Director's Message

In 1997 our Department began a period of major change from the traditional role of Security to a role of ‘community based policing’. This culminated with the appointment of our officers as 'Special Constables' under the Saskatchewan Police Act. In response to the appointments by Saskatchewan Justice, the University of Saskatchewan recognized the tremendous transformation by reclassifying the officers to the position of ‘Community Peace Officers’. This recognized the community’s trust in the change process. The Department, through this reclassification, made a firm commitment to the community to police in a different manner.

The name ‘Community Peace Officer’ was chosen to emphasize that Community Policing principles are used to evaluate our delivery of service and to reinforce, through our Mandate and Mission, that Community Peace Officers strive constantly to improve the qualify of life on our campus. As Community Peace Officers, we are committed to work under the following principles:

  • we are 'peace officers' not law enforcement officers,
  • we solicit public consultation and input,
  • we use problem solving strategies to seek long term solutions rather than collect statistics,
  • we use the inter agency approach to solving problems, appreciating that others are better at providing long term solutions and victim assistance,
  • we attempt to reduce the fear of crime and are committed to crime prevention,
  • we provide interactive policing,
  • we provide autonomy and greater responsibility to line officers,
  • we respect our community’s diversity and through constant vigilance ensure all community’s members rights under the Charter, the Criminal Code and common law are always guaranteed,
  • community peace officers are accountable to the community, and
  • the absence of crime is the measure of success.

True community policing can only be successful with the commitment and concern of each member of our community. Sir Robert Peel, father of modern policing, issued Peel’s Principles in 1829. This identified that the "Police are the only members of the community paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen, in the interest of community welfare and existence". Your active participation in community policing is not only encouraged, it is both solicited and appreciated.

R.D. (Bob) Ferguson, Director