Over $12M in grant funding going towards police positions in Regina, Saskatoon
Global News
An investment of more than $12 million from the Saskatchewan government will help fund a variety of existing and new police positions in Regina and Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan government has announced a combined total of $12.3 million for policing initiatives between the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) and Regina Police Service (RPS).
On Monday, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety announced a commitment of $5.93 million for RPS, while SPS will receive $6.37 million in funding.
The government said $5.03 million of the funding for Regina police will be drawn from the Municipal Police Grants to fund 40 RPS positions in 2021-2022, an increase of $86,000 from last fiscal year.
In Saskatoon, $5.47 million from the program will go towards 44 positions.
“Over the past year we have seen some significant trends and challenges in community safety,” stated Regina Police Chief Evan Bray in Monday’s announcement.
“This continued commitment from the provincial government is appreciated and essential in our work as a police service to enhance community safety and wellness.”
Funding will support targeted policing initiatives, including the Police and Crisis Team comprising of police officers and mental health workers providing integrated and coordinated response to people experiencing mental health crisis in the community, according to the government.
In addition, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) will pitch in $900,000 for five existing roles from the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan program.