Carrying the Weight: A Conversation with Sgt. Chris Voller

In this powerful episode, host Christian Lane sits down with RCMP Sergeant and National Police Federation Board Director Chris Voller to explore the weight police officers carry—on the job, in their hearts, and within the system they serve. Voller reflects on multiple officer-involved shootings during his tenure, his father’s legacy as an officer involved in a tragic 1998 incident, and the human cost of systemic inaction in mental health care. 

Chris reads aloud a viral Facebook post he authored—a stark, vulnerable, and honest meditation on policing in a time of crisis. Together, he and Christian unpack the intersection of law enforcement, mental illness, public scrutiny, and systemic breakdowns. 

Topics Covered: 

• Critical incidents in Campbell River, BC
• The 1998 shooting of Connie and Ty Jacobs on the Tsuu T'ina Nation
• Impact of media narratives on officer morale
• RCMP’s approach to mental health, training & use of force
• The role and limitations of mental health response programs (e.g., CAR 87, CAR 69)
• The National Police Federation’s wellness advocacy
• Long-term effects of IIO investigations
• Systemic gaps and public expectations of police

Relevant Links:
 

• National Police Federation (NPF)
• The Connie and Ty Jacobs Shooting – CBC Archives
• Vancouver's CAR 87/88 Mental Health Car Program
• IIO BC – Independent Investigations Office
• The Death of Service Dog Gator – CBC News
• Const. Shaelyn Yang remembered – Global News 

Connect with Sgt. Voller: @chrisvollerNPF

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