Profession court bailiff

Court bailiffs maintain order and security in courtrooms. They transport offenders to and from the courtroom, ensure necessary supplies are present in the courtroom, and investigate the premises and examine individuals to ensure there are no threats. They also open and close court, and call witnesses.

Personality Type

• Conventional / Enterprising
• Conventional / Investigative
• Realistic / Enterprising
• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Court procedures

  The regulations which are in place during the investigation of a court case and during a court hearing, and of how these events occur.

Skills

• Call witnesses

  Call witnesses during court hearings at the appropriate time, when it is time for them to be questioned or present their story, compliant with court procedure regulations.

• Restrain individuals

  Restrain, or control by force, individuals who violate regulations in terms of acceptable behaviour, who present a threat to others, and who perform acts of violence, to ensure the individual is unable to proceed in this negative behaviour and to protect others.

• Maintain court order

  Ensure that order and is kept in court during a hearing.

• Ensure equipment availability

  Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.

• Identify security threats

  Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.

• Handle conflicts

  Mediate in conflicts and tense situations by acting between parties, such as service users, important others like families, and institutions, striving to effect an agreement, reconciliate, and resolve problems.

• Ensure public safety and security

  Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.

• Maintain logbooks

  Maintain the required logbooks according to practice and in established formats.

• Escort defendants

  Escort suspects and known offenders from one area to another, such as in a prison or from a cell to a courtoom, to ensure they do not escape, that they are not violent, or otherwise exceed the limits of acceptable behaviour, as well as to be able to respond to any emergencies.

• Assist judge

  Assist the judge during court hearings to ensure the judge has access to all necessary case files, to help maintain order, see the judge is comfortable, and to ensure the hearing occurs without complications.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB