SASKATOON — Corman Park Police Service Chief Robert A. Duttchen says policing has greatly evolved since he joined the force more than two decades ago, becoming more technical and resource-intensive.
That is why the government’s $190,000 Small Town and Rural Police Services Grant Program will be a big help to local police officers in protecting the safety and security of residents in the rural municipalities where they serve.
Community Safety Minister Michael Weger made the funding announcement, which is part of the 2026-27 fiscal year, on Wednesday, April 8, at the Rural Municipality of Corman Park’s office in Saskatoon. Aside from Saskatoon, Martensville and Warman are the cities in Corman Park.
CPPS will receive $110,000 to support 11 officers. The rest will be allocated to the police services of Vanscoy ($30,000 for three officers), Dalmeny and Wilton ($20,000 for two officers each), and Luseland ($10,000 for one officer).
“When I started in policing in 2000, you went to work with your body armour under your shirt. Every piece of equipment that you needed fit on your gun belt, and you basically learned a little bit of first aid,” said Duttchen, who added officers now wear body armour externally.
“My officers now carry a drone, an oral fluid screening device to screen drug-impaired drivers, they carry approved devices to do roadside screening for alcohol, and they carry Quick Plot to treat someone who suffered a traumatic wound, chest seals, and tourniquets, to deal with severe trauma.”
Duttchen said officers now also train in using rifles and shotguns, since they carry them during patrol, and in using automated external defibrillators in their cars. All equipment has a life cycle and a replacement cost.
“That's all the stuff that has been introduced in the last 26 years. We want our officers to be capable, competent and able to use every tool at their disposal. But we have to continue resupplying the tools we have, developing the officers and scanning the police universe to see what else is out there.
“Trends and technologies are evolving. Obviously, we're working to improve things for residents, whether or not this money comes. I'm aiming to make the RM safer through the way we deploy our officers through proactive policing and through strategic initiatives.”
He added that this also allows for a more flexible approach to strategic initiatives in the field, something he hopes has improved for Corman Park residents since he assumed office in December. The money will help accelerate further improvements in policing initiatives.
Duttchen said he will propose a plan to the police commission, which will review it and either approve it or make revisions after considering other strategic priorities as part of its financial and fiduciary oversight of the CPPS.
Weger said the STAR grant funding is part of the province’s recognition of the unique nature of rural policing, describing it as deeply personal and community-driven. He highlighted that officers in rural areas are closely connected to the people and places they serve.
He said the government wants rural police services to feel supported and valued, which is part of STAR’s initiatives to provide dedicated, flexible funding for rural law enforcement and to help communities respond to growth and evolving safety needs.
RM of Corman Park Reeve Joe Hargrave said the money will have a significant impact in rural areas, especially on police services, which, despite being small in number, remain dedicated to serving residents of their local communities.
He highlighted Corman Park’s scale, which spans more than 2,000 kilometres of roads, and its continued growth, which has intensified demand for expanded policing capacity, while the RM continues to push for long-term, sustained support from the province.
