SASKATOON — Sturgeon Lake First Nation has announced it has passed a band council resolution to begin formal discussions with the Saskatchewan Marshals Service toward a memorandum of understanding for on-reserve services alongside the RCMP.
The resolution was passed at its June 8 meeting. The First Nation is issuing a formal invitation to the Saskatchewan Marshals Service to provide services on Sturgeon Lake First Nation lands in support of the RCMP as the police of jurisdiction and to act proactively on Saskatchewan Marshals Service-led investigations.
An MOU would formalize the relationship and establish a framework for future collaboration focused on safety, security and member well-being, according to the First Nation.
In a news release, Sturgeon Lake Chief Christine Longjohn said the aim is to strengthen public safety, improve communication and build co-ordination between the nation and law enforcement partners.
“Our members deserve a safer community, and that means addressing the real issues we are seeing on the ground — drugs, trespassing, theft and violence,” said Chief Longjohn in a statement. “This resolution allows us to begin formal discussions with the Saskatchewan Marshals Service to strengthen services on reserve, improve co-ordination with the RCMP and ensure enforcement is carried out in a way that respects Sturgeon Lake First Nation.”
Speaking to reporters in Saskatoon Tuesday, Community Safety Minister Michael Weger was asked about the meeting in Sturgeon Lake. He noted the Marshals Service was in Sturgeon Lake the previous day.
“And so the important thing to recognize is the Band Council Resolution is an acknowledgement from Sturgeon Lake that they've been in talks with the Saskatchewan Marshals Service and that they are willing to work with the Saskatchewan Marshals Service, but the real important fact as well is that Saskatchewan Marshal Service is in our province to support the police of jurisdiction," said Weger.
"So the RCMP still remain the police of jurisdiction. This is just an added connection and making sort of relationships with the communities through the Marshal Service to be able to better support the RCMP when called upon.”
– With files from Jon Perez
