Continuing to strengthen BC Sheriff Service with new sheriffs

NEW WESTMINSTER -

Summary

• Seventeen new sheriffs are graduating and starting work throughout B.C., helping keep people safe in courthouses and supporting a fully staffed BC Sheriff Service
• Sheriffs play a critical role in the justice system by protecting court participants, transporting people in custody and ensuring court proceedings run safely and on time
• Provincial investments in recruitment and retention have increased sheriff staffing levels, helping improve safety and reliability in courts throughout British Columbia

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Seventeen new sheriffs graduated from the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) on Monday, June 8, 2026, helping keep people safe in B.C. courthouses and supporting a fully staffed BC Sheriff Service following sustained provincial recruitment and retention efforts.

"When people walk into a B.C. courtroom, they are often having one of the hardest days of their lives and deserve to feel safe," said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. "These 17 new sheriffs will help make sure they do. These new graduates are joining a fully staffed BC Sheriff Service, built through years of focused recruitment and retention work, and I thank them for their commitment to helping safeguard courthouses across the province."

The new sheriffs will begin work in July 2026 at courthouses in the Lower Mainland, Nanaimo, Williams Lake, Cranbrook and the South Okanagan Escort Centre.

Keeping people and courthouses safe

Sheriffs are highly trained peace officers who help ensure B.C.'s 90 court locations operate safely and in a timely manner. Their work supports the judiciary, Crown and defence counsel, court staff and members of the public who interact with the justice system every day.

Core sheriff responsibilities include:

• protecting court participants
• transporting people in custody
• providing security for judges, Crown counsel, defence counsel and staff
• supporting jury administration
• carrying out enforcement duties essential to the justice system

The graduates completed rigorous academic, physical and scenario-based training at JIBC, and will continue with field training alongside experienced sheriffs before full deployment in July 2026.

"I am proud to welcome 17 new deputy sheriffs to the BC Sheriff Service," said Roger Phillips, chief sheriff and executive director, BC Sheriff Service. "These graduates have worked incredibly hard to complete a demanding training program. I look forward to seeing them put their skills to work in courthouses across British Columbia."

Fully staffed sheriff service

The BC Sheriff Service has reached full staffing levels following provincial efforts to recruit and retain sheriffs, such as:

• improved pay and benefits
• retention incentives
• a provincially led marketing strategy to raise awareness of career opportunities to reach bilingual people, women and people who have other law enforcement or military background

The efforts have led to a 7% increase in fully trained sheriffs as of April 2026, compared to the same time in 2025.

The Province will continue to invest in the recruitment, retention and training of sheriffs to strengthen the court system and ensure people can access safe, timely justice services throughout British Columbia.

Quick Facts:

• Sheriff intakes occur three times per year.
• Interested applicants can check the BC Sheriff Service website for the next set of openings.
• Sheriffs mainly work Monday-Friday instead of around-the-clock shift work.

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