WEYBURN - The Weyburn Police Service received additional funding for officers, and will see the force grow to 24 members by next year.
The funding announcement was made on Wednesday morning at the Weyburn police station, with Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman on hand along with Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan, Mayor Marcel Roy and Police Chief Brent VanDeSype.
"By investing in police services, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods, and the Police College, we are raising policing levels across the province and improving the safety and wellbeing for everyone in Saskatchewan, including Weyburn area residents," Merriman said.
A total of $238,000 has been earmarked for the City of Weyburn to hire two new officers for the Weyburn Police Service.
"The Weyburn Police Service is very pleased with the provincial government's announcement of much-needed additional funding to keep our Saskatchewan communities safe," Weyburn Chief of Police Brent VanDeSype said. "More specifically, the $11.9 million for approximately 100 new municipal officers across the province is welcome and significant news for Weyburn, as it allows the Weyburn Police Service to increase its number of sworn officers from 22 to 24. The ability to add two new officers will have a positive impact to the service we provide to the residents of Weyburn."
Currently the Weyburn force has a vacancy with the departure of former chief Jamie Blunden, bringing the force's complement to 21 members.
VanDeSype said the Weyburn police board will be discussing how to best deploy the new positions, once they formally approve the addition of two new officers, and estimated that by possibly mid-year 2025 they may have the new personnel in place.
The Weyburn Police Commission has also had a change, as board member Coun. Mel Van Betuw has resigned, as of Aug. 21, and at Monday's council meeting, Coun. Laura Morrissette was appointed as a new member representing council.
Minister Merriman said this funding is over and above the budgeted amount for policing in the last budget, and will be a permanent addition to the municipal police grant. The new funding includes $2.5 million more for the Saskatchewan Police College, which will increase the number of recruits they are able to train.
The Government of Saskatchewan will also undertake substantial changes within the justice system to empower police and other enforcement officers and promote the overall safety of business owners and citizens.
The Government of Saskatchewan will:
• Advance new options to ensure municipal bylaws are enforced, including through the introduction of community bylaw court hub models, such as Kindersley's Municipal Bylaw Court;
• Explore ways to ensure traffic courts operate as efficiently as possible and police spend less time prosecuting traffic offences and more time addressing serious crimes; and
• Enhance the Fine Option Program to ensure accountability for all offenders and provide an additional option for those individuals who are unable to pay off tickets and fines.
"Saskatchewan people are increasingly concerned about crime, and we want to empower police to fight it," Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said. "That means police spending less time in Traffic Court, establishing municipal bylaw courts to relieve criminal dockets, and enhancing the Fine Option Program for provincial and bylaw offences to ensure greater accountability for all offenders."
