Vancouver Police Training Academy officially open

THE Vancouver Police Training Academy in the Woodward’s building was officially opened on Thursday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with more than 275 guests and community members attending.

“This state-of-the-art Academy represents a new chapter in the history of the VPD and, crucially, in how recruits are trained to become officers who will serve the unique and dynamic policing needs of Vancouver,” said Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Chief Steve Rai.

“For the first time since 1978, when the Department last had its own training program, we will be able to fully develop the next generation of police officers in Vancouver — from the day they join our organization to when they graduate and begin their careers with the VPD.”

Forty “Class One” recruits began their studies at the facility in the Woodward’s building at 351 Abbott Street in the Downtown Eastside earlier this week. The students will complete their training and start work in the city on June 25, 2027. Another 40 recruits (Class Two) begin their studies January 18, 2027.

“The opening of the Vancouver Police Training Academy is a significant milestone for public safety in Vancouver,” said Terry Yung, Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services.

“As a graduate and former trustee of the Justice Institute of B.C., training recruits within the city will give them valuable exposure to the operational environment, diverse communities, and public safety challenges they will encounter throughout their careers. This academy will help prepare the next generation of officers and strengthen public safety for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”

Initially announced in February 2026, the 30,000-square-foot, three-floor Training Academy received provincial approval in March. Construction in the space formerly occupied by London Drugs began June 1.

“The Academy is a foundational addition to the Woodward’s building and to the Downtown Eastside community. Greater police presence in the area is already showing a positive public safety impact with the addition of District 5 operations and will only continue to improve now the Academy is running,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.

“Vancouver’s residents, business, and visitors are clear – safety is a top priority for them. This location was specifically chosen to enhance safety, stability and community in the DTES, Gastown, Chinatown and surrounding areas.”

The City of Vancouver provided $4 million in total for the work, which included $2.8 million for the establishment of District 5 and $1.2 million for the Academy. Additional costs are fully funded within the approved VPD budget.

“Today’s grand opening is indeed a milestone for VPD recruits and the Department. On behalf of the VPD, I thank the City of Vancouver, the Province, Westbank Properties, and the Vancouver Police Foundation for their support. I also want to recognize the many VPD officers and civilian staff who worked tirelessly over the last four months to build out the Recruit Development Program, including a Vancouver-centric curriculum, and to oversee the construction and all other facets of this project,” said Rai.

“Ultimately, the Academy is an investment in public safety. Recruits coming through the VPD Academy will have the exceptional skills Vancouver residents, businesses, and visitors expect from the VPD, and they’ll be ready to deploy across the city the moment they graduate.”

The Academy features:

* A virtual reality room where recruits can work through a multitude of high-pressure policing scenarios, including crisis intervention and de-escalation, mental health, and strategic communications

* Two large classrooms and two smaller classrooms designed for active learning with smaller cohorts to enhance the instructor-to-recruit ratio

* A report-writing room where recruits hone administrative capabilities

* A dedicated police radio channel for communications training

* A gym that includes a turf floor section for training

* Athletic therapy space

* A massage, physiotherapy, and first aid room

* Cafeteria

Courses are taught by nine full-time instructors, all of whom are experienced VPD officers with first-hand experience of the policing challenges of the city. They will teach a provincially approved specialized VPD curriculum. Another nine officer instructors are in place at the Tactical Training Centre, where recruits complete use-of-force training, firearms instruction, and other critical skill-building. Driving instruction is provided by VPD trainers at Mission Raceway.

All recruits at the Academy use laptops and work under major case management principles, learning VPD systems from Day One to ensure they are efficient and effective when deployed.

The VPD Museum will also move into the Woodward’s building so visitors can learn more about the history of the Department.