Vancouver Police to Establish New Training Academy at Woodward’s Site

The Vancouver Police Department says it will open a new in-house training facility in the Woodward’s building in Gastown, aiming to strengthen officer preparation and expand its training capacity amid ongoing concerns about the provincial police academy model.

Chief Constable Steve Rai said discussions about municipal police training reform in British Columbia date back to 2017, but key challenges remain. He noted that while the Justice Institute of British Columbia has increased class sizes at its Police Academy, the model does not fully meet Vancouver’s operational needs. The province previously invited municipal departments to apply to operate satellite academies, and the department says it is still awaiting a decision.

According to police, new recruits graduating from the Justice Institute of British Columbia academy currently require additional preparation before working in Vancouver. The department says it provides about eight weeks of combined pre and post academy instruction to ensure officers are equipped to handle the city’s complex policing environment, including mental health calls, open drug use, and dense urban response demands.

The new Vancouver Police Training Academy – Centre of Excellence will offer advanced instruction for serving officers and provide bridging programs for recent graduates. Police say the facility is designed to support scenario-based learning and specialized skills development while aligning with provincial certification standards.

The Woodward’s location was selected in part to increase daily police presence in the Downtown Eastside. Mayor Ken Sim said residents and businesses have expressed concerns about safety and stability in Gastown and surrounding neighbourhoods, and that situating the academy there would contribute to long-term renewal efforts in the area.

The announcement comes as municipalities across British Columbia continue to examine police recruitment and training capacity, particularly as departments face staffing shortages and increasing service demands.