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 Provincial Police (BCPP), which in addition to its provincial law enforcement role (like patrol of provincial highways and security of provincial government property) also deals with routine civilian policing at the municipal (local government) level, which is outlined in detail in sections VII through X of the Act.

The Act also mandates for a separate British Columbia Sheriff Service (BCSS), responsible for the care and transportation of detainees, acting as the enforcement arm of the provincial judicial system, providing bailiff services and security for all provincial courts 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 outlined in the Act, the BCPP is directly answerable to the Attorney General of British Columbia via the BC Police and Crime Commissioner, while the BCSS is part of the the hierarchy for which the Attorney General's deputy, the Solicitor General, is responsible.