The new year brought along the establishment of Saskatchewan’s police watchdog.
The Police (Serious Incident Response Team) Amendment Act, 2021 came into play, which created a Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) in the province.
“These changes will allow the SIRT to engage in any serious incident involving police, from initiating a full investigation to reviewing, overseeing, assisting or delegating one,” Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said.
“The Act coming into force completes the transition to a civilian-led, independent police oversight body and brings Saskatchewan’s police oversight regime into line with most other Canadian jurisdictions.”
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SIRT members will investigate incidents where serious injury or death occurred while in police custody, as a result of an officer, or where interpersonal violence or sexual assault is alleged.
“The people of Saskatchewan rightly hold their police officers to a high standard,” Public Complaints Commission executive director Greg Gudelot said.
“A fully-operational SIRT ensures that serious incidents involving Saskatchewan police will be investigated through an independent and transparent process designed to ensure a fair and high-quality investigation for all those involved.”
Investigations will apply to RCMP, municipal police officers and special constables such as conservation officers and highway traffic patrol.
A First Nations or Métis community liaison officer will be appointed for matters where an individual involved in an investigation is of First Nation or Métis ancestry.
The province says a summary of SIRT investigations will be given online to provide the public with the results and to maintain transparency.
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