By CHIEF ROBERT DUTTCHEN
Corman Park Police Service
In the early evening hours of May 18, a Corman Park Police Service (CPPS) officer located a male in a broken-down vehicle on Highway 7 near Highway 60. The male was displaying signs of drug intoxication and provided police with a false name. A check of police databases allowed officers to identify the accused and determine he was the subject of multiple arrest warrants from jurisdictions across Saskatchewan, and that he was in breach of his court-imposed conditions. When the officer attempted to place the suspect in handcuffs, he resisted and fled on foot into an adjacent field. After a protracted chase, police were able to tackle the suspect and take him into custody. He was transported to the Saskatoon RCMP detachment, where he was held for a disposition before a Hearing Officer.
In the hours after midnight on May 19, CPPS was assisting the RCMP in the vicinity of Asquith in relation to a driving incident. The victim pointed out a vehicle he alleged had been chasing him. A traffic stop was conducted on the suspect vehicle, and the driver displayed signs of impairment by beverage alcohol. A roadside screening test returned an “Alert” reading, resulting in a 3-day licence suspension and vehicle impound.
Around 6:00 p.m. that same day, police stopped a 30-year-old woman for her manner of driving. Police computer checks revealed she was the subject of multiple outstanding warrants issued by the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS). After consulting with the on-duty SPS supervisor, the suspect was conveyed to SPS and turned over to the detention unit for a disposition before a Hearing Officer.
Later that same evening, CPPS was monitoring traffic on Highway 12 in the vicinity of Township Road 380 when a vehicle’s erratic driving caught the patrolling officer’s attention. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver displayed obvious signs of drug impairment, resulting in an oral fluid demand being made. The test returned a positive result for cocaine, and this was the driver’s third offence. As a result, she received a 90-day licence suspension and her vehicle was impounded for 14 days. In Saskatchewan, administrative penalties increase for second and subsequent offences, including longer driving prohibitions and vehicle impoundment periods.
Still on May 19, CPPS responded to a report of trespassing in the vicinity of Range Road 3065 and Township Road 374. Officers arrived to find an intoxicated male trespassing on private property. On seeing police arrive, the suspect fled on foot and made his way to Highway 11, where he proceeded to attempt to jump in front of passing vehicles. Police were eventually able to take the male into custody. Fortunately, passing motorists were alert and avoided what could have been a serious collision. The suspect was conveyed to the Saskatoon RCMP detachment, where he was held until sober. On release, he was issued offence notices for trespassing, public intoxication, and impeding traffic on the highway.
Shortly after sunrise on May 21, CPPS attended with RCMP to a report of an assault with a weapon in progress at Pike Lake Provincial Park. Initial reports indicated that a man was being assaulted with an axe. On arrival, officers were able to quickly discern that the weapon was not an axe, but instead a marshmallow roasting implement. The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the attack and was treated at the scene by Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The suspect was taken into custody and processed by RCMP in relation to the assault with a weapon complaint. This call is a clear example of how CPPS works with RCMP to ensure officers are not responding alone to dangerous weapons calls, and of how initial reports are not always accurate — but that police will always take weapons calls extremely seriously.
Shortly before midnight on May 22, CPPS initiated a traffic stop to check the sobriety of a driver operating on Highway 41 near Range Road 3040. Officers at the roadside were dumbstruck to find the driver actively watching a streaming video on his phone, operating the vehicle without his prosthetic leg attached, showing obvious signs of drug impairment, and in breach of his 11 pm curfew. A roadside oral fluid screening returned a positive result for both cannabis and cocaine. The male was transported to the Saskatoon RCMP detachment, where he was lodged overnight due to his intoxicated state. His vehicle was impounded from the scene, and the following morning he was served multiple Traffic Safety Act offence notices as well as an Appearance Notice to attend court in relation to his criminal charges.
Shortly before 8 a.m. on May 23, CPPS members, along with RCMP, SPS, EMS, and Saskatoon Fire, attended a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 16 and Auction Mart Road. The collision involved an ambulance and two passenger vehicles, resulting in minor injuries and one vehicle occupant being transported to hospital by ambulance.
CPPS assisted the RCMP by providing barricades and supporting traffic control until the Traffic Collision Investigator could arrive at the scene. The intersection was closed for a protracted period while the scene was processed. Incidents like this represent an important opportunity for all agencies to work collaboratively — facilitating the safe and efficient processing of a scene while allowing the primary agency of jurisdiction to lead the investigation.
Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, CPPS patrol officers happened upon the annual Merril Hills Hamlet Community garage sale as things were wrapping up. Officers were happy to meet some of the community members who organise the event each year. One of the greatest parts of serving the residents of the RM is witnessing the community spirit found across so many of the RM’s hamlets and communities. CPPS is more than happy to attend your community event — if you’re hosting an event and would like CPPS to come, please do not hesitate to contact our office: police.service@cormanparkpolice.ca
In the late evening hours of that same day, RCMP Telecomms broadcast a report of an assault and breach of release order conditions in the Grasswood area. CPPS attended and located a male matching the broadcast description walking intoxicated in the ditch. The subject was arrested for breaching his undertaking conditions and conveyed to the Saskatoon RCMP detachment, where he was processed on the charges and held until he was sober enough to appear before a Hearing Officer.