FRONT-LINE
NEGOTIATOR

Deputy Chief Robert Warren (Retired) is critical incident leadership specialist with more than two decades of operational and command experience in policing. Over his 24-year career with the Saanich Police Department, he held senior roles in front-line operations, major crime investigations, and the oversight of several integrated regional units, including the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT), Integrated Canine Service (ICS), and the Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit (GVPSU). His work has centred on leading teams in high-risk, high-consequence environments and developing the organizational systems that support effective crisis response and officer wellbeing.

From 2009 to 2016, Robert served as the GVERT Crisis Negotiation Team Leader, where he led operational deployments and introduced a series of modernization initiatives that strengthened team readiness including updated CNT deployment standards, the adoption of new negotiation technologies, and the integration of mental health professionals into critical incident response. In 2018, he obtained his Critical Incident Commander accreditation through the Canadian Police College and subsequently spent four years providing operational leadership to the GVERT. He later completed Public Order Gold Commander training through the UK College of Policing and served in that capacity with the GVPSU until his retirement in 2025.

Prior to policing, Robert served as an Artillery Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and worked as a secondary school teacher. He holds a B.A. in Military and Strategic Studies from Royal Roads Military College and an MPA from the University of Victoria, and he has taught as an adjunct instructor at the Justice Institute of British Columbia and Dalhousie University. He is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal for lifesaving as a crisis negotiator and the King Charles III Coronation Medal for outstanding service to Canada.

Inspector Sean Pollock (retired) served with the Winnipeg Police Service for 24 years and, during the course of his career, worked in patrol, community support, specialized investigations, traffic, and the training division. He was promoted to Inspector in 2022 and served as the Divisional Commander of the Operational Support Division (special operations), the Records and Reports Management Division, and Special Projects. Inspector Pollock joined the Crisis Negotiation Unit in 2011 and, over his 11 years with the unit - including 7 years as team coordinator- was deployed to a variety of crisis incidents, including suicidal individuals, barricaded subjects, and high-risk warrants. Inspector Pollock completed his Critical Incident Commander training at the Canadian Police College and was an adjunct faculty member there until his retirement.

He is currently a member of the instructing cadre for the National Tactical Officers Association and recently published his first book, "Answering the Call: Lessons Learned as a Crisis Negotiator". Inspector Pollock has presented on Crisis Negotiation topics across North America at conferences and seminars, and was a guest instructor at the Police Scotland national negotiator course. He was recognized for his law enforcement work by the Province of Manitoba, receiving the Excellence in Law Enforcement Award in 2012.