The Saskatchewan police watchdog says a Saskatoon police officer has been arrested and charged with assault following an incident at an off-duty event.
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) said in an Oct. 30 report that it had “reasonable grounds” to believe an offence was committed by a Saskatoon police officer, following an investigation that began in September 2024.
The organization said it was notified of the incident by the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) on Sept. 19, five days after the off-duty gathering took place. SIRT said its civilian executive director noted the issue was within the organization’s mandate and directed that an investigation be conducted.
The organization said it interviewed nine civilians and 23 SPS officers as witnesses during the investigation. Investigators say they also reviewed audio, video, and documentary evidence.
The investigation was completed in January, and on Feb. 20 the results were provided to the Attorney General of Saskatchewan, SIRT said.
The Attorney General’s office contacted SIRT on Oct. 20, and the Saskatoon police officer was arrested on Oct. 30. The officer has since been released is expected to appear in court on Nov. 27.
Five constables with the SPS were suspended after the off-duty gathering in September 2024. Three of those officers were dismissed last month. The other two officers returned to work in April 2025.
Following what the SPS called “a lengthy investigation” by SPS Professional Standards, those three officers were deemed “unsuitable for police service” under 1990 The Police Act.
SPS Chief of Police Cam McBride said the decision to dismiss the officers demonstrated “that no one is above the expectations of this organization or the trust placed in us by the community.”
“The decision to dismiss a police officer is never made lightly, but is necessary when the conduct falls short of the standards our community expects and deserves,” McBride said.
Police have not released the names of any of the officers involved in the incident.
SIRT said it is mandated to independently investigate incidents with police officers where an individual has died or suffered serious injury.
“As this matter is now before the courts, no additional information can be provided at this time,” SIRT said after releasing its October report.
