Police Chief Troy Cooper says the primary function of the Saskatoon Police during a protest, is making sure people are safe.  With more anti-mask/COVID restriction protests expected this weekend, Cooper answered questions regarding enforcement at this week’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting.
Cooper says just because police may not be visibly arresting people or visibly enforcing public health orders, doesn’t mean there aren’t investigations or sanctions ongoing.

Cooper says as we go forward, and if gatherings that exceed the limitations of the public health order continue, police will be present, they will take investigative actions and enforce where appropriate. Cooper suggests that enforcement may have to escalate, beginning with active participants, including those who are organizing, managing and encouraging behaviours, but as investigations continue that may expand to other participants.

Cooper also discussed the difference between recent COVID restriction protests and why enforcement didn’t happen during Black Lives Matter protests in the spring. Cooper says they were able to reach out to Black Lives Matter organizers in the spring and encouraged them to follow public health orders. Cooper states that although that was a very large protest and gathering, the organizer and most of the participants did their best to follow the public health order. Cooper says people were in small groups, they wore masks, and made an attempt to be responsible and in the end the protest was investigated as well. He adds that after each protest event, police consult with crown prosecutors and public health officials, allowing them to assist in determining if it’s in the public interest to proceed with charges.

Cooper says each incident will be evaluated on the potential harm to the community, and regardless of the cause or nature of the protest they treat each the same, doing their best to keep people safe.