The first few members of the province’s newest law enforcement agency have officially started training.
The Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS) announced that its first 10 experienced officers began their seven-week program through the Saskatchewan Police College on Monday.
The recruits will spend two weeks in Prince Albert, four in Regina and one in Saskatoon.
According to the service, the training is meant to build on the officers’ previous experience and knowledge and will include firearms training, defensive tactics, tactical emergency casualty care, high-risk vehicle stops, trauma informed policing and Indigenous culture.
“The excitement is building as the Saskatchewan Marshals Service prepares to launch a year ahead of schedule,” Deputy Chief of Enforcement Rich Lowen said in the announcement.
“Training is the key to excellence, and we are ensuring our team is prepared, capable and ready to serve throughout the Province of Saskatchewan.”
The first class is set to graduate in April.
The province has faced criticism from the NDP Opposition and the National Police Federation over its decision to establish the Marshals.
Both organizations argue the move will lead to job poaching. They say the money spent launching the new police force would be better spent on existing services, like the RCMP.
In January, the Marshals confirmed it was interviewing Saskatchewan Mounties for positions.
The province has defended the decision by saying it plans to fund more Mounties, along with its marshals.
In August, the province signed a deal with the RCMP, promising to cover the salaries of hundreds more officers if the RCMP could recruit to fill the positions.
The Marshals Service was created to assist RCMP and other law enforcement agencies in combatting rural crime, gangs, illegal weapons and drugs.
Additionally, officers will be tasked to apprehend high-risk and prolific offenders and conduct patrols in communities with high crime.
According to the service, Marshals will answer request-for-service calls from other agencies through the provincial dispatch centre.
The service has said it plans to have 17 to 20 officers working by the summer, with 70 employed by the end of 2026.
The Saskatchewan Marshals will be based out of Prince Albert, with regional offices planned for other communities in the future.
-With files from The Canadian Press
