Saskatoon police getting more than $6.3M in funding from province

The Saskatoon Police Service is getting financial help from the provincial government.

In a media release Monday, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety announced it was providing $5.47 million in funding for 44 positions through the Municipal Police Grants program.

SGI also is adding $900,000 for five existing positions as part of the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan initiative.

The money from the Municipal Police Grants program is to go toward targeted policing initiatives in Saskatoon. Those include the Police and Crisis Team (PACT), a group of police officers and mental health workers who assist people experiencing mental health crises in the community.

The funding also will go toward the hiring of a new member of the Crime Reduction Team, which gathers information on street gangs and gang associates, and the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) program, which investigates child exploitation.

“Right now is a crucial time for all levels of government to work together to ensure a safe community,” Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said in the release. “This includes tackling the serious challenges of addictions and mental health affecting so many families and neighbourhoods.

“This support from the provincial government is key in building a more co-ordinated approach that addresses the root causes of these challenges.”

The Municipal Police Grants program funds 133 municipal police positions as well as targeted policing initiatives.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an amended version of this story, correcting the use of the funding.