Province orders North Battleford to halt public intoxication arrests under bylaw

Oct 23, 2026 | 3:34 PM

The province has directed North Battleford to stop its community safety officers from arresting people for public intoxication under a city bylaw after a review found arrest provisions were being applied beyond their appointed authority, according to a city report.

City administration is asking council to repeal an amendment that added arrest and release provisions to the Panhandling and Public Behaviours Bylaw. The proposal goes before council Oct. 26.

The Ministry of Community Safety completed a review of the city’s community safety officer program Oct. 8. It determined that the bylaw’s arrest provisions had been interpreted and applied beyond the powers granted to the officers through their special constable appointments.

Administration sought legal advice following the ministry’s findings. Legal counsel recommended removing sections 17 through 19, the heading associated with those sections and the definition of “Peace Officer.”

The city says the underlying bylaw and its broader rules would remain in place.

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The report states: “Enforcement of the Bylaw may continue through other available enforcement mechanisms, including notices of violation and summonses.”

Council passed the amendment, Bylaw No. 2179, on April 28, 2025. It added a definition of peace officer that includes bylaw enforcement officers appointed under The Cities Act.

The amendment set out an arrest provision covering contraventions of any part of the bylaw. It referred to reasonable and probable grounds and listed considerations including establishing identity, preserving evidence and preventing offences from continuing, recurring or being committed.

It also provided for an arrested person to be promptly handed over to a regular member of a police agency responsible for policing in Saskatchewan.

A separate provision allowed release if conditions were met concerning the person’s identity, the preservation of evidence and the likelihood of further offences.

Administration recommends council give the proposed repealing bylaw, No. 2207, all three readings and adopt it at Monday’s meeting. The draft says it would take effect upon final passage.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

by battlefordsNOW staff

Province orders North Battleford to halt public intoxication arrests under bylaw

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