Thursday, 1 June 2017
BALLISTIC vests will be rolled out to Sheriff’s Officers across the Northern Tablelands, giving them increased protection during high risk operations, local State MP Adam Marshall announced today.
While incidents are rare and locals overwhelmingly respected the work sheriffs perform, Mr Marshall said the vests would protect officers during high-risk operations where emotions can run high.
“Sheriffs stationed at six stations across the Northern Tablelands will soon get the extra protection – which could be invaluable when performing dangerous duties like asset seizure or evictions,” Mr Marshall said.
“These situations can be stressful – yet are occasionally necessary to uphold the law. This increase in security will ensure sheriffs can go to work with added confidence that they will be kept safe.”
The new vests will go to Armidale, Boggabilla, Glen Innes, Inverell, Mungindi and Warialda.
The NSW Sheriff’s Office is about to begin a tender process for the ballistic vests, which will be provided to all of its officers later this year.
“Sheriffs will be better protected than ever with the rollout of these vests,” Mr Marshall said.
There are now more than 280 Sheriff’s Officers in NSW, following the swearing in of 12 new recruits.
The recruits have undergone eight weeks of rigorous training on the law, operating scanning and X-ray technology, hand-to-hand tactics, the use of batons, escorting people from courts and resolving conflict without force.