By CHIEF ROBERT A. DUTTCHEN
Corman Park Police Service
Shortly before 11:00 am on June 3, Corman Park Police Service (CPPS) officers responded to assist the RCMP with a two-vehicle collision on Highway 11 near Township Road 384. CPPS assisted with traffic control while the RCMP led the investigation. It was determined that one of the drivers had suffered a medical episode, causing them to lose control of their vehicle, cross the median, and strike a vehicle travelling in the opposite lane. Both vehicles were severely damaged. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
That was only the beginning. Later that same evening, CPPS stopped a vehicle travelling on Highway 12 in the vicinity of Township Road 384. The vehicle had obvious equipment regulation violations — enough to justify a closer look. At the roadside, the officer observed signs of drug impairment in the driver and made a demand for an oral fluid sample. The approved screening device returned a positive result for both cannabis and cocaine. It was the driver’s second offence. Their licence was suspended for 120 days and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
The stop yielded more. The vehicle’s registered owner was also a passenger and was found to be the subject of an outstanding warrant. A second passenger was asked to identify himself and provided a false name. Using police databases, the officer identified the individual and confirmed he too was wanted on an outstanding warrant. Both individuals were processed and given court appearance dates. The three were transported to a nearby municipality, where they arranged for a taxi.
This incident is another example of how traffic enforcement of equipment violations routinely leads to far more than a traffic ticket.
In the early evening of June 4, police initiated a stop of a vehicle on Highway 16 just east of Saskatoon based on the manner in which it was being operated. At the roadside, the CPPS officer formed the opinion that the driver was impaired by drugs and made a demand for an oral fluid sample. The approved screening device returned a positive result for cocaine. The driver’s licence was suspended for three days and the vehicle was impounded for the same period.
Later that same evening, CPPS attended Highway 11 in the vicinity of the Warman CNR overpass, where Dalmeny Police Service officers were with a male found lying at the side of the road. CPPS took custody of the individual and determined he was in breach of his curfew, in violation of conditions requiring him to reside in Winnipeg, and was wanted by the Flin Flon RCMP Detachment. Manitoba RCMP requested he be held and returned on the strength of the warrant. The suspect was conveyed to the Saskatoon RCMP Detachment and subsequently remanded to the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre to await his return to Manitoba.
In the early morning hours of June 5th, CPPS officers stopped a vehicle travelling northbound on Highway 12 in the vicinity of Township Road 380. As the officer approached, the vehicle fled. CPPS requested the assistance of the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Aerial Support Unit — their patrol aircraft, Air1, was airborne and located the vehicle. While Air1 surveilled from above, the occupants were observed throwing a firearm from the vehicle. RCMP, who had also responded, recovered a Ruger 10-22. The vehicle continued driving about the RM until a second CPPS unit got into position and successfully deployed a spike belt. The vehicle limped into the city, where three occupants fled on foot. Two of the three were taken into custody by SPS. CPPS is fortunate to work alongside both the SPS and RCMP — this incident is a clear demonstration that collaboration is a force multiplier.
Around 1:30 am, police were patrolling the RM in the vicinity of the Saskatoon airport, near Range Road 3060 and Township Road 372, when a vehicle was located parked at the side of the road with a lone occupant. The male in the driver’s seat showed signs of impairment by alcohol. A demand for a breath sample was made, and the approved screening device returned a “fail.” Due to resourcing limitations and the absence of a breathalyzer, the subject was processed administratively — receiving a three-day licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
Later that same evening, a CPPS member transiting on Circle Drive observed a vehicle travelling at an excessive rate of speed with no lights on. A traffic stop was initiated. At the roadside, police observed cannabis containers and detected the odour of beverage alcohol on the driver. A breath demand was made, and this driver also registered a “fail” on the approved screening device. Once again, resourcing prevented the driver from being taken for a formal breath test. The driver’s licence status, however, allowed for a 30-day licence suspension — the vehicle was impounded for 33 days, and the driver was issued four tickets related to his manner of driving.
On June 7, around 2:00 am, RCMP dispatch broadcast a report of an impaired driver operating a vehicle on Highway 12 in the vicinity of Township Road 381. CPPS located the vehicle and initiated a stop. The driver displayed signs of impairment by alcohol and a demand for a breath sample was made. The approved screening device returned an “alert” result. The driver received a 60-day licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for three days.
This past Saturday marked the Saskatchewan Mothers Against Drunk Driving Annual Memorial Service — and I was saddened by the volume of impaired drivers we encountered over the same week. If you have used drugs or consumed alcohol and then get behind the wheel, you are gambling with your life and the lives of everyone else on the road. If you choose to use drugs or alcohol, choose not to drink and drive. The life you