A graduating class of B.C. sheriffs will soon start their careers at courthouses in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.
Attorney General Niki Sharma welcomed the 24 graduates at a ceremony on February 5, 2025.
According to the ministry, a total of five sheriffs have been assigned to northern B.C., with two in Dawson Creek and one in Fort St. John. One sheriff will also be added to Terrace and one to Quesnel. The Attorney General’s office told CJDC-TV that sheriffs may be moved across the region based on several factors to ensure the “best allocation of resources.”
The sheriffs provide protection for those involved in the justice system, including the Crown, judges, defense lawyers, court staff, and the public.
“Without sheriffs, court matters cannot proceed. Sheriffs maintain a safe environment for everyone delivering justice services in 90 court locations throughout B.C.,” reads a provincial release.
They also transport individuals who have been arrested or found guilty to and from jails or prisons.
The graduating class will continue training until March 6th, with their first day of duty slated for the following day. The next cohort will begin sheriff-recruit training in the spring.
The BC Sheriff Service is oldest law-enforcement agency in the province. An on-going partnership will work to enhance recruitment, retention, and training of sheriffs.