B.C. Sheriff Services welcomes 12 new deputy sheriffs today who will serve in courthouses in communities throughout the province helping to ensure the safety of all justice system participants.

The new sheriffs recently completed 16 weeks of Sheriff Recruit Training (SRT) through the Justice Institute of British Columbia, giving them the necessary skills to perform public safety and statutory roles at courthouses across B.C.

The graduates are being deployed throughout the province, with seven going to the Lower Mainland, two to Prince George, one to Campbell River, one to Port Alberni and one to Fort St. John. Their main responsibilities will include:

• Providing prisoner escorts between courthouses, correctional centres and police lock-up facilities.
• Courthouse and courtroom security, including the management of courthouse lock-up facilities.
• Jury management.
• Providing protection services to government, as well as threat assessment services to ministries.

The new sheriffs come from diverse backgrounds, including: commissionaires, youth corrections, the British embassy, private security and the Liquor Distribution Branch.

There are approximately 500 full-time equivalent sheriffs working in 44 courthouses and 45 circuit courts in B.C. communities.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“I applaud the commitment and dedication the recruits have shown throughout their training and wish them well in their new career in law enforcement. The graduates will join their B.C. Sheriff Services colleagues across the province in serving our justice system and keeping our courthouses safe.”

Chief Sheriff Paul Corrado -

“I am pleased to welcome the 2014 graduates of the sheriff recruitment training program into B.C. Sheriff Services. B.C. Sheriff Services plays an integral role in our justice system by providing services that ensure the security and safety of courthouses and court participants in communities throughout the province.”

Justice Institute of British Columbia president and CEO, Dr. Michel Tarko -

“Over the last 35 years, the Justice Institute of British Columbia has trained well over 1,000 sheriffs. As Canada’s leading public safety educator, we are pleased to provide sheriffs with training to keep B.C.’s courts safe and secure. We are proud of our sheriff graduates for completing their program and wish them well in their new responsibilities.”

Quick Facts:

• To become a sheriff, apply to enrol in Sheriff Recruit Training (SRT), offered by the Justice Institute of B.C.
• SRT is a 16-week, mandatory training program provided at no charge to candidates who are selected as sheriff recruits.
• Recruits are employees of the Court Services Branch of the Ministry of Justice and receive a training wage while completing the SRT.

Learn More:

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

Justice Institute of British Columbia Sheriff Academy: http://www.jibc.ca/programs-courses/schools-departments/school-public-safety-security/sheriff-academy

Media Contacts:

Lori DeLuca
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 953-3196

Richard Chu
Communications and Marketing
Justice Institute of British Columbia
604 528-5874