RCMP union, nearly 90 concerned municipalities call on province to pause Sask. Marshals Service

The largest police union in Canada and nearly 90 municipalities across Saskatchewan are calling on the province to pause its funding to the Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS), citing concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability.

The nearly 90 communities in the province, along with the union representing Mounties, signed a letter this week urging Premier Scott Moe to pause the proposed Saskatchewan Marshals Service. 

The service is meant to focus on rural crime, gangs and guns, arresting people with outstanding warrants, and assisting RCMP and municipal police when called, according to the province.

The marshals service has received $14 million so far and is expected to cost $20 million per year once fully operational. 

The National Police Federation, which represents 20,000 RCMP officers across Canada, says the province should invest into existing police resources.

The federation says there has not been "adequate consultation with the communities and stakeholders [the SMS] is meant to serve."

The City of Warman, Town of Wolseley, Town of Spiritwood, Village of Elbow and RM of Moose Jaw are among nearly 90 communities that have voiced similar concerns.

"The concern that we have is the lack of information as to the cost to our municipality," Wolseley Mayor Gerald Hill told CBC News Friday.

"How it will be implemented, how it's going to be paid for and where these additional officers are going to be located."

Hill said the details are extremely vague and the town's queries haven't been answered "satisfactorily." 

"We just need more information and I don't think that's an unreasonable request.… We're all taxpayers. We need to know who's paying for it and exactly what these new marshals will be doing," he said.

"Just tell us what the heck is going on. Lay it out in black and white."

Service to complement existing police: province

The province expects to launch the marshals service by the end of 2026. Its headquarters are in Prince Albert, with plans for four or five satellite offices across the province. The province said it will choose those locations based on crime statistics.

In a statement Friday afternoon, the provincial government said that the marshals service will operate as a "complementary addition," collaborating with the RCMP and municipal police services, and that no funds will be diverted from existing services.

"While the SMS will have police authority throughout the province, the RCMP will remain the provincial police service of jurisdiction," the statement said.

"The SMS is designed to address provincial policing priorities in a more proactive, targeted way."

'Lack of consultation is deeply troubling': police union

The National Police Federation said in a Thursday news release that there are several alarming issues around the marshals service, including oversight, lack of integration with existing law enforcement agencies, unknown costs and staffing concerns. 

"These issues raise serious doubts about the effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability of the SMS," the union said.

"This lack of consultation is deeply troubling and undermines the principles of democracy and community engagement."

The union said the absence of a plan outlining the impacts and costs of the marshals service is "unacceptable."

"We encourage the Government of Saskatchewan to pause funding on the Marshals Service, reassess needs with stakeholders and community safety partners, and continue to invest in existing policing and public safety resources in the province, including the Saskatchewan RCMP," National Police Federation president and CEO Brian Sauvé said.

Saskatchewan RCMP said in a statement Friday that they do not foresee any changes to how they do police work, but that they are "not part of any consultation processes with regards to the Marshals Service."

'We will be very transparent': minister

Paul Merriman, Saskatchewan's minister of corrections, policing and public safety, said Thursday at a news conference in Saskatoon that he has been in communication "almost weekly" with Rhonda Blackmore, RCMP's commanding officer in Saskatchewan, about the marshals service.

"We have an additional $21 million on the table ready for more RCMP officers. In addition to that, we're also looking at more marshals.… We want to be able to support municipal policing," he said, noting the province is working on hiring more police officers, including marshals, next year.

Merriman said the province is still in the midst of creating the service, so there will still be some upfront expenses like vehicles and recruitment.

"We will be very transparent with what we're doing with the marshals, just like we are with any of our policing programs."