PUBLIC MINUTES

BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS

Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 1:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Committee Room E, Ground Floor, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Commissioner J. Custead, Chair
• Commissioner K. Healy
• Commissioner Mayor C. Clark, via teleconference
• Commissioner H. Gough at 1:07 p.m.
• Commissioner S. Greyeyes
• Commissioner Z. Jeffries

ABSENT:

• Commissioner B. Penner

ALSO PRESENT:

• Chief T. Cooper
• Deputy Chief C. McBride
• Deputy Chief M. Yuzdepski
• SPS Solicitor A. Smith
• SPS Executive Director M. Arscott
• BPC Solicitor S. Edmondson
• BPC Communications Consultant L. Nyirfa
• City Clerk A. Tittemore
• Secretary P. Walter

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1.

MINUTES/DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

1.1

Call to Order

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis People and confirmed roll call.

1.2

Confirmation of Agenda

• Moved By: Commissioner Healy

  That the agenda be confirmed as presented.

  
  

  In Favour: (5)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, and Commissioner Greyeyes
  Absent: (2)	Commissioner Gough, and Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1.3

Adoption of Minutes

Commissioner Gough entered the meeting at 1:07 p.m.

• Moved By: Commissioner Jeffries

  That the minutes of the public Board of Police Commissioners meeting held on April 20, 2023 be adopted.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, and Commissioner Greyeyes
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1.4

Delegations

1.5

Chair's Report

Chair Custead recognized National Police Week, May 14 to 20, 2023.

1.6

Chief's Report

Chief Cooper spoke to the following:

• Rick Penny passed away. He retired in 2016 after 40 years of police service. Funeral was held on May 24, 2023.
• Recognized Sergeant Eric Mueller, Ontario Provincial Police who recently died in the line of duty on May 11, 2023.
• Federal Justice Minister introduced Bill C-48 on May 16, 2023 that proposed changes to the Criminal Code's bail provisions to promote community safety and reinforce public confidence in the administration of justice.
• Hosted the Supporting Hope: Empowering the Community MMIWG2S conference on May 4 and 5, 2023 at Wanuskewin Heritage Park through the Victim Services Unit for front line service providers.
• On May 25, 2023 SPS Community Engagement Division and Cst. Gurpreet Kaur will be hosting a Lunch and Learn for senior staff regarding the Sikh Community.
• Saskatchewan Police College graduation will be held on May 26, 2023 in Regina. There are 10 recruits from Saskatoon Police Service.
• Deputy Chief Yuzdepski has announced his retirement in July after 36 years with the service. A replacement will be determined later this summer.
• The following staffing changes have been made:
  • Deputy Chief Cam McBride was promoted to the Deputy Chief position on May 15, 2023.
  • Superintendent Darren Pringle was promoted to the Superintendent position.
  • Inspector Tyson Lavellee was formalized as an Inspector.
• There is ongoing evaluations of the Wellness Centre in Fairhaven and area. Noticing more visible signs of homelessness and encampments. Working with Saskatoon Fire Department to create teams that include the Alternate Response Officers and Fire Inspectors to respond to the encampments. The Wellness Centre itself is managed very well, calls to the centre have decreased.
• Crime statistics for Fairhaven and Confederation area in the first quarter show an increase in social disorder calls. These calls include someone refusing to leave a store, erratic behavior in a shopping centre and someone blocking an entrance to a store. Property crime has increased from 37 calls in 2022 to 71 in 2023. Violent crimes have increased from 15 assaults in 2022 to 20 in 2023.

• Moved By: Commissioner Healy

  That the information be received.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, and Commissioner Greyeyes
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

1.7

Environmental Scan

2.

CORRESPONDENCE/CITY COUNCIL REFERRALS

2.1

Street Activity Subcommittee - 2022 Annual Report [PDCS2023-0403]

City Council at its meeting held on April 26, 2023 forwarded the above-noted matter to the Board of Police Commissioners for information.

• Moved By: Commissioner Mayor Clark

  That the Board correspond with the Province of Saskatchewan to highlight the need for stabilization beds alongside permanent supported complex needs housing, requesting collaboration to increase the availability of these units and their corresponding supports in Saskatoon.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, and Commissioner Greyeyes
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2.2

Daniel Kuhlen – Proposed Bylaw to Address Street Harassment [PDCS2023-0410]

City Council at its meeting held on April 26, 2023 forwarded the above-noted matter to the Board of Police Commissioners to affirm its opposition to any sort of street harassment, offering support to the Saskatoon Police Service for the future work of the Hate Crimes Unit, and requesting reporting to City Council on Hate Incident reports and trends in Saskatoon, and how Saskatoon Police Service is considering the gap between hate incidents and hate crimes.

• Moved By: Commissioner Gough

  That the request from City Council be forwarded to the Saskatoon Police Service for consideration in the drafting of the annual Hate Crime Unit report.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, and Commissioner Greyeyes
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

ROUTINE/STATISTICAL REPORTS

3.1

2022 Annual Use of Force

A report of the Chief of Police was provided.

Chief Cooper introduced the matter. Inspector Richard Bueckert was in attendance to present the report. Chief Cooper responded to questions of the Board along with Inspector Bueckert.

• Moved By: Commissioner Greyeyes

  That the report of the Chief of Police dated April 28, 2023 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Greyeyes, and Commissioner Jeffries
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.2

2022 Evade Police Incidents

A report of the Chief of Police was provided.

Chief Cooper introduced the matter. Inspector Tyson Lavallee was in attendance to present the report and responded to questions of the Board.

• Moved By: Commissioner Gough

  That the report of the Chief of Police dated May 5, 2023 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Greyeyes, and Commissioner Jeffries
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.3

2022 Contact Interviews

A report of the Chief of Police was provided.

Chief Cooper introduced the matter. Inspector Tyson Lavallee was in attendance to present the report. Chief Cooper responded to questions of the Board.

• Moved By: Commissioner Healy

  That the report of the Chief of Police dated May 5, 2023 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, and Commissioner Greyeyes
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

RESPONSES TO BOARD REFERRALS

5.

OTHER

6.

BOARD INQUIRIES/NOTICE OF MOTIONS

7.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Commissioner Gough

  That the Board move In Camera to consider matters exempt to the public under its Governance Policy No. 12.4, Section 10(2) of The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Bylaw No. 7531, Section 27(15) of The Police Act, 1990, and Section 16(1)(b) and (d), 21 and 28 of The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Custead, Commissioner Healy, and Commissioner Greyeyes
  Absent: (1)	Commissioner Penner

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  The public meeting recessed at 2:47 p.m.

  
  

8.

RISE AND REPORT

The Board convened In Camera at 3:02 p.m. with the following in attendance:

• All Board members (Commissioner Mayor Clark via teleconference)
• SPS Administration
• Troy Hagen for Item 1.3.1
• Chief Human Resources Officer McInnes for Item 1.3.1
• Board Solicitor Edmondson
• Board Communications Consultant Nyirfa
• City Clerk Tittemore
• Secretary Walter

Commissioner Mayor Clark left the meeting at 4:28 p.m.

Commissioner Greyeyes left the meeting at 4:30 p.m.

City Clerk Tittemore left the meeting at 4:52 p.m.

SPS Administration left the meeting at 4:54 p.m.

Chief Cooper left the meeting at 5:15 p.m.

Commissioner Jeffries left the meeting at 5:18 p.m.

The Board completed its In Camera session at 5:44 p.m. and reconvened publicly to rise and report, as follows:

• Moved By: Commissioner Gough

  That the information be received, and the submitted correspondence and reports and discussion remain In Camera under its Governance Policy No. 12.4, Section 10(2) of The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Bylaw No. 7531, Section 27(15) of The Police Act, 1990, and Sections 16(1)(b), (1)(c) and (d), 21 and 28 of The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

  
  

  In Favour: (3)	Commissioner Gough, Commissioner Custead, and Commissioner Healy
  Absent: (4)	Commissioner Jeffries, Commissioner Mayor Clark, Commissioner Penner, and Commissioner Greyeyes

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.