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Saskatchewan Highway Patrol

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Saskatchewan Highway Patrol
Official SHP logo.
Official SHP logo.
AbbreviationSHP
Agency overview
Formed2018
Preceding agencies
  • Regional Logistics-Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (2011–18)
  • Highway Transport Patrol (1982–2007)
Annual budgetCAD$6,204,000 (2021–22)[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionSaskatchewan, Canada
Legal jurisdictionSaskatchewan
Governing bodyMinistry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety
Constituting instrument
  • The Police Act, 1990
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters2nd Floor, 1630 Park Street, Regina, SK, S4N 2G1
Ministers responsible
  • Tim McLeod, K.C., Minister
  • Denise Macza, Deputy Minister

The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) is the Highway patrol unit of the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. It regulates highway operations operations in compliance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Canadian Council Motor Transport Administrators,[2] enforce federal, provincial and municipal statutes in relation to Saskatchewan's highways, including responding to 911 calls, accidents and events when a person commits an offence.[3][4]

Etymology

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The SHP was previously known as the Highway Transport Patrol and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement until July 2018.[5]

History

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The SHP's origin started from 1928 when the Public Utilities Board (PUB) was created by the Government of Saskatchewan.[6] By 1934, the PUB changed names to the Highway Traffic Board (HTB).[6] The first HTB investigators were hired in 1977.[6] By 1982, the HTB was moved to the Department of Highways and Transportation, which led the creation of the Highway Transport Patrol (HTP).[6]

In April 2011, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (MHI) moved the HTP and the Investigations Unit (IU) into the Regional Services Division.[6] The Transport Compliance Branch was renamed to the Regional Logistics-Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE).[6] In 2016, the functions of the CVE were centralized, leading to merge the HTP and the IU with an announcement that the CVE will be renamed to the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol.[6] In 2017, CVE officers were being recruited into the Protection and Response Team (PRT),[7] which was completed by 2018.[6]

On July 1, 2018, the CVE officially became the SHP, transitioning into an armed law enforcement service with special constable powers.[8] 40 officers from the CVE transitioned to join the SHP.[9] SHP officers received firearms and defense tactics with training to tackle de-escalation, diversity awareness and mental health and domestic violence.[10] The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) objected to having more officers being armed due to it being excessive, which will not keep stable relations between the government and the Indigenous people in Saskatchewan.[8]

Six new officers joined the SHP in January 2019 after they graduated in December 2018.[4] In November 29, 2019, five recruits completed their applications and graduated to join the SHP.[10]

In April 2022, the Provincial Protective Services (PPS) was established, putting the SHP with Conservation Officer Service, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods officers, Prisoner Transport and Court Security Deputy Sheriffs, and Wascana Park community safety officers.[6][11]

In the MHI's Annual Report for 2022-23, the ministry reported that the SHP was transferred to the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety (MCPPS).[12]

In the MCPPS' Business Plan for 2024-25, the ministy reported that around CAD$197,000 will be allocated for the SHP to create a Canine Unit to detect and seize contraband, including unstamped tobacco and/or controlled substances.[13]

On January 14, 2025, the MCPPS announced a border security plan that would involve the PPS in securing the US-Canadian land border, which will involve SHP officers in patrols and public safety campaigns in interprovincial borders and parts of the land border.[14]

Controversy

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In June 2020, Saskatchewan provincial auditor Judy Ferguson released an audit report regarding the SHP when she indicated that the agency spent CAD$700,000 in purchasing some equipment that was deemed questionable, which consists of three 9mm pistols, two full automatic rifles, an AR-10 carbine and 12 suppressors.[15] The firearms audited were found to be restricted under the Municipal Police Equipment Regulations.[16][a] Other items purchased with the firearms include drug test kits, a high-powered riflescope and one drone.[18] The audit took place in 2019.[19]

The firearms were acquired with a purchase card, being spent under CAD$10,000.[15] Ferguson also indicated that the MHI doesn't sufficiently track items in their inventory and assign staff to account for the items purchased.[20] The firearms are locked up, being planned to be liquidated to other law enforcement agencies.[16][21]

It was subsequently announced by MHI Executive Director Doug Wakabayashi that Robin Litzenberger, SHP Chief, was fired for purchasing the firearms,[22] previously placed on administrative leave in July 2019.[18] In response to the layoff, Litzenberger filed a lawsuit on December 19, 2019 and claimed that his firing was based on false allegations.[22]

In May 2021, the SHP was told that they would need to get permission from the MCPPS to purchase firearms or other equipment such as batons, handcuffs, radar sets, body protectors and OC spray in the future.[23] The MCPPS said that this is an attempt to improve oversight on the agency.[23]

Organization

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The SHP is a member of the PRT responsible for reducing rural crime throughout the province.[b]

Any complaints launched against the SHP will be examined by the Public Complaints Commission (PCC).[25]

Chiefs of SHP

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Number Name Tenure Note Reference
1 Robin Litzenberger 2018-2019 Became chief of SHP after transitioning from CVE as the last director. [26][27]
2 Andrew Landers 2020-2022 Replaced Litzenberger after he was fired from his post. [28]

Chief Superintendents of SHP

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Number Name Tenure Note Reference
1 Brendan Tuchscherer [29]

Equipment

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The SHP has access to soft body armour and will get hard body armour for protection against rifle fire.[30]

SHP officers are issued body cameras.[31]

Notes

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  1. ^ According to the audit report, the Municipal Police Equipment Regulations states that the following are allowed to be used by law enforcement agencies in Sasakatchewan: 40 S&W pistols, semi-automatic and AR-15-based carbines with factory loaded ammunition.[17]
  2. ^ The PRT, consisting of 258 officers, includes the SHP, Sakatchewan-based RCMP and municipal police services and Ministry of Environment Conservation Officers.[24][4]

References

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  1. ^ "Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure: Annual Report for 2022-23" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 23. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  2. ^ "Transport Compliance Branch — Highways and Infrastructure — Government of Saskatchewan". 17 March 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  3. ^ "Saskatchewan Highway Patrol ready to hit the road in July". Blue Line. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  4. ^ a b c Jonathan Guignard (2019-01-15). "6 new officers finish training, ready to start with Sask. Highway Patrol". Global News. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  5. ^ "Saskatchewan Highway Patrol Begins Duties July 1". Government of Saskatchewan. 2018-06-27. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "History of the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  7. ^ "Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure: Annual Report for 2017-18" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  8. ^ a b "New Sask. Highway Patrol gives vehicle enforcement officers expanded policing powers". CBC News. 2018-06-18. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  9. ^ Adam Hunter (2020-06-20). "Sask. Highway Patrol chief was fired for purchase of silencers, drones, high-power rifle scope". CBC News. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  10. ^ a b "Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure: Annual Report for 2018-19" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 7.
  11. ^ "About Provincial Protective Services". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  12. ^ "Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure: Annual Report for 2022-23" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 24. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  13. ^ "Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety: Business Plan 2024-25" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  14. ^ Scott Boulton (2025-01-14). "Saskatchewan announces increased border security with new plans and 16 redeployed officers". Discover Estevan. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  15. ^ a b Jonathan Guignard (2020-06-20). "Saskatchewan auditor questions equipment purchases made by highway patrol". Global News. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  16. ^ a b Mickey Djuric (2020-06-20). "Saskatchewan Highway Patrol chief fired for buying unauthorized weapons". Global News. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  17. ^ "Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan: 2020 Report – Volume 1" (PDF). p. 30. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  18. ^ a b "Former Sask. Highway Patrol chief suing government for wrongful dismissal". CBC News. 2020-06-29. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  19. ^ "Sask. Highway Patrol bought weapons, equipment it can't use, misused purchasing cards to do it". CKOM News. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  20. ^ Arthur White-Crummey (2020-06-23). "Provincial auditor faults how Sask. bought guns for Highway Patrol". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  21. ^ "Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan: 2020 Report – Volume 1" (PDF). p. 31. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  22. ^ a b Lara Fominoff (2020-06-20). "Chief of Saskatchewan Highway Patrol fired over questionable purchases". Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  23. ^ a b Arthur White-Crummey (2021-05-18). "After 'bizarre' purchases, Highway Patrol needs permission to buy guns". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  24. ^ "Government Creates New Entity in Response to Report on Crime". Government of Saskatchewan. 2017-08-22. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  25. ^ "Public Complaints Commission". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  26. ^ "Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure: Annual Report for 2017-18" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  27. ^ "Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure: Annual Report for 2018-19" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 29. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  28. ^ "Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure: Annual Report for 2020-21" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. p. 26. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  29. ^ "Brendan Tuchscherer". Government of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  30. ^ Thia James (2019-12-19). "Province reviewing civilian oversight for police, including complaints process for Sask. Highway Patrol". Saskatoon Starphoenix. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  31. ^ Britton Gray (2018-06-28). "Sask. highway patrol set to hit the road July 1". Prince Albert Now. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
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