The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners

The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners is made up of the Mayor of the City of Saskatoon, two members of Saskatoon City Council and four volunteer members of the Public.

Board Roles and Responsibilities

Under The Police Act, 1990, the Board is responsible for:

  • the delivery of policing services within the municipality of Saskatoon; 

  • providing general direction, policy, and priorities; and

  • developing long-term plans for the Police Service and monitoring their implementation

 

Commissioners

 

COMMISSIONER SHIRLEY GREYEYES - Chair

Shirley Greyeyes was appointed to the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners in January 2021.

As a First Nations woman from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Shirley brings a vast knowledge of the Indigenous community to the Board. Shirley is passionate about creating a better understanding between the police and the Indigenous community, and will bring issues and trends from the Indigenous community to the Commission to incorporate them into the overall oversight of the Saskatoon Police Service.

Shirley is currently the Director of the Dakota Dunes Community Development Community Development Corporation, where she works in supporting community success through innovative partnerships that enhance independence and well-being of the residents of the communities the corporation supports.

Shirley’s employment also includes various senior management roles that have provided her with the opportunity to work with the Saskatoon Police Service on a number of levels, for example the Saskatoon Regional Intersectoral Committee where she had the opportunity to work with leaders from the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Central Urban Metis Federation (CUMFI), the School Boards, and a variety of provincial and federal Ministries. Shirley also participated on the HUB Advisory Committee.

Shirley has been volunteering with the Saskatoon Police Service for over 18 years and participated in the first Community Police Academy in Saskatoon. She is committed to volunteering in the community of Saskatoon, serves on a number of Committees and has received recognition for her contributions, including the W.A. Milne Award from the United Way.

 
 
 

COMMISSIONER John Lagimodiere - VIce-Chair

John Lagimodiere is the owner of ACS Aboriginal Consulting Services. He has been facilitating Indigenous awareness seminars and strategic and communications plans for a variety of organizations since 1997. His clients have included SaskTel, the Province of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Police Service, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Nutrien, CIC and the University of Saskatchewan. John had a 25-year career in the media as Publisher/Editor of Eagle Feather News, a monthly newspaper and daily news website. He retired from the media in 2022.

Born and raised in Saskatoon, he has volunteered in the community as a basketball and hockey coach and has been on numerous boards and committees including United Way Saskatoon-Leadership Committee on ending homelessness in Saskatoon, Affinity Credit Union, Canadian Chamber of Commerce as Chair of the Indigenous Affairs Policy Committee and as the Chair of the Batoche Historic Site Shared Management Board.

John has had a long interest in policing and justice. He studied Sociology at the University of Saskatchewan and worked in community corrections before he began his business. He was a volunteer in the SPS Peacekeepers Program and a graduate of the Community Police Academy. He has also worked with the Saskatoon Police Service delivering Indigenous awareness and facilitating plans with the Elders advisory committee.

He is a recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, the 2006 of the City of Saskatoon Living in Harmony Award, and the Queens Jubilee Medal in 2012. ACS received the 2009 ABEX for Aboriginal Business. John is a citizen of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and a member of CUMFI Local #165.

 
 
 

COMMISSIONER ZACH JEFFRIES

Councillor Zach Jeffries was appointed to the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners in January 2021. 

He was first elected to Saskatoon City Council in October 2012and subsequently re-elected in 2015 and 2020.  

Born and raised in Saskatoon and proud resident of Ward 10, Commissioner Jeffries attended Sutherland School, Evan Hardy Collegiate, and the University of Saskatchewan. He is the owner of a local business providing communications and event coordination services and a long-time volunteer, including ten years of Community Association volunteer experience. He also has experience as a technology and internet consultant. Past host and producer of local affairs program 'Saskatoon In Focus,’ Commissioner Jeffries is an alumnus of Leadership Saskatoon community leadership program and recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal for community service to Saskatoon.

As a City Councillor, Councillor Jeffries is leading Council’s strategic priority area of Information Technology (IT). City Council is prioritizing the area of IT to provide benefits to citizens, including improving services offered to the community and providing more cost-effective delivery of City programs.

Councillor Jeffries also sits on several City of Saskatoon Boards & Committees including the Governance and Priorities Committee, Standing Policy Committee on Finance, Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Municipal Planning Commission. 

Outside Boards & Committees Commissioner Jeffries serves on include General Superannuation Plan - Board of Trustees, Meewasin Valley Authority Board of Directors, Regional Oversight Committee (ROC), Saskatoon Airport Authority - Community Consultative Committee, Saskatoon Police Pension Plan - Board of Trustees, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), and the Sutherland Business Improvement District Board.

 
 
 
 

Commissioner Jenelyn Santos Ong

Born in the Philippines and raised on the Prairies, Jenelyn is thankful to call Saskatoon home.  She is a dedicated community builder, avid volunteer and proud immigrant who believes in strengthening our city through collaboration and cooperation.

As the Manager of Opus - the University of Saskatchewan’s startup incubator for academic founders - Jenelyn oversees operations, programming, partnerships and initiatives to build a robust culture of entrepreneurial thinking on campus.  Prior to joining USask, Jenelyn was the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority where she led initiatives to champion new and aspiring small business owners and drive economic growth.  She is also a seasoned business professional having worked in several sectors such as oil and gas, health and nutrition and non-profits.  With expertise in marketing, communications, economic development and an entrepreneur herself, Jenelyn is passionate about fostering innovation and empowering people with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Jenelyn is deeply committed to community service. She has served on the boards and committees of several organizations, most recently as President of the Filipino-Canadian Association of Saskatchewan Inc. where she plays a pivotal role in promoting intercultural exchange, cultural unity and community enrichment to Saskatchewan’s 44,000+ Filipinos.  She aspires to boost civic engagement and support in our youth through innovative bridge-building initiatives across cultures and sectors helping to ensure public safety, trust and accountability for the police services in the community.

 
 
 
 

Katharine (Kathy) Grier, K.C.

Katharine Grier recently retired after practicing law for 37 years. Her main focus throughout her career was criminal law, initially with Saskatoon City Legal Aid and then as a prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and later Saskatchewan Justice. 

From 2002 and 2004 Kathy was a member of a consultation group to the Saskatchewan Commission on First Nations and Métis People and Justice Reform. She also spent over two years working on Indian Residential School files with Justice Canada.  She has a keen interest in justice issues, in particular with respect to youth and Indigenous communities. 

As a Crown Prosecutor, Kathy was part of a team which provided training to Saskatoon Police Service members in the areas of detention and arrest, search and seizure, domestic violence, and report writing.

She is a long-time community volunteer and currently sits on the boards of L’Arche Saskatoon and the Cecilian Singers choir.  In 2011 she was named the Saskatoon Community Service Village Honorary Village Citizen in recognition of her contribution to the original Village board.

Kathy is a long-time 2SLGBTQ+ ally and advocate. She believes in a collaborative, community-based approach to safety, and that addressing mental health, poverty, addictions and marginalization is the key to moving forward.

Kathy grew up in a military family and lived in 6 provinces but has called Saskatoon home for over 40 years. She received a B.A.(Hons.) in French and History from York University and an LL.B. from the University of Saskatchewan. In 2020 she was honoured with a King’s Counsel designation from the government of Saskatchewan.

Board Committees

When required, the Board establishes standing or ad hoc committees. When a committee is created, Terms of Reference are created. These Terms of Reference outline the roles and responsibilities of the committee, and how the committee will conduct itself.

  • The Governance Committee leads a semi-annual full review of the Boards Governance Policy which sets out how the board will govern itself. If a change to the Governance Policy is required, this committee examines the need for the change, and establishes in writing, changes to be made to the Policy, for the review and approval of the Board.

  • The Measurement and Evaluation Committee is responsible for ensuring there is a process and procedures in place for evaluating the Police Chief and the Saskatoon Police Service. The Committee also discusses the most optimal means by which to measure policing programs and services and their impact on community safety in Saskatoon.

 

 Join the Board

The Police Board is made up of the Mayor of the City of Saskatoon and two Council members appointed by Council, and four volunteer members of the public. 

If you are a Saskatoon resident entitled to vote in municipal elections, and are passionate about public safety and police accountability, we encourage you to consider serving on the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners. The application can be found online at saskatoon.ca/boards.

Each fall, Saskatoon City Council recruits for Council Committees and Boards using an application process. Current Police Board members review the applications and interview those candidates who are qualified to serve on the Board. The Board then makes a recommendation to City Council regarding appointments. The Board members are appointed by Saskatoon City Council. 

Board terms are for two years. Board member appointments may be renewed for up to six years; however, a new application must be submitted at the end of each term. The Board strives to always have at least one Indigenous representative. 

There is no remuneration paid to Board members, either for time spent preparing for meetings, day-to-day work, or for participating in training and representing the Board at community events. 

Core attributes, competencies and experience the Board requires include:

·       Understanding of the distinction between the strategic and policy setting role of the Board and the operational responsibilities of the Chief.
·       Capability to give leadership to the development of the Board and the Police Service.
·       Commitment to the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Board.
·       Ability to work as a member of a team.
·       Respect for and tolerance of the views of others.
·       Recognition of the time commitment and the willingness to devote the time and energy necessary to perform the role of a board member.
·       Enthusiasm and capacity for resolving challenging issues.
·       Knowledge and appreciation for family systems and community dynamics in Indigenous and diversified communities. 

A detailed description of the responsibilities, time commitment, skills and attributes that are expected of prospective and existing Board members can be found at this link: Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Board Member Roles and Guidelines