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Shortage of sheriffs in Nanaimo causes court delays

Union will meet with B.C. Attorney General on Wednesday (Sept. 13)
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The courthouse in Nanaimo saw some delays in August due to shortage of sheriffs, says Dean Purdy, B.C. Government and Services Employees’ Union’s corrections and sheriff services vice-president. (News Bulletin file)

The union representing Nanaimo sheriff services is hoping a meeting this week with B.C.’s Attorney General will curb a declining workforce causing court delays.

Dean Purdy, B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union’s corrections and sheriff services vice-president, said sheriffs – peace officers for courts – are underpaid and losing membership to higher-paying police jobs.

Purdy said there were 16 sheriffs in Nanaimo 15 years ago, but now there are approximately 12. Provincially, there were 500 sheriffs 10 years ago and that has decreased to 400.

Along with RCMP, municipal and transit police forces are also heavily recruiting sheriffs and corrections officers. The main reason for the shortage is wages, Purdy said.

“A sheriff tops out at $58,000, whereas the average salary of a municipal police is $93,000 and that gap has continued to grow,” said Purdy. “In the last 16 years, we’ve had, under the previous government, minuscule wage increases for both sheriffs and corrections, while the RCMP, municipal police and transit police continue to climb and really government’s put themselves into this position and as a result, it’s safety in the courts and lack of sheriffs as a result.”

Sheriff shortage led to delays at Nanaimo court in August, according to Purdy.

“On Aug. 15, a criminal trial was delayed about an hour,” said Purdy. “On Aug. 22, a courtroom trial was shut down, again on Aug. 23, due to a lack of deputy sheriffs.”

In an e-mail, the ministry said it is increasing the number of court sheriffs, expanding use of duty counsel and increasing staffing of the court services branch to address court delays.

“The ministry is looking at ways to add additional classes to make sure there are sufficient sheriffs in the courtrooms and we expect more than 50 new sheriffs will be added this year, one of whom will be assigned to Nanaimo after graduation this fall,” the statement read.

Purdy said if the government even closed the wage gap halfway, his membership would stay.

“They actually like the job,” said Purdy.

In addition to meeting with B.C. Attorney General David Eby this Wednesday (Sept. 13), Purdy said the union will also meet with B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to discuss corrections pay.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com



Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
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