Sask. RCMP note spike in homicides

Between 2019 and 2023, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes have noted a 50 per cent increase in the number of homicide victims.

After a spike in 2016—a year that noted 35 victims—a valley point emerged in 2019 (20 homicide victims).

Thirty people died by homicide last year after a major increase in 2022 where 42 were noted—11 of those victims being from the mass casualty in the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon.  

Of those charged with committing homicide, police note 44 per cent of the offenders were either on conditions, bail, parole, or probation at the time. 

“A homicide is worst case scenario, but when an individual commits a homicide while on bail or release conditions, it is extremely discouraging and frustrating for our investigators,” said Officer in Charge of Major Crimes, Superintendent Joshua Graham in a media release. “In 2023, our Major Crimes unit had five instances where two to three separate homicides occurred in less than 48 hours. These clusters of homicides are alarming, but no longer an anomaly. Our Major Crimes investigators continue to do an outstanding job, despite not receiving any additional investigative resources since 2008. Their dedication, resiliency, and undeniable expertise is what contributes to solving 84 per cent of the homicides since 2015.”

One method provincial RCMP are using to monitor those prolific offenders released back into the community is through in-person checks on individuals to ensure they are abiding by their release conditions. Last year alone, members conducted around 17,000 proactive conditions checks on released offenders. From those visits, RCMP noted over 15,800 court orders violated.

Effective last week (Jan. 4), the amended Bill C-48 came into affect which targets repeat violent offenders in terms of bail, giving more tools for the criminal justice system to work with. 

“I am hopeful the amended bail provisions are a step in the right direction—because at the end of the day, those individuals who are not interested in rehabilitation or changing their lifestyle will continue to do harm to others and should not be released back into our communities,” said Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Rhonda Blackmore in a media release. “I am incredibly proud of our front-line officers and specialized units who continue to monitor, suppress, and investigate these violent offenders—from ensuring individuals are complying with their release conditions, implementing initiatives to target prolific offenders, arresting those with outstanding warrants, to investigating homicides.”

This story was originally published in The World-Spectator. It is republished under a Creative Commons license as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.