GOVERNMENT FULFILLS COMMITMENT TO HIRE 120 POLICE OFFICERS

The province is ensuring the safety of Saskatchewan residents by fulfilling its commitment to hire 120 new police officers over four years.

Funding from the 2011-12 provincial budget has been provided to hire the remaining 30 police officer positions, resulting in a total of 120 new positions since 2008-09.

"Our government recognizes the needs of the RCMP and municipal police services across the province," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "The addition of these officers provides valuable resources to police enforcement units to reduce organized crime and increase public safety throughout Saskatchewan."

Since the 2008-09 budget, officers have been deployed to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit, and the Northern Drug and Gang Enforcement Unit.

Since then, the ICE unit has laid 194 charges against 71 individuals and has been involved in more than 400 internet related investigations involving abused children.

In the last two years, officers from the CFSEU and the Northern Drug and Gang Enforcement Unit have made several significant seizures of cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. Cash and assets from organized criminal enterprises have also been seized.

"By working closely with the provincial government and our policing partners, we are better able to address crime in both rural and urban communities," RCMP Assistant Commissioner Russell Mirasty said.

"The addition of 120 new police officers is important as it helps us support our efforts to keep communities safe and reduce criminal activity across the province," Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police President Dale McFee said.

Since 2008-2009, 51 positions have been allocated to the RCMP and 39 positions assigned to municipal police services.

Consultations will take place this spring with police leaders to determine how the positions will be allocated based on crime rates and local needs.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Linsay Rabyj
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2626
Email: linsay.rabyj@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-540-4945