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British Columbia Sheriff Service | |
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Common name | BC Sheriff Service |
Abbreviation | BCSS |
Motto | Honour, Integrity, Commitment |
Agency overview | |
Formed | BC Sheriff Service, 1974 |
Preceding agencies |
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Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | British Columbia, Canada |
Size | 944,735 km2 (364,764 sq mi) |
Population | 5,710,000 |
Legal jurisdiction | Province of British Columbia |
Governing body | Ministry of the Attorney General |
Constituting instrument |
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Operational structure | |
Headquarters | Vancouver, British Columbia |
Deputy sheriffs | 551 |
Civilian employees | 30 |
Elected officer responsible |
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Agency executives |
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Facilities | |
Stations | 46 |
Website | |
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/courthouse-roles/sheriff-service |
The British Columbia Sheriff Service (BCSS) is a provincial law enforcement agency overseen by the Ministry of the Attorney General in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Founded in 1857, it is the oldest law enforcement agency in the province. Sheriffs are provincial peace officers appointed under the BC Sheriff Act and BC Police Act with authority to enforce all relevant federal and provincial acts, including the criminal code throughout British Columbia while in the lawful execution of their duties.
BC sheriffs provide protection and enforcement duties in support of the provincial, supreme, and appeal courts in British Columbia. The BCSS also assists local law enforcement agencies with additional resources to ensure public safety under the provincial Emergency Preparedness Program.
In 1857, Governor James Douglas appointed Andrew Muir as the first sheriff of the Colony of Vancouver Island. In 1860, the Sheriffs Act was created, which divided the province into nine counties. [1] Early sheriffs performed a variety of duties such as "jailhouse manager, tax collector, government agent,formed Posses and even gold commissioner". [1]
In the twentieth century, the role of sheriffs evolved further, depending on the region of the province. As sheriffs, roles included "justice of the peace, marrying people in civil ceremonies, and raising the 'hue and cry' and posse comitatus to chase and capture criminals". [1] Sheriffs were also responsible for death sentences at the Okalla prison. [1]
In 1974, the sheriff's office in British Columbia was restructured and merged into a single department known as the British Columbia Sheriff Service and reported to the attorney general. [1]
In March 2021, the BCSS retired the last of its Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. [2]
BCSS members are peace officers who receive their authority from the BC Sheriff Act and BC Police Act and, as such, have authority to enforce provincial and federal statutes. They have the authority throughout the province of British Columbia while in the lawful execution of their duties. [3]
BCSS members are armed with a sidearm while on duty; the current sidearm is the Smith & Wesson M&P.
BCSS members carry out protective and enforcement duties in support of the administration of justice, including the protection of the provincial, supreme and appeal courts of BC, coroner's court, and other official inquiries such as commissions or public hearings. [3] Duties include planning high security trials, assessing and investigating threats towards those employed in the justice system and provincial government, protection of judges, Crown prosecutors and those employed by government, managing detention cells, transportation of prisoners by ground and air, manage and provide protection for juries, serve court-related documents, execute court orders, execute criminal and civil warrants, and provide members to the BC Fugitive Return Program [4] The BCSS also assists local law enforcement agencies with additional resources to ensure public safety at special events such as Canada Day deployments. [ citation needed ]
As of early 2019, BCSS members are duty-bound and have a responsibility to act in exigent circumstances to intervene in life-threatening situations they encounter in the course of their duties. [5]
The rank structure and insignia consists of the following:
Ranks [6] | Chief sheriff | Deputy chief | Superintendent | Senior inspector | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Deputy sheriff | Recruit |
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Insignia | None | None |
Recruiting of new sheriffs' deputies is handled by the service's Recruiting and Retention Unit. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, show safe driving records, have successfully completed the class 4 drivers license testing, pass the Sheriff's Officers Fitness Assessment Test, have current standard first aid and CPR, pass an English competency, grammar, comprehension test, pass a typing test (25 wpm), pass a comprehensive background investigation and security screening which include past-work performance reference checks, competency-based interview process, comprehensive medical examinations, vision and hearing testing and voice stress analysis testing. Applicants must pass each stage and requirement of testing before moving on. [6]
Recruit training is conducted at the Sheriff Academy at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Recruits undergo a fourteen-week training program. Block I takes place at the Sheriffs Academy in New Westminster and consists of training in emergency vehicle driving, firearms, force response options, active shooter and team deployments, conducted energy weapons (tasers), communications, legal studies, report writing, controlled access points, roles and functions, intelligence, cultural awareness, dress and deportment and physical fitness. In Block II, recruits enter the field under the direction of a training officer, who will also complete an evaluation. In order for a recruit to progress to the rank of deputy sheriff they must successfully complete both blocks. [7]
In 1903, Sheriff Stephen Redgrave was killed in the line of duty in Golden, BC, when he had a heart attack while trying to effect an arrest. He was 70 years old. [11]
In 1999, Deputy Sheriff James Askew was killed in the line of duty in Kamloops, BC, while participating in dynamic training.
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