detachment currently operates out of two joint buildings—one constructed in the 1960s and the other in 1999—and we have reached capacity. We are engaged in ongoing discussions with our municipal partners regarding the construction of a new, modern detachment on the same site. This projected three-year build is critical to supporting our growing workforce, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of West Shore residents well into the future.

Maintaining a responsive, visible and effective police service in the West Shore is my priority.  I will focus on strengthening our police service by increasing the number of officers and investing in specialized police services to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Terry Gillespie
Officer in Charge
West Shore RCMP