Access to Information / FOIP
The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LA FOIP) is a provincial Act that applies to various public bodies in Saskatchewan, including municipal police. LA FOIP provides for a right of access to records in the possession or control of the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), subject to limited and specific exceptions.
Submitting a FOIP Request
When submitting a request, you must provide:
- Full name
- Current address
- Daytime phone number or email address
- $20.00 access fee
If you are requesting your personal information, you must also supply your date of birth. All personal information requests must be picked up in person, with the exception of those living outside of Saskatoon.
In order to more quickly and accurately process your request, we ask that you provide as much detail as possible about the records you are requesting. This would include dates, timeframes, locations, occurrence number(s), names of involved parties, etc. If your request is unclear you will be contacted by the Access and Privacy Unit to clarify your request.
Requests can be submitted via our Online Form. Alternatively, the Access to Information Request Form can be submitted in person at SPS Headquarters – Criminal Record Checks, by mail, or e-mail.
Submissions by mail must be sent to:
Access and Privacy Unit
Saskatoon Police Service
P.O. BOX 1728
Saskatoon, SK S7K 3R6
E-mail: accessandprivacy@police.saskatoon.sk.ca
| Type of Submission | Payment Options |
|---|---|
| Online Form | Credit card (Visa or Mastercard. American Express and Visa/Mastercard Debit not accepted) |
| Come down to SPS Headquarters to pay the fee with debit, credit, certified cheque or money order at Criminal Record Checks. | |
| Certified cheque or money order made payable to the Saskatoon Police Service. | |
| In Person | Credit, debit, certified cheque or money order at the SPS Headquarters, Criminal Record Checks. |
Personal cheques are not accepted.
Identity Verification
If you request personal information about yourself, we will need to verify your identity to ensure we are giving access to the right person. You will be asked to produce government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. This must be done when picking up the response to your request. If an individual other than yourself is picking up the response to your request, you must notify the Access and Privacy Unit in writing beforehand.
Exceptions to Disclosure
While LA FOIP provides a process to access records, it also protects the privacy of individuals and contains a number of exemptions to disclosure. Some instances in which the SPS may not release records are if the records relate to:
- Information that could harm an ongoing or unsolved investigation, including investigations by our Professional Standards Unit.
- Someone else’s personal information. The SPS will not release information about you to your relatives, friends, neighbors or anyone else without written consent. The SPS reserves the right to neither confirm nor deny the existence of information that relates to someone else if the request is specifically for information about another person or persons.
- Information that could be used to harm members of the SPS or the public.
- Third party information.
- Requests for information, not records. LA FOIP allows for access to records, not information. The SPS is not obliged to compile information if it does not exist as a record.
How Long Does It Take To Process A Request?
LA FOIP provides public bodies up to 30 days to respond to an Access to Information Request. The SPS may extend that time an additional 30 days if the request is particularly complex or involves a large number of records. We receive requests every day and cannot speed up the disclosure process for circumstances such as an upcoming court date.
Requests for Correction to Personal Information
An individual who believes there is an error or omission in a record containing their personal information in the possession or control of the SPS may request that the SPS correct the information. You may make a request for correction by sending a copy of the Correction of Personal Information Request Form or a letter to the SPS Access and Privacy Unit. There is no fee to make a request for correction to your personal information.
Other Requests For Information
- Request for a police information check (security clearance/criminal records): These are processed at the Criminal Record Checks desk. You may contact their office at (306) 975-8305.
- Media requests: Members of the media have the right to request information through the Access to Information process; however these inquiries can often be best facilitated through the SPS Public Affairs Division. Media inquiries may be directed to (306) 657-5655.
- Insurance claims: Insurance organizations may request information relating to a claim to the Access and Privacy Unit outside of the FOIP request process. A $30.00 fee still applies and can be made out to the Saskatoon Police Service.
Contact Information
Access and Privacy Unit
Saskatoon Police Service
P.O. BOX 1728
Saskatoon, SK S7K 3R6
Tel: (306) 975-8259
Appealing a Decision
If you are dissatisfied with the response to your request, you have the right to request a review from the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner. Please visit their website at www.oipc.sk.ca for more information.
Breach of Privacy Complaint
If you feel that your privacy has been breached by a member of the SPS, please contact the Access and Privacy Unit in writing to make a complaint. Please include information such as the time, date, and circumstances surrounding the alleged breach.