Board of Directors
President
Constable Chris Birkett
Vancouver Police Department
Chris began his career in law enforcement in 2012 when he was hired as a deputy sheriff with the BC Sheriff Service. During his time with the sheriffs, Chris became an acting sergeant and a Sheriff Academy instructor, training new recruits at the Justice Institute of BC. In 2018, Chris was hired by the Vancouver Police Department and has worked in a variety of roles, including patrol, the Planning, Research & Audit Section, and is currently working as a coordinator for the Body Worn Camera pilot project. Chris has a long history of volunteerism, including his role as a “Big Brother” for over 9 years. In 2017, Chris was awarded the Canada 150 Medal from the Senate of Canada and in 2021 he was named the Blue Line Magazine "Rookie of the Year", for his exceptional contribution to public service and volunteerism. Chris is honoured to have been selected as the inaugural president of the society, and is excited to continue building this worthwhile initiative.
Vice President
Detective Constable Bryan Watson
Vancouver Police Department
Bryan joined the Vancouver Police Department in 2016 and is currently working as a detective in the Robbery, Assault and Arson Unit. Bryan started his career with the VPD assigned to patrol, working in north-east Vancouver, and previously worked as the hate crimes investigator within the Diversity, Community, and Indigenous Relations Unit. In his previous career, Bryan managed hotels with Hyatt and Marriott. He enjoys mentoring youth and spent 17 years working with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets as a Reserve Officer of the Canadian Forces, Cadet Instructor Cadre. A goal of the Canadian Cadet Movement is to promote the foundation of good Canadian citizenship in its members. Bryan continues to uphold that value as he volunteers with Out On Patrol with the aim of promoting goodwill between the police and the 2SLGBTQ+community they serve.
Secretary
Detective Constable Victoria DeFoe
Vancouver Police Department
Victoria joined the Vancouver Police Department in 2018 and is currently working as a detective in the Sex Crimes Unit. Previously, Victoria worked as a patrol officer in the North East District of Vancouver. Prior to her career in policing, she worked closely with law enforcement as a dispatcher for the Surrey RCMP. Victoria has been an active lifelong volunteer with organizations like local Emergency Social Services, the Grandview-Woodland CPC and animal rights charities. She is excited to be a part of the very first Out on Patrol Board and looks forward to fostering strong collaborative relationships with the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Treasurer
Staff Sergeant Lorena Rostie
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Lorena has been a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for 17 years. With the RCMP Lorena has worked in general duty, economic crime, technological crime and is currently in review services for RCMP E Division. Lorena is from Saskatchewan and prior to becoming a police officer, Lorena worked for the Saskatchewan Department of Health in the area of Information Technology. Lorena’s interests include working out, hiking and mountain biking. Lorena has volunteered for various organizations over the years and looks forward to contributing as a board member of Out On Patrol!
Member At Large
Constable Connor Labossiere
Vancouver Police Department
Connor joined the Vancouver Police Department in 2017 and is currently assigned to the Forensic Identification Unit. Connor started his career with the VPD as a beat officer in the Downtown Eastside working with the most vulnerable and marginalized community. Prior to policing, Connor worked in the banking industry, quickly becoming one of the youngest promoted managers within the South Vancouver/Richmond area. Connor grew up in competitive gymnastics and cheerleading- both continued passions of his. He looks forward to not only building upon relationships within the 2SLGBTQ+ community he serves, but also strengthening working relationships across all departments.
Member At Large
Constable Lavanneya Pancharatnarajah
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Lavanneya joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2020 as a general duty officer in Kelowna, BC. She was recently transferred to the Special Victims unit at the Richmond detachment. Lavanneya is a gay Sri Lankan Tamil woman from Scarborough, Ontario. In her spare time, Lavanneya volunteers for the Queer South Asian Women’s Network, enjoys playing basketball, and trying new foods. She is excited to be on the board of Out on Patrol.
Member At Large
Constable Jace Rondario
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Jace has been a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 2017 and is currently posted in Richmond, BC. Jace had worked as a general duty officer, school liaison officer and is currently the coordinator for the newly formed Diversity and Inclusion Unit. As a non-binary person of colour, Jace is eager to represent Out On Patrol as a mentor and is looking forward to contribute and build relations between law enforcement and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Jace’s interests include paddle boarding, cycling and djing.
Archived Board Member Bios
Treasurer
Simon Authier LL.B.
Vancouver Police
Board member from 2021 to 2024
Simon joined the Vancouver Police Department in 2021 as a Legal Advisor. Prior to this, Simon worked as an agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in Surrey and as a Crown Attorney with the Manitoba Prosecution Service. Through those positions, Simon developed close relationships with various police agencies in order to ensure the proper administration of justice. Simon is originally from Quebec and enjoys working out, hiking and skiing. Simon is looking forward to contribute as a board member of Out On Patrol and help strengthening the relationship between the 2SLGBT+ community and law enforcement agencies.
Member At Large
Constable Felicity Cobb
West Vancouver Police
Founding Board Member to 2022
Felicity’s career in policing began in 2016 when she started volunteering with the Vancouver Police Department at the West End Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre. Shortly afterwards, Felicity was hired by the West Vancouver Police Department and has been a Constable with West Vancouver for 3 years. Felicity is not only proud to be working in the community in which she grew up, but also to be an openly gay female member and a representative for the 2SLGBTQ+ community within policing. In her free time, Felicity enjoys spending time with her partner and their 9-year-old daughter, gardening, cooking, going to the gym and cycling. Felicity has always been a passionate and involved member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and is excited to have the opportunity to connect and give back.
Vice President
Sergeant Julien Ponsioen
Metro Vancouver Transit Police
Founding Board Member to 2021
Julien Ponsioen is a member of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and currently works as a Neighbourhood Police Officer in the Downtown core. Prior to becoming a police officer, Julien worked as a Paramedic and Supervisor for the BC Emergency Health Services.
Julien has volunteered his time helping raise money for Children who are fighting Cancer through the Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast. Since being a part of the Tour, Julien has helped raise over 5.5 million dollars for Paediatric Cancer and Camp Goodtimes.
In his spare time, Julien enjoys being out on his sailboat and exploring BC’s amazing coastline.
Member At Large
Constable Brittany Eaton
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Founding Board Member to 2021
Brittany joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2015. She was first posted to Red Deer, Alberta and transferred to Surrey in 2017 where she currently works in a specialized tactical unit. Brittany has a passion to help the communities she serves with a focus on ending Violence against Women and Girls. In 2014, she attended Parliament Hill in Ottawa and delivered a speech for YWCA Canada to launch their annual Rose Campaign. Brittany is excited for her role with Out on Patrol and believes that this is a perfect opportunity towards rebuilding and harmonizing police-public relations especially within the LGBTQIA2+ community.
Member At Large
Constable Tyson Radons
Vancouver Police Department
Founding Board Member to 2021
Welcome to Out in Patrol! As a member of the Vancouver Police Officer for over 11 years I am so proud to be a part of this incredible society. In 2009, I began my career with Vancouver as one of only 2 openly gay male members of the department at that time. I have worked in general patrol in Downtown Vancouver, Southwest Vancouver and in the Downtown East Side. Off the side of my desk I am a Crisis Negotiator part of the Emergency Response Team. In all aspects of my profession I uphold “community” as a central tenet to how we as officers should value our role in serving our cities. I believe what we have with Out on Patrol is a chance for LGBTQIA2+ peace officers to come together as a community to support one another, help citizens recognize they are represented in law enforcement and function as agents of positive change every day. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at one of our upcoming events!