Police Chief Troy Cooper is back at work after self isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Chief Cooper says it was possible for him to continue to work from home but relied on Deputy Chief Mitch Yuzdepski and Deputy Chief Randy Huisman for assistance. He says he was fortunate not to be very ill and to be able to continue his duties.
Since the beginning of the pandemic Cooper reports 19 Saskatoon Police staff members, 17 of which are officers, test positive for COVID-19. Cooper adds countless officers have had to self-isolate as a result of being in close contact with a covid-19 positive person. He says the department looks forward to the potential for a vaccine for staff, as they were not listed as a priority group in phase 1. Cooper states they are hopeful to be listed in phase 2.
COVID-19 Restriction Protests and Fines
Chief Cooper believes that Saskatoon Police has been consistent with other jurisdictions in the province and in Canada when it comes to ticketing public health violations at recent protests.
During this week’s Board of Police Commissioner’s meeting Cooper responded to an email that asked why all participants are not being charged at anti-mask rallies. Cooper says often they will not ticket during the rally, but first try to educate participants, then gather evidence and move to investigation. Cooper says they started by issuing tickets to people who he says were significantly involved in the organizing or participation of these events. Cooper says there were two tickets in November at the Midtown Plaza, one ticket in early December at Kiwansis Park and 7 more in late December, also at Kiwansis Park.
There have been 72 COVID-19 related complaints in Saskatoon so far in 2021. Police Chief Troy Cooper says last year Saskatoon Police responded to 1352 complaints regarding public health orders, which resulted in 15 tickets. This year 4 tickets have been issued. Cooper says along with their own enforcement of public health orders officers also work with public health inspectors, who have also done some enforcement work in the city.
