By CHIEF ROBERT DUTTCHEN, Corman Park Police Service
On the morning of March 30, Corman Park Police Service (CPPS) responded to a report of a vehicle stuck in a field in the area of Range Road 3063 and Township Road 392. The officer confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Saskatoon. A search of the area for the occupants met with negative results. The vehicle was removed by a towing company and the owner was notified. Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) was also advised of the recovery. Vehicle thefts from the city are often recovered in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park, as thieves use remote secondary roads for joyriding and to avoid police detection on the main highways.
Later that same evening, CPPS was patrolling Township Road 374 when a passing motorist flagged the officer down. The driver reported that a tow truck was blocking the entire road while attempting to pull a vehicle out of a nearby field. CPPS attended and confirmed that a driver had lost control of their truck and ended up in the field. The situation was made worse when the driver tried to navigate out of the field, only to bury the vehicle deeper. Police identified the driver, who was found to be suspended. The driver was issued an offence notice, and CPPS assisted with traffic control while the vehicle was extricated.
On March 31, CPPS responded to assist the RCMP at a commercial vehicle rollover on Highway 12. At the direction of RCMP, CPPS administered an oral fluid test on the driver, which was negative for drug impairment. CPPS remained at the scene and assisted with traffic control. Providing assistance to the RCMP remains a cornerstone of CPPS’ commitment to being a collaborative partner, supporting the RCMP whenever and wherever possible.
Shortly before 10:00 p.m. that same day, a CPPS member on patrol observed a vehicle with multiple visible equipment defects. A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver was observed to be wearing a Canadian Forces Decoration. This is an official military decoration and may only lawfully be worn by the person to whom it was awarded. As every Canadian decoration is engraved with the name of the recipient, police were able to confirm that the decoration did not belong to the driver. The suspect was arrested for possession of property obtained by crime and unlawful use of a military decoration. The accused was issued an inspection ticket in relation to his vehicle, an offence notice, and an appearance notice to attend provincial court.
Shortly after midnight on April 1, a CPPS officer noticed a black SUV with irregular licence plates turn into a private yard off Highway 219. The officer stopped the vehicle to check on the occupants and found that one passenger was wanted by the Outlook RCMP for several outstanding matters. Further investigation revealed that the individual was also breaching a court‑ordered curfew and was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of arrest. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment, where she was safely held until sober and released later that morning on conditions to appear in court. This incident serves as a reminder that proactive patrols and community vigilance continue to play an important role in keeping rural areas safe from trespassing and other offences.
Later that same day, around 5:00 p.m., police attended an address on Township Road 380 in an attempt to locate a male wanted by CPPS in relation to numerous outstanding warrants under the Traffic Safety Act. On arrival at the rural property, the suspect—who was known to police—was observed in the yard. The accused was arrested, processed, and released at the scene with a date to appear in court.
On the evening of April 4, around 9:00 p.m., CPPS responded to an RCMP broadcast of an impaired driver travelling northbound on Highway 219 toward the City of Saskatoon. Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on Circle Drive. The driver exhibited multiple signs of impairment and a demand for a roadside screening device was made. The driver registered a “fail” and was placed under arrest. The suspect was then conveyed to the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment, where he provided two breath samples with readings of 160 mg% and 150 mg%. The accused was charged with impaired driving and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 mg%. He was issued an indefinite licence suspension and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Around 5:00 p.m. on April 5, CPPS received an Automated Licence Plate Reader alert in relation to a vehicle on file as stolen. Police initiated a strategic follow and requested additional resources. The vehicle proceeded down Adilman Drive, where a high‑risk vehicle stop was conducted on the dead‑end road. The driver was determined to be the registered owner, who confirmed that his vehicle had been stolen in October but recovered four days later. Stolen vehicles are taken very seriously by police, and owners are reminded that if you recover your stolen vehicle yourself, it is imperative that you notify police so it can be removed from all police databases as stolen.
DISTRACTED DRIVING
April is Distracted Driving Month. The CPPS will be conducting multiple days of enforcement targeting drivers who use handheld devices while driving their vehicles. In Saskatchewan, a first distracted driving ticket for using a cellphone behind the wheel is $580 and comes with four demerit points, with much steeper penalties for repeat offences within a year, including fines over $1,000 and even seven‑day vehicle seizures for subsequent violations. Drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing program face an absolute ban on any cellphone use while driving and can also face additional licensing consequences if they are caught.
The goal of this enforcement is not just to issue tickets, but to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by drivers who take their eyes and attention off the road.
“Distracted? We’re Not. CPPS Is Actively Enforcing Distracted Driving Laws.”