By CHIEF ROBERT DUTTCHEN, Corman Park Police Service
On the evening of June 16, a Corman Park Police Service (CPPS) member was patrolling the area of Grasswood Road and Highway 219 when his attention was drawn to a vehicle on Highway 219. A traffic stop was initiated, and a strong odour of marijuana was smelled emanating from within the vehicle. The officer screened the driver for drug impairment and she passed. One of the passengers was observed to be smoking unstamped tobacco. A search of the vehicle subsequently revealed open alcohol and a quantity of methamphetamine. The alcohol was poured out at the roadside, a number of offence notices were issued, and the drugs were seized for destruction.
Just before 4:00 p.m. on June 17, a CPPS member was on patrol in a vehicle equipped with an Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) system. The system alerted him to a vehicle whose registered owner was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant. A traffic stop was initiated, and it was confirmed that the registered owner was driving. The warrant from the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) was executed, and the driver was released on a notice to appear in court at the direction of SPS. ALPR technology greatly enhances members’ ability to detect unregistered vehicles, unlicensed drivers, people with outstanding warrants, and other subjects of interest. The system queries all vehicles automatically — faster and more accurately than an officer could manually. It is a significant asset to patrol efficiency.
Shortly before midnight that same day, a CPPS member was transiting Saskatoon when he observed a vehicle travelling the wrong way on 51st Street. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was determined to be from out of town and disoriented. While dealing with the driver, the member noted that a passenger was not wearing a seatbelt. The passenger was identified and police computer checks confirmed he was wanted on a warrant from the Prince Albert RCMP detachment. The suspect was processed and released for a future court appearance at the direction of the RCMP watch NCO. Traffic stops routinely result in arrests for reasons unrelated to the initial reason for the stop. This is why traffic enforcement remains an critical element of CPPS policing activities.
Around the dinner hour on June 18, a CPPS member observed three cyclists riding on Highway 219 in the vicinity of Cartwright Street. The youth were riding contrary to the Traffic Safety Act and were a danger to themselves and passing motorists. As the officer spoke with the group, one of them fled. After a short foot pursuit, the youth was apprehended — and the reason for his flight quickly became apparent: outstanding warrants. The youth was found to be under the influence of methamphetamine, in breach of his probation conditions, and subject to active warrants. He was conveyed to the Saskatoon RCMP detachment, where he was held for a bail hearing.
Later that same evening, a CPPS member on patrol in the vicinity of Valley Road and Township Road 352 received an ALPR hit for a suspended driver. A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver was found to not only be suspended, but to hold only a learner’s permit and was operating the vehicle without a supervising driver present. As a result, the driver was issued an offence notice, and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
On that same evening, police attended a report of a suspicious vehicle on Highway 11, where the driver displayed signs of alcohol impairment. A demand for a breath sample was made, and after providing a sample to an approved screening device (ASD), the driver registered an “Alert” reading. As a result, the driver was issued a 60-day licence suspension for operating the vehicle with a minor present and a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 40 mg%. The driver and the minor were turned over to the care of a responsible adult.
Just before midnight, still on June 18, police attended a report of a fight in the vicinity of Highway 11 and Township Road 381. By the time police arrived, only one person remained on scene. Police investigation revealed the male was the subject of an arrest warrant for multiple weapons offences in Saskatoon. At the direction of the SPS duty supervisor, the suspect was conveyed to SPS for processing and a disposition before a hearing officer.
On June 20, a traffic stop was initiated on Highway 219 in relation to the manner of driving of the vehicle. At the roadside, a CPPS member formed the opinion that the driver was impaired by a drug. A demand for an oral fluid sample was made, which resulted in a positive reading for cannabis. The driver was issued a three-day licence suspension, and her vehicle was impounded for the same period.
Just after midnight on June 21, CPPS responded to an RCMP radio broadcast regarding a vehicle and domestic assault suspect who had fled the scene of an assault and was believed to be travelling on Highway 16. Our member located the vehicle on the highway in the vicinity of Floral Road, and a traffic stop ensued. The driver was confirmed as the assault suspect and taken into custody. He was also found to be impaired. The RCMP attended and took custody of the driver. The vehicle’s passenger was also found to be intoxicated and was taken into custody as well. Both individuals were conveyed to the Saskatoon detachment for processing and were released the following morning once sober and able to care for themselves.
Langham Days took place June 21–22 in the Town of Langham. CPPS was well represented, with Cst. Gordon leading the parade while Sgt. Fraser and I handed out candies and CPPS tattoos to the kids. We also had the pleasure of meeting Gabriel and Lily — two very friendly donkeys — who served as a perfect reminder of the unique and enjoyable nature of small-town policing in Saskatchewan. It was a beautiful day, and the town came out in full force. This was also the first event where CPPS members donned their Campaign Headdress. The black Smithbilt Stetsons are a visible part of CPPS’s commitment to reflecting the small-town and rural Saskatchewan character of our police service.