Media Contacts

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Media Relations
778-405-4863

Backgrounders

Ensuring oversight, accountability

A steering committee will be established to monitor all aspects of the two satellite police academies.

  • The steering committee will be chaired by the director of policing and law enforcement services and include the president of JIBC and the BC Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police.
  • It will provide ongoing oversight of the satellite academies and compliance with the BC Provincial Policing Standards.
  • The steering committee will meet regularly and advise the minister of public safety and solicitor general and other affected partners on any issues that may affect training integrity, public confidence or the sustainability of the centralized model.
  • Failure to comply with the requirements set by the steering committee may result in the reconsideration or withdrawal of authorization for the temporary academy.
What people are saying about the new satellite police training facilities

Fiona Wilson, chief constable, Victoria Police Department –

“The Island JIBC satellite academy creates greater equity by allowing aspiring officers to train closer to home, removing barriers for those unable to leave the Island for extended periods. Expanding training capacity will also help address longstanding resourcing challenges and accelerate the path for new recruits entering the profession. We are grateful to the Province of British Columbia and the Justice Institute of British Columbia for their leadership in strengthening the future of policing.”

Steve Rai, chief constable, Vancouver Police Department –

“The JIBC has been, and continues to be, a foundational pillar in building the policing infrastructure that keeps communities across our province safe. This satellite VPD police academy is intended to enhance the essential work of the JIBC, helping ensure future police officers are prepared for the evolving demands of modern policing. The JIBC will remain central to policing education in B.C.”

Harj Sidhu, chief constable, Delta Police Department, and president, BC Association of Municipal Police Chiefs –

“Municipal police chiefs across B.C. view these temporary satellite sites as a practical way to increase training capacity in response to unprecedented hiring pressures, while working alongside the existing provincial training framework and ensuring consistent standards.”

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary and Future Skills –

“Expanding police training capacity is essential to maintaining safe, resilient communities. By adding these new satellite campuses under the Justice Institute of B.C., we can train more officers throughout British Columbia and equip them with the tools they need to serve and protect our communities.”

Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood –

“The Victoria Police Department continues to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that all municipal police departments in our province are properly staffed and resourced to uphold public safety in our communities. I look forward to watching first-hand, the Victoria police training facility unfold during this historic milestone and the benefits it will bring to our community of Esquimalt.”

Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill –

“The Victoria Police Department’s satellite police training academy will significantly boost police training capacity for all municipal departments throughout the province. By offering training closer to home, it will reduce travel time and accommodation expenses for all island departments, while strengthening local policing. I look forward to seeing how the Victoria police training facility will boost public safety in our community.”

Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South –

“Expanding the police training model to its own facility in Victoria will support the Saanich police department get their recruits trained and on the ground quicker, while staying close to home. I want to thank the Victoria Police Department for taking the lead in this initiative and look forward to seeing more officers in our community.”

Terry Yung, MLA for Vancouver-Yaletown –

“As a former Vancouver police officer and a JIBC board trustee, I know how important strong training is for the next generation of officers. Expanding the JIBC Police Academy through a satellite training model is a major milestone for policing in B.C. It will reduce wait times for recruits so more officers can be trained and serving on the front lines sooner.”