Resolutions

Therefore be it resolved that the SUMA lobby the Government of Saskatchewan for funding to utilize sheriffs (or other contract operators) for transportation of prisoners to and from remand.

The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that these duties can strain police resources as officers attempt to fulfill prisoner transport obligations in addition to their traditional police duties. Over the past three years, we have attempted to alleviate this strain on police agencies by increasing the number of police officers in the province. Currently, the province contributes over $138,000,000 annually towards policing and receives approximately $13, '00, '00 in contributions from municipalities. Since the beginning of the 2008-09 fiscal year, the province has also funded 85 additional RCMP positions, more than half of which were deployed in small municipalities and across rural Saskatchewan. Recognizing that further progress needs to be made in the provision of prisoner transport, the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing and the RCMP “F” Division are currently discussing options that would free up additional policing resources in individual communities and enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of prisoner transport.