Two 13 year members of the Saskatoon Police Service, both assigned to the Canine Unit, are each facing a charge of aggravated assault following two separate incidents with the first occurring in 2019 and the other in 2020.
The Saskatoon Police Service says on July 12, 2019 shortly before 9 p.m. Patrol officers spotted a male in a vehicle who was wanted on outstanding warrants. They attempted a traffic stop, however the suspect refused to stop. The Air Support Unit guided responding officers to an alley behind Milton Street where the male suspect abandoned the vehicle and took off on foot. The officer issued commands for the suspect to stop, but he didn’t. The police service dog was deployed with the suspect being treated in hospital for a dog bite. Meantime, the suspect vehicle and the license plate were found to be stolen. The male suspect was charged with Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000, Evade Police, Possession of False Identity Documents and Mischief.
The second incident involved a break and enter in progress to a fenced compound on June 1, 2020 at approximately 9:00 p.m. The officer was the first on scene. A male matching the suspect description was located running from the scene. The officer gave commands for the suspect to stop, which he did not. The police service dog was deployed and once the suspect was taken into custody he was treated for a dog bite. In that instance, the suspect was charged with Break and Enter, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Psylocybin, and breach of conditions.
Formal complaints were submitted to the Provincial Complaints Commission. The Saskatoon Police Service was notified on April 21s that the Crown prosecutor’s office was recommending charges of aggravated assault.
Both officers are in court May 18th and the officers involved have been assigned to administrative duties in the interim.
“I want to ensure the public that while today’s announcement may be concerning, we have a very highly trained, professional Canine Unit,” said Police Chief Troy Cooper. “We must respect the court process while continuing to take every opportunity to both support our members and review responses to calls for service where use-of-force is required.”
