The city’s latest intake of new Probationary Sheriff’s Officers has officially deployed to Coffs Harbour Courthouse, marking an important boost to safety at court.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh attended Coffs Harbour Courthouse today to officially welcome the new Officers and thank them for their commitment to ensuring our justice system continues to operate safely.
“Coffs Harbour Courthouse is a key part of our State’s justice system and ensuring the safety of court witnesses, staff and the general public is crucial,” Mr Singh said.
“I’m pleased to welcome our new Officers, Mr Grant Kerrison and Ms Lyndall de Vries, to Coffs Harbour Courthouse and I thank them for eagerly taking up their new posts.
“It’s sometimes a dangerous job, and the new Officers deserve our thanks and appreciation for committing to protect people who attend court.”
Attorney General Mark Speakman welcomed the arrival of the new Officers.
“Mr Kerrison and Ms de Vries are part of the largest ever cohort to undergo training and the first to be enrolled in the NSW Sheriff and Justice Academy, with 2020 classes delayed due to COVID-19,” Mr Speakman said.
The 10-week program brought academic rigour around legislation to the real world, with the recruits learning communication skills to de-escalate situations and tactical training including hand-to-hand combat.
Mr Kerrison and Ms de Vries will now finish their Certificate III in Government (Court Services) over 12 months in the workplace.
More than 300 Sheriff’s Officers carry out court security and administer the jury system in 170 locations in NSW. They also perform field duties such as seizures of assets, enforcing warrants and evictions. Over the past year, the Sheriff’s Officers have stepped out of their normal role to also assist in bushfire relief and COVID-19 efforts.
