Victoria Police Proposes New Training Academy on Vancouver Island

The Victoria Police Department has submitted a proposal for a temporary training academy for recruits on Southern Vancouver Island. This initiative aims to establish a satellite campus linked to the Justice Institute of B.C. (JIBC) on the mainland, which oversees the training of municipal police recruits. According to VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson, the new academy would closely align with JIBC’s curriculum and oversight. “It’s really in an effort for us to increase the availability of recruit seats over a temporary, short-term basis here on the Island,” Wilson stated in an interview with CTV News.

The proposal was submitted on Tuesday, following an invitation from the provincial public safety ministry for municipal departments to apply for a pilot project for satellite campuses. The Surrey Police Service also made a similar submission the following day, indicating a growing interest in expanding training facilities across the region.

Training Standards and Capacity Expansion

As discussions about the new training academy progress, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining high standards in police training. Michel Legault, a criminal justice instructor at Camosun College, highlighted the complexities involved in creating new training establishments. “We’re dealing with standards of training that need to be kept,” he noted. Legault stressed that core competencies should remain consistent to ensure that officers possess the same specialized skills regardless of their workplace.

The pilot project aligns with recent efforts to enhance the JIBC’s training capacity. Last week, Nina Krieger, the provincial public safety minister, announced funding to increase the academy’s capacity from 192 to 288 recruits annually. This investment aims to address staffing shortages that can negatively impact service delivery to communities. “We know that policing is a difficult profession and that staffing shortages can impact service delivery to communities,” Krieger said. “That’s why it’s so critical that this investment is ensuring that we have enough officers on the ground to be prepared to meet today’s challenges.”

The proposed academy on Southern Vancouver Island reflects a broader strategy to enhance police training across the region. By providing more recruitment opportunities, the Victoria Police Department aims to better equip its personnel to serve the community effectively. As the proposal moves forward, the focus will remain on ensuring that training standards are upheld while addressing the immediate need for more officers in the field.