Attacks on officers, safety issues still need to be addressed

In a move that has shocked the BCGEU, the B.C. Government today announced the closure of female youth offender units in Prince George and Victoria.

The BCGEU is calling on the B.C. Government to assign additional duties to the B.C. Sheriff Services as cost saving and revenue generating measures. The union believes such a move would also improve road safety, alleviate delays in courts and free up other police forces to focus on the Criminal Code.

“Our research tells us money can be saved if sheriffs take on other duties such as traffic and warrant delivery,” said BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “Our sheriffs, who are highly trained and skilled peace officers, could step into these roles. Fourteen sheriffs have already been trained in traffic enforcement at the Justice Institute of B.C. and they’re ready to go.”

Currently, there are no full-time law enforcement agencies ensuring the delivery of warrants. According to the government, there are currently more than 7,000 outstanding warrants in B.C. Because sheriffs work around the province, they could easily take over this responsibility, which would fit neatly into their current role. The cost saving would come from police officers being freed up from warrant delivery services to deal with more serious crimes.

Eighty-five percent of BCGEU members will be negotiating new contracts in 2012.

Nearly 200 delegates to the BCGEU’s two-day bargaining conference have identified key proposals for bargaining in 2012.

The provincial government still does not know the impact of the Harper government's crime legislation or the costs that will have to be picked up by B.C. taxpayers.

Boyd report calls for return to 20 to 1 inmate to staff ratio

Responding to a letter from BCGEU president Darryl Walker, the Solicitor General has indicated she hopes to make an announcement on the construction of a new correctional centre in the Okanagan shortly.

The acute shortage of staff in the provincial court system and the impact of federal crime legislation dominated question period in the B.C. legislature today. Both involve BCGEU members and their work in corrections and court services.

Opposition leader Adrian Dix opened Question Period by asking Premier Christy Clark what she plans to do to ensure the federal government not be allowed to download the cost of its crime bill onto provincial taxpayers.

The BCGEU has been raising concerns about this issue for some time, including meeting with the Solicitor General and the Attorney General.