taylor192
09-22-2010, 10:59 AM
http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/98439--b-c-sheriffs-taking-on-traffic-duty
KAMLOOPS (NEWS1130) - Sheriffs in B.C. will soon be doing traffic enforcement and nabbing speeders in our province. About a dozen sheriffs in Kamloops will be pulled away from their regular duties as part of the pilot program.
No word yet on when the project will start, and details are still being ironed out on how much authority the sheriffs will be given if they pull over a car with drugs or weapons inside.
Dean Purdy, with the union that represents the sheriffs in B.C., says sheriffs have been doing traffic duty in Alberta since 2006 and it's worked well there. "It's made an immediate impact by reducing the number of speeding violations, deaths and the reduction of outstanding warrants. Not to mention, it's allowed the police to concentrate on investigating serious crimes like shootings and gang violence."
He says sheriffs are well trained to handle the added responsibility. "B.C. Sheriffs have received the same training that police officers get at the police academy, specific to those duties that they would be expected to perform like traffic duties."
If the program is successful in Kamloops it may go province-wide.
Purdy says because the project is starting with such a small number of sheriffs, he isn't worried about needing to hire more staff.
KAMLOOPS (NEWS1130) - Sheriffs in B.C. will soon be doing traffic enforcement and nabbing speeders in our province. About a dozen sheriffs in Kamloops will be pulled away from their regular duties as part of the pilot program.
No word yet on when the project will start, and details are still being ironed out on how much authority the sheriffs will be given if they pull over a car with drugs or weapons inside.
Dean Purdy, with the union that represents the sheriffs in B.C., says sheriffs have been doing traffic duty in Alberta since 2006 and it's worked well there. "It's made an immediate impact by reducing the number of speeding violations, deaths and the reduction of outstanding warrants. Not to mention, it's allowed the police to concentrate on investigating serious crimes like shootings and gang violence."
He says sheriffs are well trained to handle the added responsibility. "B.C. Sheriffs have received the same training that police officers get at the police academy, specific to those duties that they would be expected to perform like traffic duties."
If the program is successful in Kamloops it may go province-wide.
Purdy says because the project is starting with such a small number of sheriffs, he isn't worried about needing to hire more staff.