B.C. government approves municipal police officer training sites in Vancouver and Victoria
The additional training capacity is intended to help municipal police departments across the province recruit and prepare more officers more quickly.
“We are ensuring that police departments have the well-trained officers they need on the ground to keep people and businesses safe in communities across the province,” said Nina Krieger, B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a statement, noting that this also builds on a recent $4-million provincial investment to expand JIBC’s capacity.
“Together, these initiatives will ensure that the surge in municipal recruit training demands throughout British Columbia are fully met, now and into the future.”
Under the plan, the VPD will operate a training academy focused primarily on preparing its own recruits.
In late February 2026, VPD officials and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim formally announced the creation of the VPD-run training academy within London Drugs’ former two-storey, 26,000 sq. ft. retail store location at the Woodward’s complex — following Vancouver City Council’s approval of an upfront, one-time, $4-million municipal investment to cover the costs of renovating, furnishing, and equipping the space.
At the time, prior to the provincial government’s approval for the ability to train new officers at the facility, the VPD were initially planning to use the Woodward’s space to consolidate existing programs that provided their own recruits with months-long supplemental training, before and after the JIBC program. Instead, this latest decision by the Ministry enables VPD to fully execute its plan to train its additional recruits from start to finish — not just for VPD-specific supplemental training.
The VicPD will open its own site later in 2026, which will also serve other municipal departments in southern Vancouver Island. That location is expected to reduce travel time and costs for recruits who would otherwise attend training at the JIBC’s main campus in New Westminster.
The provincial government notes the satellite programs will follow the same curriculum and standards used at the JIBC Police Academy and will operate under its oversight.
“Our role has always been to ensure police recruit training in British Columbia remains rigorous, consistent, and responsive to changing needs,” said Len Goerke, president and CEO of JIBC. The organisation had previously issued statements suggesting that the added capacity from the satellite municipal police department-run training academies would not be necessary, following the boost to JIBC’s capacity.
“The Province’s approach introduces additional flexibility, while safeguarding the rigorous standards that define JIBC’s police recruit training,” continued Goerke.
The expansion comes amid growing demand for police training across the province. JIBC currently runs three cohorts per year and is increasing class sizes from 96 to 144 recruits starting in May 2026. At full capacity, the academy’s main campus could graduate up to 432 recruits annually.
The provincial government notes that, combined with the new satellite academies, the additional training capacity will also help accommodate recruits associated with the ongoing transition to the Surrey Police Service as well as other municipal departments across B.C. This will free up JIBC’s space to train police officer recruits for other municipal departments elsewhere in the province.
The VPD says its new academy marks a major step in strengthening its recruitment and training capabilities.
“The VPD Police Academy is intended to enhance the essential work of the Justice Institute of British Columbia, helping ensure future police officers are prepared for the evolving demands of modern policing. The JIBC will remain an important institution for police education in British Columbia,” said VPD Chief Constable Steve Rai.
Last month, Rai asserted that JIBC’s newly increased capacity boost would be insufficient for VPD’s needs, and that there were also gaps in specific training for VPD’s standards. As well, the VPD-run training academy will improve operational flexibility.
“This moment has been years in the making. It reflects years of planning, advocacy, and collaboration driven by a shared commitment to building a safer Vancouver and a safer Province,” continued Rai.
Rai previously noted that the VPD-run training academy could potentially train over 100 police officer recruits per year, and control the timing and cadence of classes to better match operational demands. He pointed to municipal police departments in Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg running their own police training as a “best practice” based on the performance outcomes, instead of B.C.’s centralized academy under the provincial government.
Mayor Ken Sim also welcomed the decision, noting that the foot traffic generated by the facility at the Woodward’s complex will bring some vitality to the Gastown and Downtown Eastside areas, and improve safety.
The VPD-run training academy joins other new policing facilities at Woodward’s, including VPD’s new District 5 operational headquarters — the patrol hub for areas in and around the Downtown Eastside — and the VPD’s volunteer-driven, outreach-based Gastown-Hastings Crossing Community Policing Centre.
“This announcement delivers what we have been promising to Vancouver: a safer city for both residents and businesses,” said Sim.
“Locating this new academy at Woodward’s will bring consistent activity and a stronger daily presence to the area, helping support safety and long-term renewal in the heart of our city.”
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