Saskatchewan Marshals to open first regional HQ in North Battleford

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS) announced Thursday that the new headquarters is set to open in the fall – and will include an inspector, 10 Marshals and civilian support staff. (Photo: SMS)

Saskatchewan’s newest law enforcement agency have established its first regional headquarters in the North Battleford region.

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS) announced Thursday that the new headquarters is set to open in the fall – and will include an inspector, 10 Marshals and civilian support staff.

“Throughout the process of identifying this regional headquarters, members of the SMS senior leadership and enforcement branch were in communication and consultation with city and town officials in the area and the local RCMP detachment, the service said in a news release.

“These conversations focused on interoperability and how the SMS can support and enhance public safety in the community.”

North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin highlighted the need for strong partnerships as the fledging organization begins operating.

“The success of the SMS depends on strong partnerships between policing agencies to avoid duplication of services and instead create complementary strategies. The city is confident that both the SMS and RCMP leadership share this goal,” Hawtin said in the release.

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Inspector Tim Garland, a veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police, has been appointed as the inspector in charge of the Battlefords regional headquarters office.

Earlier in March, the first 10 members of SMS began their seven-week training program through the Saskatchewan Police College.

The province has faced criticism from the NDP Opposition and the National Police Federation over its decision to establish the Marshals service.

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 David Prisciak