Provincial government, SGI fund 48 Saskatoon Police Service jobs

The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) is to receive nearly $6 million in government funding for 48 positions during the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The Ministry of Corrections and Policing is providing the service with $4.98 million for 43 existing positions through the Municipal Police Grants program. That’s an increase of $70,000 from last year.

“Public safety is a priority for our government,” Saskatoon University MLA Eric Olauson said in a release on behalf of Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell. “We are proud to support the Saskatoon Police Service and the work it does to ensure community safety.”

Some of that money is to fund the renewal of the Police and Crisis Team (PACT). That unit comprises police officers and mental health workers who offer assistance to persons experiencing mental health crises in the community.

Other funds are to go to the Integrated Crime Reduction teams (which gathers intelligence on street gangs and gang associates) and the Internet Child Exploitation program (which is dedicated to the investigation of child exploitation).

SGI is providing the SPS with a further $900,000 for five positions with the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan initiative.

“Efforts of both prevention and enforcement around gang activity, exploitation and violence are critical to public safety in Saskatoon,” Police Chief Troy Cooper said in the release.

“The continued support provided by the Province of Saskatchewan assists our officers as they address these issues.”