Staffing shortages in the B.C. Sheriff Service are nothing new, but the ongoing problem has once again led to courtroom closures.
A shortage of available sheriffs recently forced the closure of five courtrooms for a day at the Surrey Provincial Court, and the Abbotsford Law Courts were forced to close three courtrooms on Friday, Monday and Tuesday for the same reason.
The challenges the sheriff’s service are facing were highlighted in a recent recruitment and retention report commissioned by the provincial government from consultants Business Research and Diagnostics.