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For the second time in just over a week, a member of a Saskatchewan police service is facing an investigation by the province’s Public Complaints Commission.
According to the provincial government, the commission “receives, investigates and reviews complaints against municipal police, conservation officers, Highway Patrol officers, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) officers, and community safety officers.”
The commission is made up of five non-police members.
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Brody Ratcliffe, communications manager for the Saskatchewan Marshals Service, said one of its members was the subject of a complaint and that person has now been placed on administrative leave.
No information on the nature of the complaint, or when it was made, was provided.
Ratcliffe said the service would not make any other comments until the investigation was completed.
The Marshals Service is expected to start this summer — a full year before it was expected.
Messaging from the provincial government has described the service as having authority throughout the province and said it will support other police services where appropriate. The RCMP will continue to be the provincial police service of jurisdiction.
The marshals will respond to high crime-rate areas, deal with gangs and illegal weapons, go after people with outstanding warrants and investigate farming-related offenses.
The marshals will also have a mandate to investigate crimes specifically related to farming and agriculture, “such as cattle, crop, metal, (and) farm chemical theft, and trespassing that may result in crop damage.”
The new police force will be based in Prince Albert with 70 sworn officers, at an estimated cost of $20 million per year.
Since the new service was first announced, the organization hired Rob Cameron as its chief marshal and has also recruited a deputy chief, a civilian deputy chief, two superintendents and three inspectors. A number of civilian support positions have also been filled.
Its first regional headquarters, in North Battleford, is expected to open in the fall and will house an inspector, 10 marshals and civilian support staff.
The first class of marshals is expected to be sworn in on April 24 at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert.
The Sask. NDP has criticized the service as wasteful, expensive and accused it of poaching experienced officers from other police services.
On April 4, Regina Police issued a statement indicating that chief Farooq Sheikh, was also sidelined after a complaint against him. The Public Complaints Commission is also looking into that matter.
While the investigation continues, deputy chief Lorilee Davies is acting Regina police chief.
— with files from Battlefords Now and 980 CJME’s
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