In 1996, Wesker joined the newly-founded S.T.A.R.S. division of the Raccoon Police Department, where he worked as a double agent for Umbrella, giving them information on any police investigations.[7] Two years after the formation of S.T.A.R.S., a series of cannibal homicides were reported near the Arklay region. While the public feared these deaths were the work of a local cult, only Umbrella knew the truth.[notes 3] In an effort to control the public outcry, S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team was dispatched to the region to investigate the situation.[8] Wesker used the time they were gone as an opportunity to gather battle data by pitting the members of S.T.A.R.S. against Umbrella's B.O.W.s.[notes 4]
At the same time, Wesker and Birkin were ordered to reclaim the Umbrella Training Facility. Unfortunately, the resurrected Marcus destroyed any chance of reclaiming it.[notes 5] Forced to destroy the facility, Wesker realized this to be the perfect opportunity to leave Umbrella to pursue his own personal interests.[9] After destroying the escaped failed experiment: The T-001, Wesker encountered the head of Umbrella's paramilitary organisations: Sergei Vladimir, who was Spencer's trusted colonel.[10] He asked where Wesker was going, and Wesker simply said his next mission.[11] Sergei reminded him that the reclamation of the training facility was his mission.[11]
Wesker pointed out that the t-virus had escaped, infecting a great deal of the area.[citation needed] He told Sergei that his intent was to destroy the facility and dispose of it, as it was of no further use.[citation needed] Sergei reminded Wesker that he was not in charge of Umbrella and could not just do as he pleased without his superiors' consent, unaware of Wesker's intentions to leave Umbrella, anyway.[citation needed] He then unleashed his bodyguard, an Ivan against him in order to punish Wesker for his failure and as a reminder of who was in control.[11] Wesker saw the fight as a chance for some entertainment and battled the B.O.W..[11]
Just as the Ivan was about to attack again, an explosion occured in the training facility, above. Wesker gave a soft smile as the facility's charges detonated, and the blast caught Sergei and his Ivan off guard so they could shield themselves.[11] This gave Wesker enough time to slip away and escape the defunct facility, prompting Sergei to say "I guess he didn't like his lesson."[11] Wesker then prepared to dispatch the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha team to the region.[12]
