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