The provincially funded Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit is transitioning to become the Integrated Crime Reduction Team (I-CRT).
Saskatoon’s team has the same number of members with 7 officers from the Saskatoon Police Service and 5 RCMP officers.
The government’s goals for the unit are outlined in the new Provincial Gang Violence Reduction Strategy.
The Saskatoon Police Service says the unit’s mandate is to disrupt, curtail and reduce criminal activity related to gang activity, illegal firearms, drugs with a primary focus on meth and opioids, property crimes including vehicle theft, and rural crime.
Inspector Dale Solie of the Investigative Support Division, says criminal activity doesn’t just take place within the borders of a community so this integrated approach will help them to be more effective in their investigations.
He says information and intelligence for the unit is being gathered from several difference sources including health care providers and residents.