If you are successful in the recruitment process you will be required to attend the Police Academy at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) located in new Westminster, BC. The Police Academy at the JIBC is responsible for training all municipal police recruits in British Columbia, including our WVPD recruits.

The tuition fee for the Police Academy is $18,378.00 and you are responsible for paying this. The JIBC is an accredited post secondary institution and your tuition is tax deductible. We supply the necessary equipment you will require during your training.

While training at the Police Academy, WVPD recruits receive Probationary Constable wages.

The Recruit Training program is composed of three separate “blocks” of training.

Block I

The first block of training (14 weeks) takes place at the Police Academy. It places heavy emphasis on police skills (such as driver training, firearms, arrest and control, investigation and patrol techniques), legal studies, physical fitness, foot drill (dress and deportment), and an introduction to the social sciences. The intent of Block I is to develop a relevant knowledge base for the Block II field training.

Block II

In Block II, the recruit constable returns to their home police department for a period of 18 to 21 weeks. During this field-training component, the recruit works under the guidance and continuous assistance of an experienced, specially trained constable (known as a field trainer). The field trainer is responsible for ensuring that the recruit receives a wide exposure to general police work. As a result, the recruit has the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in Block I within an operational setting.

Block III

In Block III (9 weeks), the recruit constable returns to the Police Academy, bringing experience from the “street scene.” This block builds on the knowledge of Block I, and the practical experience of Block II, to prepare the recruit to function independently upon graduation. After successfully completing Block III, the recruit graduates as a “Qualified Municipal Constable” that is designated by regulation, pursuant to the Police Act.