Brief History

The office of the sheriff dates back to Saxon times and, other than the monarch, is the oldest position of authority in England to have responsibility for the administration and enforcement of justice. The medieval sheriff was a powerful viceroy empowered to act as a constable, judge, jailer and coroner. Since that era, all of the sheriff's jurisdictional duties have become separate offices of authority except for his principle mandate to serve as court officer for the Crown.

British colonization brought English law and tradition to the Colony of Vancouver Island. In 1856, Governor James Douglas received an Order-in-Council instructing him to organize a judicial system that included the appointment of a sheriff. In 1857, Andrew Muir was given the post, making him the first sheriff of the Colony of Vancouver Island. Two years later, British Parliament enacted legislation to create the Colony of British Columbia and on March 1, 1859 Douglas appointed Charles Nicol as its first high-sheriff.

The first Sheriff's Act, legislated for the colonies in 1860, outlined the jurisdiction, power and authority of the office. In 1866, the British Columbia Act united both colonies into the Colony of British Columbia and on March 5, 1867 the Sheriff's Ordinance assimilated the law relating to sheriffs, thereby repealing the Sheriffs Act of 1860.

In 1873, the province was divided into three bailiwicks: Vancouver Island, Westminster, and Cariboo. Over the next 15 years additional bailiwicks were created from the original three and in 1888 they were redefined as counties to coincide with the county court districts. From 1856 to 1974, eighty-six men served as sheriff of a shrievalty in British Columbia.

In 1974, the New Democratic Party government instituted a number of reforms that significantly changed the structure of the sheriff's office and its sanctioned duties. Responsibilities were increased and the nine existing county sheriff offices were merged into one provincial department called the British Columbia Sheriff Services. Placed under the control of the Ministry of Attorney General, the new agency transported prisoners, provided courtroom security, assembled and supervised juries, served court-related documents and carried out court orders.

The British Columbia Sheriff Services has become an exceptional model for the provision of civil law enforcement and court services. Deputy sheriffs graduate from the Sheriffs' Academy with the practical skills and expert knowledge they need to perform their duties in a professional manner, a qualification that is manifested through smart looking blue uniforms and distinctive marked vehicles.

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