Community Safety Officer(s)
Res #: 18-22M
Number: 18
Year: 2022
Midterm: Yes
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
WHEREAS the resolution #13-22A: Community Safety Officer (CSO) Funding (“the resolution”) was passed at the SARM Annual Convention 2022.
WHEREAS SARM provided the resolution to the Provincial Government for consideration and response.
WHEREAS the Provincial Government’s response to the resolution focused on RCMP services with little to no response regarding the future of CSOs in small urban and rural communities.
WHEREAS small Urban and Rural municipalities will work together to share CSO services.
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Province of Saskatchewan to allocate funding for CSO capital and/or operational costs for communities willing to share costs and resources for hiring/contracting Community Service Officers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Targeted Sector Support Initiative allows for applications for CSO financial support when applied at a Cooperative regional level.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety
June 15, 2022
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.
The Honourable Christine Tell – Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety
January 24, 2023
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. Honourable Christine Tell, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety or one of her officials will respond to you directly on Community Safety Officers in small urban and rural communities.
The Honourable Jeremy Cockrill – Minister of Highways, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
February 8, 2023
In response to Community Safety Officers (CSO) (18-22M) there is currently no program funding in place for municipal CSO programs.
Targeted Sector Support Initiative {TSS) is a cost-shared grant funding initiative that supports Saskatchewan municipalities in strengthening their core municipal responsibilities, through a combined focus on good governance, capacity building and regional cooperation.
Economic development, tourism development, infrastructure and capital projects or any other project that could be considered normal municipal operations are ineligible for funding under the program.
Project costs such as salaries, remuneration, honorariums, per diems and other employment benefits are not eligible costs under TSS.
Active CSOs are still going to be provided with training opportunities at minimal cost for Weights and Dimensions on courses provided by the Provincial Protective Service, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol. CSO employers are only responsible for travel costs, no tuition costs are charged.
The Honourable Christine Tell – Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety