Sex crimes are among the most frequent and complex investigations for Saskatoon City Police.

Staff Sergeant James Repesse says their consistent case load is between 100-and-125 files with some involving numerous interviews with many witnesses and the extraction of D-N-A evidence.

Repesse points out they also have to focus on the sensitive nature of each case and investigators have specialized trauma training to ensure survivors don’t feel victimized all over again.

The sensitivity is taken to another level in cases involving children.

Repesse says they have access to a psychologist 24 hours a week and spend time with the young victims to build trust and rapport sometimes using toys and playing games in order to make the child feel comfortable while obtaining valuable information.

The Staff Sergeant is hopeful the city will soon have a dedicated child maltreatment specialist who would be invaluable throughout the process including court testimony.

He says that could happen in 2020 or 2021.

According to Repesse, the unit’s goal is to complete each investigation in between two-to-three months.

The unit has charged a 20-year-old man after a complaint from a 17-year-old girl in an alleged September 14th incident in the man’s residence.

He has appeared in court on charges of aggravated sexual assault, administering a noxious substance and making threats of death or bodily harm.