BC launched a recruitment drive for Crown prosecutors to help deal with repeat offences

VICTORIA — The British Columbia Prosecutor’s Service has launched a recruitment drive for Crown lawyers and other staff, part of a series of recent actions to address repeat violent offences.

A statement from the service said it aims to hire up to 40 Crown lawyers this year, some to fill vacancies created by prosecutors’ dedication to repeat abuser response teams.

The teams are part of an action plan for safer communities in the province launched by Prime Minister David Eby soon after he was sworn in last November.

At the time, Eby said the plan had two main tracks: law enforcement, recognizing “zero tolerance” for violence in society, and intervention, or preventing crimes before they occur through services that address root causes.

Officials say the response team will consist of police, prosecutors and probation officers who will focus on repeat offenders, while the province also plans to add 12 mental health response teams, some led by indigenous people.

Job postings for Crown counsel to join prosecution services show vacancies in more than 20 communities from Metro Vancouver to Dawson Creek in northeast BC, with the potential to recruit in additional locations.

The service says it is seeking attorneys with at least six years of trial experience and strongly encourages applications from candidates across Canada.

The Liberal opposition has criticized what they call the government’s “catch and release” policy towards repeat violent offenders, citing incidents of people being arrested for suspected violent assault and released on bail soon after.

Eby said the provincial action plan was needed in part because federal changes to the bail system have made it more difficult to keep people who commit repeat, violent offenses in custody until they are tried.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on January 11, 2023.

Canadian Press