(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Prince Albert and the north to benefit from Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund

Mar 30, 2022 | 2:00 PM

Tactical first aid training equipment, and advancing the Prince Albert Police Service’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, are among the local initiatives receiving funding as part of an announcement Wednesday by the provincial government.

More than $1.27 million is being provided to police agencies across the province, the Victims’ Fund and community programs from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund. These assets help municipal police forces purchase new resources, as well as offer supports for victims and aid in the delivery of community programming.

“Keeping our communities safe and offering support to victims of crime in our province is of utmost importance,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell said in a statement. “It is crucial to be able to take proceeds from criminal activity and put it to good use within our police agencies and community programs.”

Over $578,000 will be directly provided to Saskatchewan police forces. In accordance with legislation, a matching amount will be deposited from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund into the Victims’ Fund.

The Victims’ Fund provides support to victims of crime through both the justice and law enforcement systems as well as community organizations. Further information can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/victimsservices.

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“Our focus is to enhance public safety,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said. “Being able to support our police agencies in purchasing new resources, as well as funding programs that support victims within our communities is another way to achieve this outcome.”

In addition to improvements for police in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina, the funding will be used to assist in locating missing persons and addressing family violence in the province’s north through distributions to Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers, the La Ronge Native Women’s Council and Catholic Family Services of Prince Albert.

“This much-needed funding provided as part of the program will assist police agencies with tactical, first aid and electronic equipment, as well as advance programs for equity and diversity,” Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police vice president Chief Troy Cooper said. “The continued support of the Government of Saskatchewan assists us in keeping our communities safe.”

Saskatchewan’s Civil Forfeiture Program, through The Seizure of Criminal Property Act, 2009, seeks the forfeiture of property that is considered to be proceeds or an instrument of unlawful activity.

Since inception, over $7.5 million from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has been distributed to police operations, the Victims’ Fund and community programming.

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