Alert for Component 1 members

The BCGEU lobbying efforts to push for an expansion of sheriff duties to include routine traffic responsibilities appear to be bearing fruit. In a recent media interview Attorney General Mike de Jong gave the go ahead to start a pilot project that will include a small number of BCGEU Component 1 deputy sheriffs doing routine traffic duties in the province.

“We have supported the government with this ever since we first presented the idea in 2007. We are pleased to learn the attorney general has decided to go ahead with a pilot project," said Dean Purdy, chair of the BCGEU's Corrections & Sheriff Services Component.

In 2007, the union met with former Attorney General Wally Oppal and pitched the idea of expanding the mandate of sheriffs’ duties to include routine traffic duties. In 2009, the BCGEU put forward its proposal repeatedly to current Attorney General Mike de Jong. This would take the pressure off police forces and make additional officers available, we argued. This initiative includes moving responsibility for some routine police duties, such as traffic patrol, in order to free up police officers for more serious criminal investigations, such as gang task force and drug crimes.

“BC sheriffs have been underutilized for many years. This is about improving road safety for all British Columbians and working to provide additional resources to police forces. We see this as a win-win for both the BC sheriffs and the police. It makes complete sense from a safety standpoint on how resources are utilized," said Purdy.

"We've been hearing from the public for months now that they want to see the police concentrating on more serious crimes. It has been proven that by putting additional resources on the road and focusing more resources in this area, we will improve safety on the roads for all British Columbians," Purdy added.

Alberta moved to the new sheriff model in 2006. ”This has worked out very well both from an economical and operational stand point,” said Purdy. “In fact, they have recently expanded their duties to include a gang task force.”

Purdy said he would like to see sheriffs take on additional duties. "There are currently more than 40,000 outstanding warrants in BC. Our sheriffs, who are highly trained and skilled peace officers, could step into this role quite easily as well," he said.

In solidarity,
Dean Purdy
Component 1 Chair
Corrections & Sheriff Services
BCGEU
 

The housing of up to 500 refugee claimants in Lower Mainland correctional facilities will strain an already overcrowded provincial jail system, the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union said today, in renewing its call for the provincial government to expand correctional facilities.

Members of the Component 1 executive met today with representatives from the Public Service Agency (PSA), as well as the employer from Adult Corrections, Sheriff Services, and Youth Corrections  to discuss the Component 1 agreement, which did not pass during the ratification vote on the Public Service Agreement.

Members of the Component 1 executive met today with representatives from the Public Service Agency (PSA) to discuss the Component 1 agreement, which did not pass during the ratification vote on the Public Service agreement.

The issue of the need for a new correctional centre in the Okanagan was raised in the legislature today. Members of the Component executive were at the legislature for Question Period.

The provincial government admits there is a need for a new correctional facility in the Okanagan, but is not doing any planning for such a facility and has not allocated any funds for a future jail, according to the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU).

Frequently Asked Questions: #2 How and when can I vote on the tentative public service agreement?

Your Component negotiating committee met with the Employer during the weeks of February 15 – 19, 2010 and February 22 – 26, 2010.  Although we were restricted by the Liberal Government’s net-zero compensation mandate and a very difficult Employer, we were able to negotiate some improvements to the Component Agreement and are able to recommend acceptance and ratification of the changes made to your Agreement.  We are also able to report that there were no concessions made other than non-substantive housekeeping language changes.

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