The new year will bring its share of legislation coming into effect, and as of Jan. 1 the Police (Serious Incident Response Team) Amendment Act, 2021 establishes civilian-led oversight of investigations into serious incidents involving police officers in Saskatchewan.
SIRT investigations will apply to both municipal police officers and RCMP operating in Saskatchewan, as well as certain prescribed classes of special constables, such as Highway Traffic Patrol and Conservation officers.
"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," said Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. "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."
Acting under the Civilian Executive Director, currently Greg Gudelot of the Public Complaints Commission, SIRT members will investigate matters in which serious injury or death may have occurred in while a victim was in police custody. Other incidents qualifying for SIRT follow-up include those that could have been the result of the actions of a police officer, or where allegations have been made that officers were involved in incidents of interpersonal violence or sexual assault.
"The people of Saskatchewan rightly hold their police officers to a high standard," said Gudelot. "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."
Gudelot and his successors may also initiate investigations anywhere they believe it is in the public interest. SIRT can assume control of active investigations at any stage.
The legislation requires SIRT to appoint a First Nations or Métis community liaison officer in matters where an individual involved is of First Nations or Métis ancestry. Appointed liaisons can provide assistance to the Executive Director in a variety of ways.
The decision to appoint a community liaison to aid with investigations where not required by legislation is at the discretion of the Public Safety Commission executive director.
Summaries of SIRT investigations will be published online to ensure transparency and provide the public with informative results.
Visit SIRT online at saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/boards-commissions-and-agencies/saskatchewan-serious-incident-response-team for more information.
