B.C. Sheriffs taking on traffic duty duty, traffic, taking, Sheriffs

tiffiant

KAMLOOPS (NEWS1130) - Sheriffs in B.C. will soon be doing traffic enforcement and nabbing speeders in our province. About a dozen sheriffs in Kamloops will be pulled away from their regular duties as part of the pilot program.

No word yet on when the project will start, and details are still being ironed out on how much authority the sheriffs will be given if they pull over a car with drugs or weapons inside.

Dean Purdy, with the union that represents the sheriffs in B.C., says sheriffs have been doing traffic duty in Alberta since 2006 and it's worked well there. "It's made an immediate impact by reducing the number of speeding violations, deaths and the reduction of outstanding warrants.  Not to mention, it's allowed the police to concentrate on investigating serious crimes like shootings and gang violence."

He says sheriffs are well trained to handle the added responsibility. "B.C. Sheriffs have received the same training that police officers get at the police academy, specific to those duties that they would be expected to perform like traffic duties."

If the program is successful in Kamloops it may go province-wide.

Purdy says because the project is starting with such a small number of sheriffs, he isn't worried about needing to hire more staff.

pkphilip

In big cities like Vancouver, we won't see many sheriffs anyways.

Philip

Guy

i see them here but how different are they?

pkphilip

They are here usually are in official business, but they do not have jurisdiction when there are RCMP or city police presence.

Philip

Guy

official business?? what is it?

pkphilip

回復 6# Guy

You know, the "cop" PR thing.... like socialize, checking out Timmy's.

Philip

Guy

you serious???

i saw them on the street every month

pkphilip

I see them on the street too, but I don't see them doing anything...

Philip