The Estevan Police Service (EPS) has received some much appreciated financial support from the provincial government, that it plans to put to good use in local initiatives.
MLA Doreen Eagles and Mayor Roy Ludwig met with Estevan Police chief Paul Ladouceur at the EPS station on Dec. 10, to confirm a grant of $333,000 to go toward what Eagles described as the three pillars of the criminal justice system: prevention, intervention and suppression.
“Municipal policing grants allow us to focus on these three pillars. A total of $333,000 will be invested to fund three Estevan Police Service positions.” said Eagles. “The programs supported through the municipal police grants work to improve community safety through enhanced community policing and serious crime units.”
Another use the funds will be put towards is the Saskatchewan division of the Combined Traffic Safety Enforcement Unit, a unit that combines the efforts of the Estevan and Weyburn Police Services, along with the RCMP, covering southeast Saskatchewan. The unit works to improve safety on highways through increased awareness and enforcement of traffic regulations.
“The dedicated staff who work in these areas give of themselves to ensure the safety of Estevan and residents in the area,” said Eagles. “We believe this investment in our police demonstrates our commitment to community safety and our confidence in the skills and expertise of those working in specialized units that keep our community safe.”
Ludwig expressed his gratitude for the support of the government, noting the City of Estevan is optimistic that the great work done to keep the community safe can continue.
“(The funding) is much needed, and we’re using it to help out with education and to help out with drug enforcement,” said Ludwig. “We’re using it to help out with traffic, which is the latest issue now, with the heavy trucks, keeping them off Main (Fourth) Street.”
Ladouceur was pleased to acknowledge the funding, and anticipated how it would contribute to making Saskatchewan one of the safest provinces in Canada.
“I can tell you, first-hand, as chief of police, that I certainly get to see the benefits this funding has, especially in a small community,” said Ladouceur. “This funding, in particular, has gone to develop a drug and intelligence position within the Estevan Police Services.”
Ladouceur also acknowledged how good it was for the service to be able to hire a school resource officer and to introduce a combined traffic safety services component to the EPS — both additions he said were much needed. He emphasized the importance of traffic safety services in a province as large and expansive as Saskatchewan.
“You can often travel great distances without seeing police officers on our highways. Since the development of our traffic safety services, there’s definitely an increase,” said Ladouceur. “When we travel our highways, we see those officers out there, everyday. The funding doesn’t go unnoticed and we enjoy the working relationship we’ve got.”
