Saskatchewan RCMP weekly report – May 8-14, 2023

Weekly Report: Monday, May 8 to Sunday, May 14, 2023, inclusive.

Please note all information below occurred within the time period above, unless otherwise noted.

Saskatchewan RCMP — Your Provincial Police Service

Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, Commanding Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP sends a message in celebration of National Police Week

This week, the Saskatchewan RCMP will be celebrating National Police Week, which provides an opportunity to showcase and acknowledge the outstanding work of all categories of employees.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police have chosen “Committed to Serve” as the theme of this year’s National Police Week.

The Saskatchewan RCMP has become a leader in our organization when it comes to modernization efforts – due in part to the creation of the Divisional Innovation Committee which identifies, assesses and implements new technologies and procedures to increase efficiencies and enhancements so we are able to provide the best policing service possible. We have continued steps towards Reconciliation by standing up the Saskatchewan RCMP Reconciliation Committee and starting the Indigenous Recruiting Unit, who in February and March hosted three-day recruiting events – the first of their kind in the country. While all of these (and many more) initiatives are being developed behind the scenes, officers and employees around the province continue to provide exceptional frontline service, all while facing staffing shortages – a pressure, among others, that does not go unnoticed.

In tandem with our success and steadfastness, particularly in the face of adversity, we’ve been delivered a number of challenges and tragedies within the Division in the last year. We’ve endured the devastating loss of colleagues across the country, killed in the line of duty; complex gang and drug-related investigations that are compounded by a number of other issues; and, the mass casualty homicides on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, Saskatchewan, to name just a few…

Whether it be on the frontlines or behind the scenes, I am thankful for the work of our employees who continue to make a positive impact in communities across Saskatchewan. I am always in awe of their commitment to continued exceptional service and growth within our organization. I am regularly reminded by our stakeholders, partners, fellow police agencies, and the people we serve about the incredible things our employees are doing, the impact they are having and the change they are making.

Lastly, to our news agency partners, who continue to play an important role to help our stories reach every corner of the province – thank you for working with us and for giving us an opportunity to talk about our commitment to keeping the people of Saskatchewan, safe.

Sincerely,

Rhonda

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Saskatchewan RCMP continues to assist communities affected by wildfires

Last week, a group of officers from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Tactical Support Group travelled to Alberta to assist Alberta RCMP as fires threatened communities in the province’s northwest region. Our officers patrolled in and around evacuated communities to provide police visibility and deter criminal activity. They returned from duties in Alberta late last week.

Over the weekend, a wildfire southeast of Dillon, SK led to the full evacuation of the communities of Buffalo River Dene Nation, St. George’s Hill and Michel Village, and of vulnerable residents in Buffalo Narrows. Visibility on the roads in the area has been poor due to smoke, and Buffalo Narrows RCMP accompanied buses carrying evacuees until they were out of the affected area. Highway #155, between Buffalo Narrows and Ile a la Crosse, is closed as of the time of publication and Ile a la Crosse RCMP are assisting with redirecting traffic. Officers are proactively patrolling evacuated communities to ensure they remain safe and secure. Both Buffalo Narrows and Ile a la Crosse RCMP continue to monitor the fire and are in frequent contact with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) and community leadership.

Hot, dry conditions continue and as we move into the long weekend, Saskatchewan RCMP urges everyone to be mindful of current fire bans. Be cautious if you do light a fire for camping or cooking, if you are disposing of cigarettes or if you are driving or parking any type of vehicle off-road.

Investigative Recap

Ongoing missing person investigations. Saskatchewan RCMP continues to ask for public assistance locating the following missing individuals:

• Seth Deschambeault – Prince Albert Detachment area
• Malcolm Custer – Smeaton Detachment area
• Shequille “Shack” Gamble – Big River Detachment area
• Jesse Dionne – Cumberland House Detachment area
• Merle Wolfe – Onion Lake Detachment area
• Sadie Lameman – Onion Lake Detachment area

May 10: Outlook RCMP respond to fatal motor vehicle collision

May 10: Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes investigate discovery of human remains

May 12: At approximately 8:45 a.m., Loon Lake RCMP received of report of an assault near a clinic on Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation. Investigation determined a female, who was armed with a knife, assaulted an adult male, who was treated by EMS at the scene for injuries described as non-life-threatening. The female remained at the scene and was not allowing people to access the clinic. Officers immediately responded and located the female, who was distraught and not cooperating with attempts to bring her into custody without risk to the safety of herself, officers and bystanders. An officer deployed a conducted energy device and she was then safely taken into custody and assessed by medical personnel.

As a result of investigation, the 34-year-old female was charged with: one count, aggravated assault, Section 268, Criminal Code; one count, assault on police officer with weapon, Section 270.01(2), Criminal Code; one count, assault with weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code; and one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(2), Criminal Code. She will make her next court appearance in Loon Lake on July 27, 2023 (Information #90487789).

May 13: At approximately 12:30 a.m., Black Lake RCMP received the report of a 21-year-old male who sustained serious injuries from apparent stab wounds. Officers responded immediately and began conducting witness interviews and following-up on information provided to them. Initial investigation by police determined there were three individuals involved in the physical assault which took place in close proximity to a school in Black Lake. The male was released from hospital the following day.

Black Lake RCMP arrested two males ages 14 and 32, and a 17-year-old female, in Black Lake on May 13. All were charged with one count of Aggravated Assault, contrary to Sec. 268 of the Criminal Code. The youth cannot be identified in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Information # 90505786, Y356274, Y356275.

May 13: At approximately 11:45 p.m., Spiritwood RCMP received a report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision at the intersection of Highways 24 and 945. The pedestrian, a 37-year-old male from Pelican Lake First Nation, was declared deceased by EMS at the scene.  His family has been notified. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene of the collision. No charges have been laid. Spiritwood RCMP continue to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.

Incidents in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction May 8 to 14, 2023

Please note: the statistics below are representative of reports received within the Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. They are from the RCMP records management system and are accurate as the day they are collected. Crime statistics are regularly updated due to changes in reporting procedures, changes in ongoing investigations, etc. As a result, the statistics below may differ from previous or future published reports.