Saskatchewan Marshals say no tactical purchases committed as new unit faces scrutiny

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The Saskatchewan NDP’s Hugh Gordon speaks outside of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency in Saskatoon on Millar Avenue in Saskatoon on Aug. 17, 2026. (Image Credit: Libby Gray/650 CKOM)

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Saskatchewan Marshals say no tactical purchases committed as new unit faces scrutiny

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The Marshals Service was unable to accommodate an interview with battlefordsNOW but said in a written response that no specific equipment has been selected or committed to for purchase.

The service said the RFP does not bind it to enter into a contract or buy any of the listed items. Instead, the process is being used to gather information about supplier availability, potential costs and delivery timelines.

SMS said its mandate carries an inherent risk that marshals apprehending wanted people could encounter individuals who are violent, armed or otherwise present an increased safety risk.

What remains unclear is what additional operational role the proposed unit would fill.

Asked what the SRU would do that existing RCMP or municipal tactical teams cannot already provide, SMS said the unit is in the “very early stages of development” and no decisions have been made.

The unit is expected to form part of the service’s planned complement of 70 active-duty officers. SMS currently has 27 sworn members across Saskatchewan.

While the future role of the SRU remains under development, the service’s first presentation to North Battleford council Aug. 17 provided a clearer picture of what its officers are doing in the Battlefords.

Inspector Sebastian Andrews of the Battlefords regional headquarters told council high-risk and active warrants are the local team’s priority.

“One of our main concerns that we deal with as the marshals, especially [in] North Battleford, is high-risk and active warrants. That is our priority right now,” Andrews said.

The service’s June report, covering its early operations beginning May 20, recorded 70 arrest attempts and eight arrests.

Andrews told council the numbers have since grown to 316 arrest attempts and 40 arrests, along with 112 condition and curfew checks.

SMS said those arrested were wanted for offences including failing to attend court, failing to comply with court-ordered conditions and other Criminal Code matters. Several were also facing underlying charges involving violent and sexual offences.

The figures come against a much larger outstanding-warrant workload in the Battlefords.

Battlefords RCMP commander Insp. Ryan How said the detachment typically has about 500 arrest warrants in its system at any given time and has generated more than 11,000 files so far in 2026.

Dozens of warrants are executed each week, How said, but more are added as new offences are committed and people fail to appear in court. The detachment has reduced the number of outstanding warrants by 17 per cent over the past year, which he said speaks to increased RCMP staffing.

How said the Marshals Service adds another resource for pursuing people who remain outside the court process.

“The work by the Saskatchewan Marshal Service will definitely contribute to ensuring offenders that are evading police, or have fallen outside the court process, are brought into custody and their matters back before the courts,” How said.

Andrews told council the Marshals Service’s project-based model allows its officers to remain focused on warrant investigations and surveillance while conventional police may have to redirect officers to urgent calls.

He said that work can take considerable time. SMS said several attempts, including checks at different addresses, may be required to locate one person because people wanted on warrants can actively avoid police.

The RCMP remains Saskatchewan’s provincial police service of jurisdiction, while marshals have police authority across the province. Andrews said that allows the Battlefords team to pursue wanted people into surrounding municipalities and First Nations when they move between communities.

The North Battleford operation currently consists of Andrews and four marshals. He told council a sergeant is expected to join the team, with a longer-term goal of building two teams of eight officers.

For now, the local operation has a defined focus on warrants, offender monitoring and supporting existing police. SMS has yet to detail exactly what additional operational role its proposed Specialized Response Unit would fill.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com