ATTORNEY GENERAL and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton meets with three deputy sheriffs during their training session at the Vancouver Law Courts in late September. Twenty three new sheriffs graduated from the Justice Institute Oct. 13 and start assignments around the province.

ATTORNEY GENERAL and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton meets with three deputy sheriffs during their training session at the Vancouver Law Courts in late September. Twenty three new sheriffs graduated from the Justice Institute Oct. 13 and start assignments around the province.

New sheriffs ready for assignment in Oliver area

Okanagan Correction Centre is assigned three new sheriff recruits

  • Oct. 23, 2016 5:00 a.m.

Three new deputy sheriffs have been assigned to the Sheriff’s Office located at the Okanagan Correction Centre, and will assist in nearby courthouses until that time.

MLA Linda Larson, on behalf of Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, made the announcement.

“Sheriffs contribute their skills and training to our local communities, acting as a safeguard for those who serve in our courtrooms as well as the public,” said Larson in a press release. “The people of Oliver will be glad to see the addition of three deputy sheriffs to our law enforcement team, and I look forward to welcoming our new recruit to the community.”

READ MORE: Keys handed over for Okanagan Correctional Centre

The sheriffs received their badges on Oct. 13 at the Justice Institute of British Columbia after four months of intensive training, including use- of-force techniques and firearms use. The recruits learned the skills necessary for courthouse and courtroom security, jury management, and the escort of those in custody to and from court, correctional centres and police lock-up facilities.

Once deployed, the deputy sheriffs will provide safety and security for the courthouses and those who use them, including judges, court workers, legal professionals and the public.

Along with Oliver, recruits will be deployed to courthouses throughout the Lower Mainland, Victoria, Fort St. John, Prince George, Port Alberni and Kamloops. They join a team of more than 450 sheriffs serving throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

* BC Sheriff Services is part of Court Services Branch and has about 500

staff with a budget of over $40 million.

* Sheriffs have responsibility to:

* Coordinate safe and timely in-custody accused appearances;

* Liaise with court users, the judiciary, members of the bar, prosecutors

and other law enforcement agencies; and

* Enforce court orders and service of civil and family documents and

warrants.

* Sheriff Services operates an Intelligence and Threat Assessment Unit

that liaises with local, provincial and federal law enforcement agencies

to ensure the safety and security of court facilities and court

users.

Learn More:

Ministry of Justice, B.C. Sheriff Services: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/sheriffs/

Justice Institute of B.C. Sheriff Academy: http://www.jibc.ca/programs-courses/schools-departments/school-criminal-justice-security/sheriff-academy

 

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