The Saskatoon Police Service estimates that over 6,000 hours of Officers time has been saved as a result of members of the public filing minor police reports through the online reporting system so far this year.
A total of 8,271 reports have been taken online, saving approximately $330,840. Using an estimate of .75 hours per call, this equates to a savings of 6,203 hours of officers time that would otherwise have been needed to respond to those complaints through a traditional dispatched call.
Citizens have the ability to make online reports in the following categories:
- Identity Theft or Fraudulent Scams
- Theft Under $5000
- Mischief/Willful Damage/Graffiti to Property
- Mischief/Willful Damage/Graffiti to Vehicle
- Lost Property Under $5000
- Harassing Communications
- Theft from Motor Vehicle Under $5000
- Lost/Stolen License Plate
- Supplemental Report
Residents can file reports online at saskatoonpolice.ca, or by downloading the free SPS mobile app for iOS and Android devices. In 2017, computer terminals were also installed in the SPS lobby of the Headquarters building, giving residents a third option to make reports online. This allows complainants to make minor reports rather than waiting in line at the Service Centre.
Online reporting was introduced in February of 2011 as a mechanism to allow people to file non-emergency reports at their convenience as well as reduce the number of dispatched calls for Officers. Since its introduction, the number of residents utilizing the online option has continued to increase.