Province unveils policing grants for Prince Albert, Yorkton

The police services in Prince Albert and Yorkton will have a number of positions funded by the provincial government through its Municipal Police Grants program.

This year’s annual funding adds up to $3.04 million in Prince Albert, funding 23 existing police positions. SGI is also chipping in $540,000 to fund three positions under the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan project.

The funding will be used for targeted policing projects in P.A., the province said, including the city’s Police and Crisis Team, which partners officers with mental health professionals to respond when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.

The grant funding in P.A. will also support the Crime Reduction Team and Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, the province added, which target gang activity, drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking. The Internet Child Exploitation Unit, which investigates online exploitation cases including child pornography, will also benefit.

Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne said the city has a unique situation which brings along challenges around crime.

“We are facing addictions, homelessness, weapons and property-related crimes,” Dionne said in a statement. “Municipal Police Grants support a more focused approach to crime trends and targeted enforcement initiatives aimed at proactively addressing illegal activity in our community.”

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• Province provides $7.61 million to Saskatoon police, funding 54 positions

In Yorkton, the grant funding of $343,000 will be used to fund three existing RCMP positions, and will also go towards the local Police and Crisis Team.

“The City of Yorkton appreciates the annual provincial funding of the Municipal Police Grant,” Mitch Hippsley, Yorkton’s mayor, said in a statement.

Hippsley added a safe community helps lead to a strong local economy.

“Every community is in need of the best protection services possible and becoming even more so,” he said. “Our excellent RCMP services play a big part in attracting new citizens and new businesses to Yorkton.”

According to the provincial government, the grants program – which has been ongoing since 1998 – currently supports 143 positions at municipal police forces across Saskatchewan.