November 20-26, 2022, was recently proclaimed National Restorative Justice Week in Saskatchewan by Honorable Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. This week the Saskatoon Police Service recognizes the importance of the contributions made towards supporting restorative practices in our community.
The SPS supports and advocates the diversion of individuals from the justice system through our Alternative Measures and Extrajudicial Sanctions Programs. We work closely with our partners in public prosecutions, integrated justice services and community-based agencies, to ensure we are continuing to evolve and meet the needs of our community through harm reduction, evidence based, and restorative approaches to crime. Restorative Justice Coordinator, Sgt. Erica Weber says “we have seen a marked increase in pre-charge diversion referrals over the past two years, and are confident these numbers will continue to grow. It is important we consider alternatives to the justice system, where appropriate, and support our community-based partners who lead that work.” The Restorative Justice program will continue to grow and expand this work locally, provincially and nationally, by working within multiple systems and multiple jurisdictions.
The SPS has a full-time constable committed to the HUB Table in Saskatoon. The HUB provides immediate, coordinated and integrated response through mobilization of resources to address situations facing individuals and/or families with acutely elevated risk factors. Ultimately, the HUB connects people to supports they may not be aware of or know how to access on their own.
Our Police and Crisis Teams (PACT), pair a police officer with a mental health professional to help direct individuals with mental health issues to appropriate services. They serve individuals who are experiencing mental illness and/or addiction issues and provide real-time response to real-time crisis. The team shares resources and information, thereby improving public and personal safety through collaborative and effective crisis intervention to triage services to appropriate caregivers and service providers outside the justice system.
The Saskatoon Police Service Equity and Cultural Engagement Unit (ECEU) is a supporter of restorative justice in many ways. The ECEU has worked hard over the years to establish and maintain a good relationship with the Indigenous peoples of Saskatoon through the Chief’s Indigenous Elders Advisory Committee, the Indigenous Women and Two Spirit Advisory Circle and by working with various Indigenous groups such as the Saskatoon Tribal Council, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, the Metis Nation Saskatchewan and the Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., just to name a few. Sgt. Weber says “These relationships help guide the SPS to provide services to Indigenous peoples in a more culturally appropriate way.” In addition, the ECEU assists in training members of the SPS to use a Trauma Informed Approach to communicating with the Indigenous peoples of Saskatoon that they interact with. This approach takes into consideration the various traumas that Indigenous peoples have suffered during the history of Canada, that has led to marginalization in our community. By using this approach, SPS members can be more compassionate to the people they serve and provide a more restorative, respectful approach rather than a punitive one.
Find out more about the Saskatoon Police Service Restorative Justice Program here: saskatoonpolice.ca/restorativejustice/