Public Complaints Commission - Saskatchewan

retrieved June 27, 2007

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) is a five-person, non-police body appointed by the government to ensure that both the public and police receive a fair and thorough investigation of a complaint against the police or an investigation of a possible criminal offence by a police officer. The PCC is established by The Police Act, 1990.

I have a complaint about the police. What do I do?

Complaints about the RCMP can be made to:

Complaints and Administrative Investigative Support Services (C.A.I.S.S.)

Regina, Saskatchewan

Phone: (306) 780-7509

Commission for Public Complaints Against the R.C.M.P.

Surrey, British Columbia

Phone: 1-800-665-6878

Complaints about a municipal police officer may be made in person or by writing to:

Police Service, Board of Police Commissioners, Public Complaints Commission, Saskatchewan Justice, Federation of Saskatchewan Nations, Special Investigations Unit, and any detachment of the RCMP.

Public Complaints Commission

300-1919 Saskatchewan Dr.

Regina, SK S4P 4H2

Phone: (306) 787-6519 Fax: (306) 787-6528

Toll Free: 1-866-256-6194 916-122 3rd Avenue North

Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H6

Phone: (306) 964-1450 Fax: (306) 964-1454

Public Complaint Form F

What kinds of complaints are typically made?

  • discreditable conduct;
  • neglect of duty;
  • improper disclosure of information;
  • abuse of authority.

What does the Public Complaints Commission do?

Handling a complaint involves receiving the complaint, investigating, reviewing the matter and advising the complainant of action taken.

The PCC will determine whether investigations should be conducted by:

  • the PCC itself through it's investigative arm;
  • the police service against whose member the complaint was made;
  • the police service with an outside observer; or
  • a separate police service.

If a serious injury or death has occurred while a person was in police custody or as a result of a police action, the municipal police service or RCMP detachment concerned must request that the Deputy Minister of Justice appoint an investigation observer from another police service or RCMP detachment to monitor the investigation and report back to the Deputy Minister.

The Act provides separate rules in cases where an out-of-province police officer needs to continue an investigation in Saskatchewan or where a Saskatchewan police officer must continue an investigation out-of-province.

How long does the process take?

The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to 180 days, depending on the complexity of the case and the availability of witnesses.

What kind of action might result if my claim is substantiated?

The PCC may make recommendations to the responsible Chief of Police that could result in disciplinary action or changes in policing practices or policy. The PCC cannot direct monetary compensation for claims of financial loss on your behalf.