Police Officers in Saskatchewan

 

Introduction

 

The Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers represents over 1100 police personnel from across Saskatchewan. The Federation is made up of police associations from Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Weyburn, and Estevan. The Federation’s constitution states the following objectives:

 

a)      To establish friendly relationship between all members of the Federation so as to secure a united effort to all questions affecting or likely to affect their interests.

b)      To encourage and strengthen cooperation to the fullest extent between those charged with the enforcement of the law and other areas of the criminal justice system.

c)      To raise standards of law enforcement and to educate the public to its vital importance in the everyday life of the community.

d)      To secure by all proper and legal means the elevation of intellectual and social standards of the members.

e)      To give collective expression to our legislative requirements and present these to our elected representatives.

f)        To establish all benefits of a social nature pertaining to members welfare.

g)      To make recommendations to the Saskatchewan Police Commission on all matters of mutual interest to Federation members.

 

Through its membership in the Canadian Police Association the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers is committed to:

 

a)      Ensuring the welfare of Canadian police personnel by securing a safe and equitable work environment

b)      Promoting the highest standards of professionalism within policing.

c)      Protecting police officer and public safety by advocating progressive justice reform.

 

We are proud of the relationship we have formed with the Saskatchewan Party Government and especially the Department of Justice and Public Safety and Policing. Like all of you we want to make a difference in our communities. As the voice of frontline police officers in Saskatchewan we bring a unique perspective to public safety and policing issue.

In the 2007 election campaign the Sask Party promised to fund 120 new police positions within their 4 year mandate. At the recent 2008 budget presentation 30 new police positions for included with a promise of 30 more each of the next 3 years.

 

 The following are reasons why the Sask. Party Government should keep their commitment to hire more police officers.

 

 

Crime Statistics

 

Other than Nunavet, NWT, and the Yukon, Saskatchewan has the highest crime rate in Canada. Saskatchewan has the highest violent crime rate and is second to B.C in property crime rate. Saskatchewan has the highest crime rate per officer but the number of officers per 100,000 people is in the middle of the pack. Our cities have the highest crime rate in the country and municipal police officers take more calls per police officer than any other in the country.

 

Community Expectations

 

Communities are demanding more police presence 24 hours a day. The public expect police to be problem solvers and to be actively involved in the community and schools and to keep the roads safe. All that and in the last 20 years resource levels are lower, budgets have been frozen and police administrations have been downsized. Community policing is a wonderful concept but without adequate human resources, it is not sustainable. Police in Saskatchewan with more human resources could become more of a proactive police service rather than the reactive service that is provided now.

 

Changes in Policing

 

Changes to the criminal justice system as well as other legislative changes bring a new challenge to police services. White-collar crime, technological advances, DNA, Youth Justice Act, youth gangs, organized crime, are all examples of changes that have implications for both developments of new skills and knowledge and enhancing existing skills and knowledge for police services. Police services are also faced with the challenge of recruiting and retaining highly educated members that are a reflection of the society we serve.

 

 

By raising awareness on law enforcement and justice issues, the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers promotes community safety. We believe having an adequate amount of police officers for the people of Saskatchewan will contribute to community safety. We ask that the Saskatchewan Party follow through on their commitment of supplying 120 more police officers in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers is committed to joining with Government, Justice, Public Safety and Policing, and the Chiefs of Police to work in a coordinated way to improve policing in Saskatchewan.