Series S1 - Saanich Police Organization of Teens

The Saanich Police Department was established in 1906.

During the fall of 1967, a Saanich Police officer assigned to the night shift noted teenagers with "nothing to do" congregating in various locations and often getting into trouble or causing mischief as a result. The concerned member approached personnel assigned to the Department's Traffic Safety and Education Branch, and the three Constables from the branch discussed the issue. It was their feeling that some form of teen club was in order and after receiving support from former Chief W.A. Pearson, the local school board, and the Police Officers' Association, notices were sent to the nine junior and senior secondary schools in the Municipality requesting that two student representatives from each school attend a meeting at the Saanich Police Station to discuss the idea further.

This first meeting was held on January 12, 1968, in the Saanich Police courtroom with 22 young people present. After the police officers briefly outlined the purposes of the club -- to provide youth activity and community service -- the students soon took the lead, electing their own Executive, consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian, with the remainder of the representatives forming a Council. The name of the organization, S.P.O.T. (Saanich Police Organization of Teens) was contributed by Cathy Munro, first President of the Club.

The Council continued to meet weekly with its Police sponsors at the Saanich Police Station and planned numerous youth activity and community service programs as well as charitable donations. S.P.O.T.'s activities included a popular monthly dance held in one of the local schools and which drew an average attendance of 500-800 students; and an annual queen contest. In addition to social activities, S.P.O.T. donated money and provided support to local charities and organizations including the United Appeal, Unitarian Service Committee, March of Dimes, B.C. Heart Fund, the Salvation Army, Queen Alexandra Solarium, Santa's Anonymous, and others. Members also visited hospitals and seniors' care facilities. All of S.P.O.T.'s activities were supervised by volunteers from the Saanich Police Department.