Police launch warrant enforcement unit to track down wanted criminals in Saskatoon

The Saskatoon Police Service headquarters can be seen in this file photo.

The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) has introduced a new warrant enforcement unit to tackle outstanding criminal code warrants in the city.

Comprised of one sergeant and four constables, the unit will focus on executing arrest warrants for those who have failed to appear in court or have active criminal charges.

According to SPS, there are approximately 6,400 outstanding criminal code warrants in Saskatoon, with 5,000 of those issued since Jan. 2023.

SPS says it’s launching the unit as a one-year pilot project.

According to Tony Landry, inspector in charge of patrol support, “the creation of this unit reflects our commitment to community safety and effective law enforcement.”

Landry says a dedicated team focused on warrant enforcement will help police to prioritize the arrest of wanted individuals who pose the greatest risk to public safety while alleviating pressures faced by frontline patrol officers.

According to SPS, the warrant enforcement unit will operate as a uniformed presence within the police service, working in collaboration with other units to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.