Melfort RCMP pleased to see SHA install security team at hospital

Aug 17, 2026 | 12:19 PM

The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) announcement of additional protective services at hospitals is being welcomed by the Melfort RCMP.

The SHA used contracted security providers in 2025 on a trial basis in communities like Prince Albert, North Battleford, and Lloydminster. The initiative was designed to focus on violence prevention, de-escalation, and using a physical response when necessary, and the initiative became permanent in those three communities.

“The safety of Saskatchewan Health Authority patients and their families, employees, physicians, volunteers, and our communities is our top priority,” Rod MacKenzie, Executive Director, Provincial Clinical and Support Services-Community Care for the Saskatchewan Health Authority said in a news release.

The program has been replicated in Melfort, Nipawin, La Loche, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current, with the Corps of Commissionaires beginning working this month. The SHA said the increase in protective officers across the province is helping to improve safety in their facilities.

Melfort RCMP S. Sgt. Ryan Case told northeastNOW members have been called to the hospital “regularly” to assist staff with various issues.

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“For the most part it’s for people that are under the influence of something, or they’re there because they have nowhere else to go,” explained Case. “A lot of times, the people that are there are unwelcome, and they’re causing a nuisance, and because they’re causing a nuisance, they’re interfering with hospital staff [trying to] do their job.”

Case said the SHA announcement was very much welcomed by the Melfort RCMP, and they have been calling for a security presence at the hospital for some time.

While the presence of security at the hospital won’t alleviate all issues or calls to the RCMP, Case said the security team will be a permanent presence at the facility, which should act as a deterrence. He added that there are many incidents that could be dealt with by security staff and do not require police involvement.

“It does alleviate us of at least some pressure, and we can put our work and efforts into other areas that need our attention,” Case said. “This is something…that we as the RCMP fully support and have been advocating for for quite some time, so it is very much a welcome announcement for us.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Melfort RCMP pleased to see SHA install security team at hospital

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