Greater Victoria Area Police Chiefs (episode 3 of 5) - Superintendent Todd Preston - Westshore RCMP Artwork

True Blue Podcast

Go behind the scenes with members from the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU). A long format podcast giving you an in depth glimpse into lives of police officers working in Esquimalt and Victoria. You won't find content like this anywhere else and you will hear regular interviews from a diverse group of VCPU members telling their stories.

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True Blue Podcast

Greater Victoria Area Police Chiefs (episode 3 of 5) - Superintendent Todd Preston - Westshore RCMP

September 12, 2025 • Matt Waterman/Todd Mason • Season 5 • Episode 10

It was great to chat with Todd before his retirement from his RCMP career which started over 28 years ago. After graduating from Depot, the RCMP sent him to Alberta as a young officer. In fact, he was so young that the Mounties sent him to work as an undercover operator because of those young looks! His career continued in the Yukon and throughout BC for a few years before his promotion to Sergeant which landed him in the Westshore Detachment. He had a few short-term jobs within the E Division office in Victoria before returning as Detachment Commander in Westshore.

Todd’s current position as “police chief” is one of the most complex in Canada, specifically he reports to 7 different governing bodies. (5 municipalities and 2 first nations) The Detachment strength is 125 members and becoming busier every year. They provide members with good work options both locally and to Nunavut in an officer exchange program that is unique in the RCMP.

We take time to chat about important things police do in his community and Todd makes a point to shout out Cole Brewer for his hard work with so many SD62 students. We reflected on the death of Constable Sarah Beckett (Todd was her former Watch Commander) and how thankful he was to have the community support his members and Sarah’s family over the years. It sounds like the Detachment is in good spirits and is ready to step up to the next challenges.

Todd will be building homes in retirement so give him a call if you need those services: https://www.qualisbuilders.ca/

Episode 4: Chief Dean Duthie – Saanich Police Department 19 Sep 2025

Episode 5: Chief Del Manak – Victoria Police Department 26 Sep 2025

Sound editing done by Todd Mason.

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