Resolutions

Whereas RCMP detachments must provide law enforcement services to wide and far-reaching areas, which requires the support of administrative staff; and

Whereas the amount of administrative staff has been insufficient for various areas.

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Provincial Government and Federal Government for additional financial support to have more administrative staff hired to support RCMP members and so the RCMP may have an increased presence throughout areas under their jurisdiction.

Acts affected: None

Regions/Sectors: ALL

Dear President Goulden:

Thank you for your letter of May 11, 2023, in which you advised on several recent SUMA resolutions, including the issue of RCMP administrative support in detachments. As you are aware, the government of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting public safety in a province, including supporting our RCMP and municipal police services.

We feel it's important to establish that in this 2023-24 budget the Government provided over $218 million dollars to the RCMP for provincial policing including $355K for enhancement and expansion to the RCMP Division Operational Communication Centre (DOCC). This expansion will see five more dedicated radio communications members in the DOCC to manage 911 calls and RCMP operational responses to calls for service. In addition, we are providing over $18M in funding for policing in our First Nation communities.

Nevertheless, the RCMP and officials from the ministry are regularly in discussion as to what resources the RCMP may require assisting them in meeting their obligations under the Provincial Police Service Agreement (PPSA). In fact, the RCMP and the ministry are having these conversations at this very moment. Once those conversations occur the ministry officials will bring forward those requests for consideration through the normal budgetary process and presentation to Treasury Board in the fall.

 One important point to make involves communities that are currently under a Municipal Police Service Agreement (MPSA). As I am     sure you are aware these communities are not part of the PPSA. There currently are eight in Saskatchewan. Communities under an   MPSA can increase their specific number of RCMP members or municipal employees that provide administrative support as they         deem necessary. This is not reliant on the province to sanction in any way. This may be helpful to some of your communities who   would like to see an increase in either of these going into the future and may believe that the authority from the province is required.

Going forward, I look forward to continued engagement and discussion with SUMA on policing matters and our common goal of having safe and secure communities for all in Saskatchewan. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

Sincerely,

Christine Tell

Minister of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety