Del Manak, who will be honoured Aug. 27, has spent close to a decade as Victoria’s chief constable
Victoria’s outgoing police chief is getting a nod from the city for his contributions to the community as he prepares to leave the job next month.
The city is proclaiming Aug. 27 as Del Manak Day — the last day Chief Del Manak will be in command of the city’s police force before Fiona Wilson officially takes over.
Wilson, one of three deputy chiefs at the Vancouver Police Department, will become chief constable at VicPD on Aug. 15.
Manak spent close to a decade as Victoria’s chief constable and was a police officer for 35 years.
He was given a standing ovation after he wrapped up his final presentation to council on Thursday.
“Del Manak has dedicated a lifetime of service to VicPD and its officers, the community and its residents, all while making Victoria a safe and more welcoming city,” said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto.
Manak said it’s been “a humbling experience” to lead the city’s police force. “This is a tremendous honour.”
Manak quipped that he’ll hang the plaque up in his home in hopes his wife will see it and let him off dishwasher-loading duties on Aug. 27.
Manak was the first chief hired from within the ranks in 26 years when he was appointed to the position in 2017.
Born and raised in Victoria, Manak attended George Jay and Central Middle schools before graduating from Mount Douglas Senior Secondary.
He worked as a police officer in Vancouver for four years before he was hired at VicPD.
Over the years, Manak worked in the department’s traffic section, ran the patrol division and was an officer in charge of human resources before becoming interim chief in December 2015.
The three police chiefs prior to Manak’s tenure who left VicPD amid controversy did not receive similar honours from the city.
Frank Elsner, who resigned in 2017, was later found to have committed eight acts of misconduct as a police officer; Jamie Graham, who left the job in 2013, was twice found guilty of misconduct; and Paul Battershill was forced to resign from the job in 2008 when he was accused of having an affair with a police board lawyer.
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