A legal amendment from 2021 which came into effect on Jan. 1 has formally established a serious incident response team (SIRT) in Saskatchewan.
The Police Serious Incident Response Team amendment “completes the transition to a civilian-led, independent police oversight body and brings Saskatchewan’s police oversight regime into line with most other Canadian jurisdictions,” says Bronwyn Eyre, minister of justice and attorney general.
Acting under the civilian executive director, SIRT members will investigate matters where serious injury or death may have occurred while in the custody of police, as a result of the actions of a police officer, or where sexual assault or interpersonal violence involving police are alleged.
Other investigations may also be conducted where the executive director believes they are in the public interest. SIRT can also take charge of an ongoing investigation at any stage.
Summaries of SIRT investigations will be published online.