Saskatchewan marshals employee placed on leave before service officially up and running

A member of Saskatchewan's new provincial police service has been put on administrative leave before the service has begun operations.

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service confirmed one of its members was the subject of complaint being investigated by the Public Complaints Commission, a five-person civilian body appointed by the provincial government.

The member has been put on administrative leave as the investigation is carried out.

A spokesperson did not identify the nature of the complaint or the identity of the service member. The service says it will offer no further comment until that investigation is complete.

The Public Complaints Commission confirmed it is investigating, but said it will not not release any details while the investigation is ongoing.

Premier Scott Moe, while speaking at this year's Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) conference in Saskatoon said he had been unaware of the investigation until reading news reports. 

"It isn't uncommon for whether it be a municipal RCMP or now the marshals service, from time to time to have members that are being dealt with for whatever it is they may have done," Moe said. 

The premier pivoted to his hopes for the new police service and their plan to launch this summer, a full year ahead of plan.

Marshals to launch this summer

The marshals service was announced in October 2022 and originally slated to start operations in 2026, at an annual cost of $20 million.

Since then, the service has hired personnel including a chief marshal, deputy chief marshal, civilian deputy chief, two superintendents and three inspectors.

Chief Marshal Robert Cameron has said he expects 17 to 20 officers to be hired by the time the service launches, with 70 officers employed by the end of 2026.

The service will have jurisdiction throughout the province and will support RCMP, First Nations and municipal police services, according to the provincial government.

The Official Opposition and the union representing RCMP officers have raised concerns about officers being poached from existing police forces.

There have also been concerns about whether a new provincial police force is needed. Both the Saskatchewan NDP and National Police Federation say the money would be better spent expanding the RCMP.

On Monday, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck repeated those concerns, calling the marshals a solution that no one asked for. 

"The premier needs to stop focusing on taglines and work with those on the front lines who know the issue well," said Beck.