British Columbia Sheriff Service
The British Columbia Sheriff Service (BCSS) is a provincial law enforcement agency overseen by the Ministry of the Attorney General in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1857, it is the oldest law enforcement agency in the province. Sheriffs are provincial peace officers appointed under the BC Sheriff Act and BC Police Act with authority to enforce all relevant federal and provincial acts including the criminal code throughout British Columbia while in the lawful execution of their duties.
| British Columbia Sheriff Service | |
|---|---|
Crest | |
Shoulder patch | |
| Common name | BC Sheriff Service |
| Abbreviation | BCSS |
| Motto | Honour, Integrity, Commitment |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | BC Sheriff Service, 1974 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | British Columbia, Canada |
| Size | 944,735 km2 (364,764 sq mi) |
| Population | 5,710,000 |
| Legal jurisdiction | Province of British Columbia |
| Governing body | Ministry of the Attorney General |
| Constituting instrument |
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| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Vancouver, BC |
| Deputy sheriffs | 551 |
| Civilian employees | 30 |
| Elected officer responsible |
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| Agency executives |
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| Facilities | |
| Stations | 46 |
| Website | |
| https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/courthouse-roles/sheriff-service | |
BC sheriffs provide protection and enforcement duties in support of the provincial, supreme, and appeal courts in British Columbia. The BCSS also assists local law enforcement agencies with additional resources to ensure public safety under the provincial Emergency Preparedness Program.