The Saskatoon board of police commissioners will expand in 2018

From Saskatoon StarPhoenix, September 22nd, 2017

Saskatoon’s board of police commissioners is expected to grow in the coming months, adding two at-large members early in the new year.

Chair Darlene Brander said the new citizen positions will help the board fulfil its objectives.

“Part of our mandate is to be a conduit between the community and the police service and with the two additional members-at-large, we’ll be able to strengthen that ability,” she said.

Ward 1 Coun. Darren Hill, who sits on the board and has advocated for more citizen representation at the table, said a presentation by Brander and police board member Carolanne Inglis-McQuay to the city’s governance and priorities committee helped push the change forward.

Mayor Charlie Clark, who also sits on the police board, said the time is right to expand.

“It’s a good time to add two more voices, two more sets of experience and backgrounds to the table,” he said, noting a better balance between elected and non-elected board members will help ensure the board does not become politicized.

“We’re looking forward to getting some talented, experienced (and) wise folks around the table,” he said.

The bylaw change comes into effect on Jan. 1.

-Morgan Modjeski, Saskatoon StarPhoenix

http://thestarphoenix.com/storyline/the-saskatoon-board-of-police-commissioners-will-expand-in-2018