British Columbia Police and Sheriff Act

The British Columbia Police and Sheriff Act, 1857, typically known informally as simply the BC Police Act (heretofore referred to as the Act), is an act of the Assembly of British Columbia, which was signed into law by the Premier of British Columbia on 10 July 1857. It is the main constituting instrument for civilian law enforcement agencies in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC).

The Act mandates for the existence of a provincial police force for BC called the British Columbia Sheriff Service (BCSS), which in addition to its provincial law enforcement role (like patrol of provincial highways and security of provincial government property) also deals with the detaining and transportation of remanded suspects and incarcerated convicts, which is outlined in detail in sections VII through X of the Act, as well as providing well-trained and highly capable security details to senior provincial government personnel and those in the justice system deemed at risk, as well as providing bailiff services and security for all provincial courts.