The Ministry of Corrections and Policing is giving about $1.6 million to the Saskatchewan RCMP to expand Crime Reduction Teams (CRT).
The CRT initiative in Saskatchewan began last year and will continue with the funding being used for 14 full-time team members. The additional staff will be made up of 10 police officers and four support staff that will establish two permanent CRT’s, one in North Battleford and the other in Prince Albert this fall.
Saskatchewan RCMP says they will continue temporary operation out of the two cities to ensure enforcement continues until the permanent teams are operational. Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell says they look forward to seeing the impact the program will have in rural communities across the province.
“The RCMP has seen great success with this project since they started the CRT as a pilot last February, and we’re happy to support the establishment of these two permanent teams.”
Since the beginning of the pilot program, RCMP executed 193 arrest warrants and 384 Criminal Code charges. The CRT’s will aim to be more visible in rural areas, track chronic offenders, tackle street gang activities and execute arrest warrants.