VPD Chief Constable's Citation: Project Spike
Channel: Vancouver Police Department
Date: 2019-03-15

Criminal investigations can take time, but a group of Vancouver Police investigators did not let that affect their determination to put two dangerous predators in jail and find justice for their victims.

The men stood accused of drugging and raping multiple women. None of the victims had any memory of the crimes, so investigators used technological, biological, and other more complex techniques to piece together the events and build their case. In some of the cases, the women were not aware they had been victims.

For five years, the investigators viewed thousands of unsettling videos and photographs, painstakingly and thoroughly examined the minutest of details, took detailed statements, processed more than 500 exhibits, analyzed records and computer data, and offered expert testimony in court. They did everything within their power to ensure the victims were supported through a long and difficult court case.

Despite multiple legal challenges and delays, the two men were eventually convicted of 18 out of 21 of the charges they faced, which involved four victims.

For handling a lengthy, sensitive, and extremely disturbing case with professionalism, compassion, and unprecedented commitment, the following officers were awarded the Chief Constable’s Citation: Staff Sergeant Lisa Byrne, Sergeant Raj Mander, Detective Constables Astrid Bonter, Robert Mitchelson, Andrea Sherry, and Jennifer White, Constables Darren Bayne, Jennifer Jarvis, John Pyper, Bryan Spencer, and Tracy Stables, and Crime Analyst Linh Riddick.