Surrey Police Service (SPS) has formally submitted a proposal to the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to establish a satellite police academy in Surrey. The proposed facility would support training for up to 90 recruits each year, helping meet rising provincial demand for police officers.

The Ministry invited police agencies across British Columbia to express interest in hosting pilot satellite programs to expand the Justice Institute of B.C.’s (JIBC) capacity for recruit training. Surrey’s proposal is backed by the City of Surrey and the Surrey Police Board.

SPS plans to use its existing 65,000-square-foot training centre and certified instructors already familiar with JIBC curriculum. The model mirrors training partnerships currently operating in parts of Alberta and Ontario.

Chief Constable Norm Lipinski said a local training academy would help address ongoing staffing challenges across the province. “The expansion at JIBC is welcome, but it still won’t meet the growing demand for new officers,” Lipinski said. “Using our Surrey training centre would allow JIBC to focus on serving other police agencies across B.C.”

Surrey’s policing transition—considered the largest in Canadian history—continues as the city replaces RCMP services with its own force. The SPS expects to complete the hiring of more than 800 officers by 2027. Mayor Brenda Locke said the city supports the proposal, emphasizing that training capacity will be essential as B.C.’s population grows.

Surrey Police Board Chair Harley Chappell added that a satellite academy would ensure the city can sustain police training and public safety needs amid Surrey’s rapid expansion.