Vancouver, Wash. – On December 8, 2021, Vancouver Police began the testing and evaluation (T&E) process with a camera vendor to evaluate their platform for body and in-car cameras.  Ten officers were equipped with body cameras and six vehicles were equipped with a dash and rear passenger area camera. The department initially allotted 60 days for the T&E with the vendor. 

On December 29, 2021, the Project Manager, in cooperation with the testing committee, determined that the group had collected sufficient data to evaluate this vendor. The Request For Proposal (RFP) committee, which includes two community representatives, met to review the T&E report and the decision was made to conclude the T&E for this vendor and issue a new request for proposal (RFP), which will include modified requirements based on the information learned from the recent T&E process. All equipment was disconnected and packaged for return to the vendor on December 29, 2021. 

On January 9, 2022, four Vancouver Police Officers were in an officer involved shooting. None of the involved officers had been part of the camera T&E testing group and none of their vehicles had been outfitted with cameras. 

“We recognize that proposal and testing processes take time, but these are vitally important steps to help the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Police Department identify and implement the right camera platform with the necessary features, functionalities and support to meet the needs and expectations of the department and community,” said Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain.  “Although we are eager to get a system in place as soon as possible, we need to ensure that we are making the right choice and not just the fast choice.”

For more information on the Vancouver Police Department camera project visit: Vancouver Police Camera Study | City of Vancouver, Washington, USA

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Vancouver, Wash. – On January 9, 2022 at approximately 12:25 a.m., Vancouver Police responded to a call of a disturbance with a weapon at a residence in the 13200 block of NE 59^th Street. The resident reported there was a male acquaintance inside the home who was armed with knives. The caller and several other individuals, including two children, had locked themselves inside their bedrooms and called 9-1-1. It was believed the suspect had started a fire inside the home.  When police arrived, the individuals inside the home were able to safely escape through windows. Police did smell something burning. The suspect was outside the home and confronted officers with a knife. Officers attempted to deescalate the situation by deploying a Less Lethal 40 mm device, but unfortunately the officers had to deploy their firearms to stop the suspect from harming anyone.  The suspect was transported to an area hospital but did not survive. 

Four Vancouver Police officers were involved, including one officer who deployed the Less Lethal device. All four involved officers have been placed on Critical Incident Leave per standard protocol. 

The SW Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIR), led by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the officer involved shooting. All further information related to this incident will be sent via the SWIIR. 

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Vancouver Police Department investigating a string of armed robberies (Photo) – 01/06/22

On 01-06-2022 at approximately 8:35 AM multiple Vancouver Police patrol units were dispatched to radio call of “Robbery Just Occurred” in the vicinity of “Grand Central” Fred Meyer department store, 2500 Columbia House Blvd.

Further investigation revealed that a customer was robbed at gunpoint by an unknown suspect in the front parking lot of the store.

The suspect pulled up to the victim, displayed a handgun, and demanded the victim’s purse.  Once the suspect took possession of the victim’s purse, he fled the location in his vehicle.

The suspect’s vehicle was a red Sports Utility Vehicle, possibly a Honda “Pilot” with no license plates displayed.

The suspect was described as an adult male in his 30s or 40s, wearing a yellow jacket and a red mask on his face.

The victim was not injured in this incident.

This robbery appears to be related to other similar incidents that had occurred in Vancouver earlier this morning (both in the city and within jurisdiction of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office).

Citizens with any information related to these incidents are urged to call “911” and ask to be transferred to the Clark County (WA) police dispatch center.  

The suspect appeared to be armed with a firearm, so extreme caution should be used if the vehicle and / or suspect are spotted in the area.  

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VPD seeks missing 87 year old man (Photo) – 12/17/21

Leland Robertson was located safe by Washington State Patrol following a tip and is being reunited with family.

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VPD seeks missing endangered child (Photo) UPDATED – 12/13/21

Richard has been located safely and returned to his family. 

The police are asking for assistance in locating 12 year old Richard Gran. Richard is described as a white male, 5’0, 100 lbs, brown hair and is autistic. The photo attached shows him with blonde hair, however it is closer to his natural brown hair. Richard wears glasses and was last seen walking from the mall area towards a school in the Felida area. He was last observed wearing a blue jacket over a bright blue and white hoody with gray sweatpants. If located, call 911.