REGINA — The Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS) is developing a Specialized Response Unit (SRU) equipped with an array of tactical police equipment, including sniper rifles, multi-shot launchers, ballistic shields, night-vision equipment, remotely operated hydraulic breaching tools and a Long Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD.
SMS said the need for the Specialized Response Unit was identified when the force was created and has been incorporated into its existing 70-member workforce.
“The SRU will require tactical police equipment and capabilities to safely respond to the range of high-risk situations that may arise within the SMS mandate,” said a spokesperson from the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.
But the SRU hasn’t been deployed yet.
“The SRU is in the early stages of development, and the number of officers required has not yet been determined,” said the service.
The Marshals Service was created to focus on high-risk individuals, prolific offenders, and people wanted on outstanding warrants. It also supports the RCMP, First Nations and municipal police services in Saskatchewan.
The service said the SRU will be a unit within the Marshals Service and will provide tactical support to Marshals members as well as existing law-enforcement organizations in the province.
The Marshals Service didn’t provide quantities, specifications or other details about the equipment being sought, saying the procurement is an active competition.
“As this is an active procurement process, we are unable to comment on the procurement details to protect the integrity of the RFP competition/process,” said the Marshals Service.
Questions about LRAD unanswered
The Marshals Service was asked why a provincial fugitive apprehension service requires an LRAD, what operational situations it would be used for, how many units are being sought, and what maximum sound output is specified.
It was also asked under what circumstances officers could direct the device at an individual or group, what safeguards would prevent hearing damage or other injuries, whether warnings would be required before potentially harmful sound levels were used, and whether the government had conducted a health, safety or human-rights assessment of the proposed use.
But the service didn’t provide specific answers to those questions.
Instead, it said communication devices such as an LRAD are used based on the circumstances of each incident.
An LRAD is a specialized directional loudspeaker, also known as a “sound cannon” that has been used as a method of crowd control and has been known to cause permanent hearing damage.
The RCMP has previously said it doesn’t use LRADs as crowd-control tools. It uses the LRAD in non-urban operational contexts, such as marine/water security operations, rather than public demonstrations.
A search didn’t turn up any recent policy updates, or official statements saying the RCMP has changed its policy.
Late Thursday afternoon, Saskatchewan RCMP was asked if the RCMP uses LRADs and a spokesperson said that is a question for RCMP National Headquarters, but offered to check with them. At publication time, the RCMP had not provided that information.
LRADs were used at the 2022 Ottawa convoy protest by the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).
During testimony at the Public Hearing of the Public Order Emergency Commission in October 2022, OPS Supt. Robert Bernier said the LRAD was used only to deliver messages loudly.
Less lethal options
The Marshals Service said multi-shot launchers are among a range of less-lethal options available to members who are training to manage high-risk situations.
“Use is determined by the circumstances of each incident and in accordance with legislative requirements and standards set out by the Saskatchewan Police Commission,” said the service.
SMS didn’t identify the type of multi-shot launcher they were seeking, or specify what projectiles or ammunition it would fire.
It also didn’t provide details about the number of launchers or sniper rifles included in the competition.
The service said acquisition of equipment is based on operational requirements, foreseeable risks, legislative requirements and standards established by the Saskatchewan Police Commission, as well as the need to maintain operational readiness.
Equipment purchases will be funded through the existing Marshals Service budget.
“Members will be required to complete the appropriate training and qualification requirements before being authorized to use specialized equipment,” said the service. “Training will be conducted in accordance with legislative requirements.”
Oversight
The Marshals Service said oversight of the specialized equipment and its use is provided by their Use of Force Committee, the Saskatchewan Police Commission and the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT).
“All provincial and municipal police services in Saskatchewan are required to report use-of-force incidents to the Saskatchewan Police Commission, which reports publicly on this information,” said the service. “Tactical deployment procedures and methodologies will not be publicly released in accordance with privacy legislation and operational security considerations.”
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