Public Complaints Commission concludes investigation into Sask. Marshals conduct
In a statement to Global News, the SMS confirmed it has received and reviewed a report from the PCC, saying the service 'takes all allegations involving member conduct seriously.' The SMS confirmed one of its members was the subject of a complaint back in April, which the commission was investigating.
Opposition NDP justice critic Nicole Sarauer is now calling on Justice Minister Tim McLeod to make the report available to the public.
'I think it's in the public interest that this information be made open,' Sarauer said. 'Minister McLeod needs to rebuild trust within this new Marshals service with the public and he can do that by being open and transparent and releasing the report.'
Story continues below advertisement
The Marshals Service is still a relatively new organization, only beginning operations in May after its first class of recruits were sworn in back in April.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
In a statement, the provincial government said 'The PCC investigation into the complaint involving the Saskatchewan Marshal Service has been completed and, in accordance with the procedure established by The Police Act, 1990, has been provided to the Service for their review and action. As set out in The Police Act, 1990, the Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety does not direct the day-to-day operations of the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.'
The statement continues to say, 'The PCC is an independent, civilian-led body. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General does not direct the day-to-day operations of the Commission.
The PCC does not issue public reports at the end of its investigations.
'It is standard practice for the PCC to provide its internal investigation reports to the relevant police agency to carry out any disciplinary measures or public reporting at their discretion. Questions regarding the results of the investigation are best directed to the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.'
The statement concludes by saying, 'The NDP should understand that it would be inappropriate to interfere with the independence of the PCC by politicizing the decision to release the findings of investigations, and they should apologize to the SMS and the PCC for disrespecting their dedicated service.'
Story continues below advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
New Sask. legislation intended to discourage street weapons comes into force
Social Sharing The Safe Public Spaces Act, also known as the Street Weapons Act, is coming into effect in Saskatchewan on Aug. 1. The act gives police the power to seize street weapons, which include large knives, hatchets, and bear spray. Municipalities and First Nations must first opt-in to the act, meaning that each jurisdiction has a say. Sask. Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim Mcleod announced the coming-into-force on Thursday at Moose Jaw Police Service Headquarters. "All of the Charter protections still exist and the Criminal Code isn't being changed by this legislation," said McLeod. "However, we have seen an increasing number of incidents where there were people openly carrying a machete, or unfortunately, bear spray has become a real concern in a variety of situations." McLeod says that the legislation builds upon regulations surrounding bear spray, and expands it to other potentially dangerous items. The "street weapons" listed include blades over 30 centimetres, hatchets, sledgehammers, body armour and bear spray. "It's giving police an additional tool where somebody may be carrying an item that otherwise didn't violate the Criminal Code, but is simply dangerous for a public purpose," said McLeod. "We've heard many stories coming out of Saskatoon with bear spray in shopping malls. Bear spray does not belong in shopping malls." Moose Jaw Police Service's Superintendent Trish Seman said that the act will be an important tool for officers. "Typically right now we would be more reactive than proactive," said Seman. "We get on the scene a lot of times and things have already happened. If we were at a situation or event, we see the machete as the extreme case … Sometimes we run into situations where we might not be able to seize it because there might not be a reason for us to, but this allows us now to seize it." Possessing the street weapons in a public setting could potentially cause convictions with fines up to $5,000, or a full year in police don't need to lay a charge however, as they can simply seize the dangerous item. Joanne Klassen, co-owner of The Boutique Next Door, says in the 32 years she's been in business in downtown Moose Jaw, crime and violence have declined greatly. "It wouldn't be a city unless there were areas that felt unsafe," said Klassen. "As for walking around downtown, that is not a frightening thing for me at all. I think sometimes things can be over-exaggerated … It feels safe and fun."
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
Saskatchewan legislation meant to crack down on drugs and street weapons, coming into effect Friday
New provincial legislation meant to protect communities in Saskatchewan from dangerous drugs and street weapons will come into effect on Friday. Under 'The Safe Public Spaces Act,' it will be illegal to possess transport, store, deface, or alter items that may be used as street weapons, such as bear spray, knives, and hypodermic needles without an appropriate reason, according to a news release from the province on Thursday. The act will also prohibit dangerous drugs, such as methamphetamine and fentanyl in public spaces. The new law will not be applied across the board, as individual municipalities and First Nations have the choice to opt in by passing a local bylaw, thereby giving police enhanced powers to seize the items from people in public spaces where there is a threat to public safety – regardless of whether charges are laid. Those in breach of the rules can be charged with a provincial offence and be subject to a fine of up to $5,000, face imprisonment for up to one year, or both. 'The coming-into-force of this Act will empower law enforcement and give them an important tool to appropriately address individuals that use street weapons to intimidate or harm people in public spaces,' Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said in the release. Public spaces may include public buildings, parks, playgrounds, any land or building entered without consent of the owner, common areas of condominiums or apartments, unoccupied land or buildings, or vehicles travelling through public spaces, according to the province. - More to come…
Global News
25-07-2025
- Global News
Public Complaints Commission concludes investigation into Sask. Marshals conduct
A Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS) member has resigned after being placed on leave earlier this year. This comes as an investigation into allegations of misconduct was done by the Public Complaints Commission (PCC). In a statement to Global News, the SMS confirmed it has received and reviewed a report from the PCC, saying the service 'takes all allegations involving member conduct seriously.' The SMS confirmed one of its members was the subject of a complaint back in April, which the commission was investigating. Opposition NDP justice critic Nicole Sarauer is now calling on Justice Minister Tim McLeod to make the report available to the public. 'I think it's in the public interest that this information be made open,' Sarauer said. 'Minister McLeod needs to rebuild trust within this new Marshals service with the public and he can do that by being open and transparent and releasing the report.' Story continues below advertisement The Marshals Service is still a relatively new organization, only beginning operations in May after its first class of recruits were sworn in back in April. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In a statement, the provincial government said 'The PCC investigation into the complaint involving the Saskatchewan Marshal Service has been completed and, in accordance with the procedure established by The Police Act, 1990, has been provided to the Service for their review and action. As set out in The Police Act, 1990, the Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety does not direct the day-to-day operations of the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.' The statement continues to say, 'The PCC is an independent, civilian-led body. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General does not direct the day-to-day operations of the Commission. The PCC does not issue public reports at the end of its investigations. 'It is standard practice for the PCC to provide its internal investigation reports to the relevant police agency to carry out any disciplinary measures or public reporting at their discretion. Questions regarding the results of the investigation are best directed to the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.' The statement concludes by saying, 'The NDP should understand that it would be inappropriate to interfere with the independence of the PCC by politicizing the decision to release the findings of investigations, and they should apologize to the SMS and the PCC for disrespecting their dedicated service.' Story continues below advertisement
