Community Safety Officer Funding
Res #: 13-22A
Number: 13
Year: 2022
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
WHEREAS RCMP officers are no longer able to provide adequate policing coverage in many rural municipalities due to a shortage of officers in their local detachment and a rise in major crime that takes precedence over most municipal issues;
WHEREAS Community Safety Officers have proven to be a valued resource for providing policing services to municipalities that RCMP officers are no longer able to provide; and
WHEREAS a portion of the costs of RCMP services are covered by the federal and provincial governments, but all costs associated with Community Safety Officers must be borne by the municipality over which the Community Safety Officer presides.
BE IT RESOLVED SARM lobby the provincial government to provide financial assistance to rural municipalities who employ Community Safety Officers in their municipalities.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety
June 15, 2022
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the 2022 Annual SARM Convention Resolution on the perception that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are no longer able to provide adequate policing coverage in many rural municipalities and a request for financial assistance to rural municipalities who employ Community Safety Officers (CSO).
As the Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, it is my responsibility to promote adequate and effective policing in the province. I must note the province neither directs the RCMP in the performance of their duties nor sets resourcing levels. These are internal administration functions that the RCMP is responsible for. It is the Commanding Officer of the RCMP in Saskatchewan who determines resourcing levels, and we continue to bring these concerns to her attention to ensure community and officer safety remains a top priority.
I have included the contact information for the RCMP Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, it is as follows:
Commanding Officer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
“F” Division Headquarters
Bag Service 2500, 6101 Dewdney Avenue
REGINA SK S4P 3K7
Telephone: 639-625-3237
Currently, there is no program funding in place for CSO programs. CSOs are still going to be provided training opportunities at minimal cost for Weights and Dimensions on courses provided by the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol CSO employers are only responsible for travel costs as no tuition costs are charged.
Hon. Christine Tell – Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety
