WEYBURN – The Weyburn Board of Police Commissioners was given approval to reallocate up to $60,000 from funds from the Next Generation 911 (NG911) program to invest in biometrics for holding cells, a life-saving technology, as well as new Tasers.
Chief Brent VanDeSype said biometrics acts like a radar, continuously tracking a detainee’s vital signs, including heart rate, breathing, and movement.
“It allows the guard or police or whoever’s guarding someone in your holding cell to be alerted immediately if any of those vitals are outside the normal so medical intervention can happen a lot sooner and it has saved lives.”
Coun. Laura Morrissette had sought clarification on the biometric system, noting Estevan’s positive experience with the technology.
Coun. Larry Heggs questioned the long-term budget impact, asking whether the remaining $100,000 for NG911 would carry over into 2026. VanDeSype said the full amount would be deferred, as the provincial rollout isn’t expected to go live until sometime in 2026.
The current Tasers in use, X26 models, were discontinued in 2014, with parts no longer available.
“We've been operating and keeping those alive with parts and pieces that we got from other municipal agencies,” said VanDeSype . “So, it was a priority this past year, but we removed that.”
The motion passed unanimously during Weyburn City Council’s regular meeting on July 14.
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