Regina police receive provincial funding

The Regina Police Service (RPS) has received funding to help with a number of its programs, including those dealing with gang activity and child pornography.

The provincial government announced that it had provided $4.86 million to Regina’s police through the Municipal Police Grants program. The money previously was announced in the 2019 budget, but further details were revealed Monday.

The grant to the RPS will help fund 40 existing jobs.

“Protecting residents is a collaborative effort,” Minister of Corrections and Policing Christine Tell said in a media release. “We are proud to able to support the Regina Police Service and the work it does to ensure community safety.”

Some of the money provided to the RPS will go to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, which deals with gang activity in the city. Other funding is earmarked for the Internet Child Exploitation unit.

“Public safety is a top priority for our residents, particularly as we deal with an increase in drug and weapons offences,” Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said in the release.

“The province’s continued support in maintaining these positions helps us ensure Regina is a safe community and furthers our work to find the most strategic, efficient ways to serve and protect our residents.”

A further $900,000 was provided to the RPS by SGI, which is to pay for five positions in the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan initiative.