The BC Government and Service Employees' Union announced today that it has made a unique proposal to the provincial government to combat the growing gang violence in Metro Vancouver that would take the pressure off police forces and make additional officers available.

The proposal includes moving responsibility for some routine police duties like traffic patrol and serving warrants to B.C. sheriffs, freeing up police officers for more serious criminal investigations like the gang task force.

"Alberta moved to the new sheriff model in 2006, and they've been quite successful," said Dean Purdy, chair of the union's Corrections and Sheriffs Services Component. "We can train sheriffs much quicker than police officers, and there are substantial cost savings for taxpayers in this model."

A police officer position in Alberta costs about $160,000 in salary, wages, benefits, support and equipment, compared to about $100,000 for a sheriff. In Alberta, sheriffs are currently paid at a higher wage rate than in B.C.

In 2007, 397 traffic enforcement RCMP were employed across B.C., with at least 25,000 outstanding warrants waiting to be served.

"With this proposal, the B.C. government can move experienced police officers into much needed areas of organized crime enforcement quickly," said Purdy. "Alberta created separate highway and warrant squads, so that resources are not taken from sheriffs' court services.

"This is a model that can help achieve the provincial government's objectives quickly, at a reduced cost to taxpayers. It would also help address the recruitment and retention issue in the sheriff corps, by expanding job opportunities and responsibilities. It's a win-win situation for B.C."

The BCGEU submitted the proposal to Attorney General Wally Oppal in 2007. Oppal replied in a letter dated December 3, 2007 that the government was not prepared to consider this option.