The Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Taurus Unit 298, often called the Taurus Club, has a close relationship with the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Police Foundation, and we are pleased to showcase their community involvement.
The club was founded in 1948 by Vancouver Police Officer Ray Slattery, who also served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His aim was to start a social club for VPD members who were also military veterans. A clubhouse was built on a parcel of land at East 23rd and Main Street in Vancouver, and the land continues to be owned by the Taurus Club today.
Last year, the Taurus Club made the decision to transfer that land to the Vancouver Police Foundation to show its continued commitment to the VPD, and to ensure that the club can continue its community outreach in the future.
The club is also active in the community through contributions to housing in the Downtown Eastside for veterans and other residents of the neighbourhood. They also support two residential facilities for veterans: the George Derby Centre in Burnaby and the Brock Fahrni Pavilion in Vancouver.
In January, the Taurus Club was honoured with the Special Chief Constable’s Citation, which has only been handed out once before, and recognizes outstanding commitment to civic duty.
“I felt both pride and a sense of sentimentality when I presented the Chief Citation award to the retired VPD officers who have taken care of the club for the last few decades,” says VPD Chief Constable Jim Chu. “Almost all of them were senior police officers that I looked up to and respected greatly when I was a new police officer.”
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall under one of four pillars: Youth Programs, Mental Health & Addictions, Community Outreach & Engagement, and Technology & Special Equipment. You can help build a safer Vancouver by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
