TEAM

KEVIN NYSTEDT

Victoria Police Detective-Sergeant

Nystedt has lots of stories about speed, whether it’s road racing with the Nanaimo Cycling Club until 1992, or his trajectory from volunteer firefighter in Central Saanich to detective-sergeant for the Victoria Police Department. 

The only speed bump along the way: The Rubik’s Cube, the 3-D combination puzzle, invented in 1974. “Finally solved it this year. First attempt was 1982.”

Nystedt grew up in Kitsault B.C., with later moves to Prince Rupert, followed by Nanaimo and Victoria and Central Saanich, finally landing in North Saanich. 

Nystedt has always worked on the front lines, whether as a short-order cook, volunteer firefighter until 2004, first aid attendant, and B.C. Corrections officer, or in his 23 years policing, first with the Central Saanich Police and then with VicPD, where he has been since 2006. 

Married with two daughters — a nurse and an environmental engineer – and a son at the University of Northern B.C., Nystedt has had a close-up view of cancer through his wife, who has worked at B.C. Cancer for 33 years. She is currently in a provincial position supporting B.C.’s 10 year Cancer Action Plan

Nystedt’s father was treated at B.C.Cancer, members of his volunteer firefighters’ family have been diagnosed with cancer, and recently a family friend’s child was diagnosed with cancer. “They spent Christmas in the parking lot of B.C. Children’s Hospital,” said Nystedt. That left him “with the feeling of ‘how can we help’. This is how.”