PUBLIC MINUTES

BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS

Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 3:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Via Teleconference Hosted in the Council Chamber, Saskatoon City Hall

PRESENT:

• Commissioner J. Custead, Chair
• Commissioner K. Healy, Vice-Chair
• Commissioner Mayor C. Clark
• Commissioner S. Greyeyes
• Commissioner Z. Jeffries
• Commissioner M. Loewen
• Commissioner B. Penner

ALSO PRESENT:

• Chief T. Cooper
• Deputy Chief R. Huisman
• Deputy Chief M. Yuzdepski
• SPS Executive Director C. Hack
• Solicitor A. Smith
• Executive Director L. Nyirfa
• Secretary J. Hudson

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1.

MINUTES/DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

1.1

Call to Order

The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.

1.2

Confirmation of Agenda

• Moved By: Commissioner Healy

  That the agenda be confirmed as presented.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

1.3

Adoption of Minutes

• Moved By: Commissioner Penner

  That the minutes of the public Board of Police Commissioners meeting held on March 18, 2021, be adopted.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

1.4

Delegations

1.5

Chair's Report

1.6

Chief's Report

Chief Cooper spoke to the following:

• recent presentation in support of Saweyihtotan outreach project
• National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week - awards received by communications staff - C Platoon; and special constable Kathy Richards
• serious incident response team legislation
• missing person investigations - best practices report by Toronto's Independent Civilian Review mentions SPS and Operation Runaway
• first responders and police Covid-19 vaccinations - plans to attend Saskatoon Tribal Council clinic

• Moved By: Commissioner Greyeyes

  That the information be received.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

1.7

Environmental Scan

Commissioner Mayor Clark acknowledged the partnership building with both Saweyihtotan and the vaccination clinic. 

Commissioner Healy acknowledged EGADZ and Operation Runaway.  He spoke to his recent attendance at a virtual meeting of the Saskatchewan Police Commission. 

Chair Custead recognized the SPS telecommunications and leadership team.  She thanked Chief Arcand for the offer of vaccinations.

2.

CORRESPONDENCE/CITY COUNCIL REFERRALS

2.1

Letter - Quint / Build Up Saskatoon, dated April 1, 2021

Chief Cooper spoke to the letter, and advised SPS will respond to the writer's suggestions.

• Moved By: Commissioner Penner

  That the information be received.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

3.

ROUTINE/STATISTICAL REPORTS

3.1

Annual Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Report

A report of the Police Chief dated March 30, 2021, was provided. 

Chief Cooper introduced the item, noting Lisa Olson, Director of Human Resources for Saskatoon Police Service, was in attendance for questions. 

SPS Executive Director Hack presented the report with a complementary PowerPoint presentation.  He committed to sharing further information with respect to recent progress on diversity hiring initiatives and current processes and targets surrounding other equity groups such as LGBTQ2S+.

• Moved By: Commissioner Loewen

  That the 2020 Annual Report on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion be received as information.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

3.2

Vulnerable Persons Unit - 2020 Annual Report

A report of the Police Chief dated March 30, 2021, was provided.  

Chief Cooper introduced the item. 

Sergeant Jodi Earl was in attendance to present the report and answer questions of the Board. 

Rita Field, Executive Director, Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service, was also in attendance as a member of the Police and Crisis Team.

• Moved By: Commissioner Jeffries

  That the Vulnerable Persons Unit 2020 Annual Report be received as information.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

3.3

Air Support Unit - 2020 Annual Report

A report of the Police Chief dated March 31, 2021, was provided. 

Chief Cooper introduced the item. 

Pilot and Sergeant Wade Bourassa, was in attendance to present the report, along with a video clip showcasing the work of the unit, and answer questions of the Board. 

• Moved By: Commissioner Loewen

  That the Air Support Unit 2020 Annual Report be received as information.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

4.

RESPONSES TO BOARD REFERRALS

4.1

Community Focused Safety - Partnership with SCIS

The Secretary advised that at its meeting held on March 18, 2021, the Board considered a letter from the Interim City Clerk on behalf of the Governance and Priorities Committee requesting a follow-up report with respect to the above.  The Board resolved that SPS report back for follow-up to GPC.

In this regard, a report of the Police Chief dated March 29, 2021, was provided.

Rita Field, Executive Director of Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service, Sergeant Jodi Earl, and Mitch Nemeth, SPS were present for discussion.

Chief Cooper introduced the item.

Deputy Chief Yuzdepski presented the report with a complementary PowerPoint, and answered questions of the Board.

• Moved By: Commissioner Loewen

  That the information be received.

  
  
  
  CARRIED
• Moved By: Commissioner Penner

  That the Board of Police Commissioners share the report of the Chief of Police with the Governance and Priorities Committee, as follow-up to the request dated March 18, 2021.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

5.

OTHER

6.

BOARD INQUIRIES/NOTICE OF MOTIONS

7.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.