According to data released by the RCMP union, 78 per cent of Saskatchewan residents are satisfied with RCMP policing, including those in rural areas.(Gillian Massie/CJME)

By CJME

Marshall Service

Survey shows Sask. supports RCMP, concerned with Marshals Service

Oct 17, 2024 | 7:41 AM

New data show people across Saskatchewan support the RCMP, and have concerns about the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.

The survey was released by the National Police Federation, a union representing roughly 20,000 RCMP officers.

According to the public opinion research which surveyed 1,000 adults in late August:

• 78 per cent of those surveyed are satisfied with the policing provided by the RCMP; and
• More than 3 in 4 of those surveyed feel there are more important priorities to deal with than establishing a new Marshals Service.

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service – which is expected to be operational in 2026 – will be a full police force, and is being created to fill in gaps, particularly in rural areas, and assist other police forces with difficult, time-consuming investigations.

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The Marshals Service has been a hot topic in the provincial election campaign.

Scott Moe said his Saskatchewan Party would hire 100 new municipal officers and add 70 more through the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.

NDP leader Carla Beck said if she’s elected premier, she will scrap the Marshals Service.

The service is expected to cost $20 million per year once operational. Beck said she would use those dollars to hire more Mounties and expand detox services.

In April, the provincial government and the RCMP inked an agreement that would see the province fund hundreds more officers if the Mounties could recruit to fill those positions.

According to the union, the need for more officers in the province is urgent, as response times are too high.

“This recent public opinion research shows that increased resources for existing police services, including the Saskatchewan RCMP, as well as reducing response times is a priority for Saskatchewanians now: it cannot wait until 2026,” Brian Sauvé, the union’s president, said in a statement.

“We have highly trained RCMP Members throughout Saskatchewan who are already deployed and are well-respected in their communities. Let’s give them the tools and resources they need to better serve the people of Saskatchewan, which is what a majority of residents indicate they want to see happen.”

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service has already been allocated $14 million in start-up costs, and the RCMP union said this was done without consultation or engagement with the communities it intends to serve.

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