The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $1.85 million in the Saskatoon Police Service to support community safety as part of their support for the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Enforcement Initiative.

The money will go toward the recruitment and retention of around 24 new SPS officers.

Community Safety Minister Michael Weger says the investment is part of the provincial government’s effort to make Saskatoon a safer place to live.

“This initiative is about making people feel safe where they live, work and raise their families. Municipal police services are at the center of this work. This initiative helps police services recruit and retain officers, the visible, trusted presence that communities depend on.”

Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block says that the funding will support police as they navigate new challenges in the community.

“There are upstream reasons that we need this type of policing. In Saskatoon right now, some 40 per cent or more of the calls we do are for social behaviour. How can we make sure that the officers in Saskatoon have the equipment and the tools they need to successfully support our community.”

SPS Police Chief Cam McBride added on to Mayor Block’s point about the new challenges officers face, going into more detail about the social disorders officers are called to deal with.

“Up to 40 per cent or close to 40 per cent of the calls that we are responding to are defined as social disorder. Things like intoxication, things like disturbances of many kinds. suspicious people who sometimes instill fear and concern within residents of Saskatoon, resulting in a call for help and a call for service.”

The funding is part of a larger $6 million investment by the provincial government that will go toward hiring 100 new officers across Saskatchewan through the SCAN Enforcement Initiative.

While the announcement was made today, the funding was already part of the province’s budget.