The Saskatchewan Marshals Service, established by Premier Scott Moe's government to address province-wide policing shortages, is merely recycling officers from other agencies rather than hiring new recruits, according to the opposition.
Opposition raises concerns over officer transfers
Nicole Sarauer, the opposition shadow minister for justice, community safety, and attorney general, stated that the primary purpose of the Marshals Service was to alleviate policing shortages across Saskatchewan. However, she argued that transferring officers from one police force to another does not resolve the underlying issue.
“The whole point of the Saskatchewan Marshals was — apparently — to address policing shortages in the province. But poaching police officers from one police force in this province to another isn’t addressing this issue,” Sarauer said.
Budget meeting reveals low new recruit numbers
According to Sarauer, Community Safety Minister Michael Weger confirmed during a budget estimate meeting that 25 of the 27 active marshals came from other police forces. While a detailed breakdown of the transfers was not provided, Sarauer noted that anecdotally, a large majority originated from agencies within Saskatchewan, including the RCMP and municipal police services. This leaves only two marshals who are new recruits from the Saskatchewan Police College.
“Moving an officer down the highway and giving them a new hat is simply a cover-up for Moe’s inability to meaningfully address crime,” Sarauer said during a June 9 news conference. She emphasized that this situation is particularly concerning in light of recent tragic shootings at Pelican Narrows and Montreal Lake Cree Nation.
Minister defends Marshals Service as support force
In response, Minister Weger issued a statement describing the Marshals Service as a support force rather than a replacement for existing police services.
“Saskatchewan Marshals Service supports and supplements existing police services, including RCMP, First Nation and municipal police services,” Weger said.
Weger acknowledged that, like other policing services across Canada, the Saskatchewan Marshals Service faces challenges in recruiting officers. To address this, the government is investing $4.8 million this year to hire additional marshals.
“This strategic investment in the Marshals ensures more officers patrol critical areas, ensuring Saskatchewan families are safe and secure,” he explained.
Government initiatives to boost policing recruitment
Regarding broader policing shortages, Weger highlighted that the government is taking action to improve recruitment of police officers in the province. This includes spring recruiting drives as part of the “In Saskatchewan, it all lives here” initiative and expanded training at the Saskatchewan Police College.
In 2026, recruit training positions at the college increased to 96, roughly double the historical annual average, Weger noted.
However, these assurances may not satisfy the opposition, which claims that Moe's Marshals have operated on broken promises and at a premium cost to taxpayers.
“When Scott Moe announced the creation of the Marshals Service, he promised he would hire 70 new officers,” Sarauer said. “The Sask. Party promised that their new marshals wouldn’t take resources from other police services in Saskatchewan. Even the Sask. Party’s own ministers and police professionals have spoken out against this.”
