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Saskatchewan RCMP

Saskatchewan RCMP annual crime statistics and yearly trends

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Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore

I’m a firm believer in transparency and continuing to share the Saskatchewan RCMP story with our partners and the communities we serve – the positives and the challenges. The reality of the situation is that crime continues to increase across Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction.

RCMP officers police 46% of Saskatchewan’s population – however, the RCMP is responding to and investigating 60% of the total Criminal Code violations in the province.

It’s important to understand the complexities of policing, evolving criminal activity, and resourcing realities we are faced with on a daily basis. We want the public to know that in the last 10 years, in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction:

  • the number of homicide victims increased by 275%
  • the number of violent firearm offences increased by 271%
  • the number of assaults on our RCMP officers increased by 79%
  • the number of assault offences increased by 33%

With an increase in crime, comes a need for a larger police presence in our province. I am pleased to share that this year, the Provincial Government has committed to funding our full complement of 1,047 RCMP officers. This welcomed commitment ensures we have the resources needed to help keep Saskatchewan communities safe.

While we work to fill these positions, we are doing what we can to alleviate pressures on our detachments. We’ve implemented strategies to respond to increasing workload, crime and complexity of duties. This includes temporary amalgamations of some RCMP detachments, using new and innovative tools - such as unmanned aerial vehicles - to enhance our policing techniques, and shifting resources to ensure workloads are manageable. We’re committed to continuing our aggressive recruiting efforts to attract new RCMP officers to Saskatchewan. We have changed our practices so that if you are recruited to the RCMP from Saskatchewan and want to return to Saskatchewan, you are able to do that and have the opportunity to have a positive impact in your home province.

I want to be clear – law enforcement is only one part of the solution for decreasing crime. Social issues like substance addiction, gangs, and absence of community resources are some of the root causes of crime. These issues are complex and take a concerted, multi-agency response. We are dedicated to continuing to work with our partner agencies to ensure we can support and contribute to positive change in Saskatchewan.

It goes without saying that each community is different and has unique policing needs. Ongoing partnership and collaboration with local leadership allow us to identify what challenges the community is faced with. We are committed to working with our communities to address those unique policing needs in our communities throughout Saskatchewan.

Despite some of the challenges you have heard about today…I want to speak about the resiliency of the communities in our province and the absolutely fantastic people who live there. I have been back in Saskatchewan now for over three years. During this time, I have attended countless community events, feasts, traditions sharing, luncheons, celebrations and more. I know and hear firsthand the important relationships our front line officers and employees providing operational support have with the people in the communities they call home.

Our employees are working hard to provide the best possible policing services to the people of Saskatchewan. I would encourage you to reach out to your local RCMP detachment - give them a thanks for the hard work they’re doing to keep communities safe. It’s these small messages that go a long way in making our employees feel appreciated and helps build those important community relationships that can ultimately help counter criminal activity.

Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore
Commanding Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP

Saskatchewan RCMP overview

The Saskatchewan RCMP is responsible for policing 99.9% of the total area and 46% of the total population of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan RCMP is comprised of three districts: North, Central and South.

In 2023, 60% of the total Criminal Code violations were in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction, as well as 65% of the total violent crime. Although the Saskatchewan RCMP police under half of the Saskatchewan population, almost two thirds of the Criminal Code violations in this province were responded to and investigated by RCMP officers.

In Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction, crime rates have remained high and are continuing to increase. An overall provincial downward trend in crime rate has been noted – however, this is the result of crime rates decreasing for other Saskatchewan police services (such as Regina Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service, Moose Jaw Police Service).

Chart 1: Saskatchewan crime rate by police jurisdiction

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Saskatchewan crime rate by police jurisdiction footnote 1
Year Saskatchewan RCMP Other Saskatchewan police
1998 13,624 15,362
1999 12,923 15,237
2000 13,307 15,868
2001 14,335 16,811
2002 15,114 15,819
2003 16,897 17,561
2004 16,869 16,559
2005 15,729 15,956
2006 15,513 14,950
2007 15,277 14,855
2008 14,902 14,027
2009 15,436 13,178
2010 16,071 12,458
2011 16,036 12,133
2012 15,883 11,218
2013 14,763 10,418
2014 14,024 10,395
2015 15,067 10,751
2016 15,457 11,598
2017 14,977 11,124
2018 14,188 11,320
2019 15,128 10,975
2020 15,727 9,284
2021 16,393 9,623
2022 16,892 10,069
2023 17,577 10,482

Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown – Population

  • North District makes up 27% of the population under Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction
  • Central District makes up 34% of the population under Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction
  • South District makes up 39% of the population under Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction

Operational Communications Centre (9-1-1 calls)

The Saskatchewan RCMP Divisional Operational Communications Centre (DOCC) provides support to the three Districts by answering calls for service – including emergency calls (9-1-1) from the public and dispatching the appropriate police resources to a specific area. The DOCC is often the first point of contact for those in a crisis or experiencing an emergency.

From 2015 to 2019, the Saskatchewan RCMP DOCC averaged 266,000 calls per year. From 2019 to 2021, the DOCC operators experienced an increase in total calls – surpassing 352,000 calls in the last two years.

Chart 2: DOCC annual call volume

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DOCC annual call volume
Year Saskatchewan RCMP total calls
2015 252,526
2016 267,273
2017 257,601
2018 281,111
2019 269,027
2020 323,168
2021 350,667
2022 352,854
2023 352,663

From 2015 to 2019, the DOCC operators averaged answering 4,000 Priority 1 calls per year. Priority 1 calls are the highest priority and require immediate dispatch – these calls usually involve either a reported loss of life or a need for police to prevent a loss of life. Since 2020, there have been more than 5,000 Priority 1 calls per year – this is equivalent to 15 Priority 1 calls a day, every single day of the year.

Chart 3: DOCC annual number of Priority 1 calls

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DOCC annual number of Priority 1 calls
Year Priority 1 calls
2015 3,691
2016 4,446
2017 4,148
2018 3,517
2019 4,259
2020 5,347
2021 5,454
2022 5,427
2023 5,268

Emergency Response Team deployments

The Saskatchewan RCMP Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) respond to the most serious and dangerous situations as they unfold. One component of the Saskatchewan RCMP CIRT is the Emergency Response Team (ERT) – who are responsible for providing tactical support to detachments or units that require assistance with both planned and reactive events.

From 2019 to 2023, the total Saskatchewan RCMP ERT deployments have doubled – this includes planned responses (for example, executing high risk warrants) and unplanned/emergency responses (for example, armed/barricaded individual, mass casualty event). However, the unplanned/emergency responses have tripled in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction.

Chart 4: Annual number of Emergency Response Team deployments

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Saskatchewan RCMP annual number of Emergency Response Team deployments
Year Planned Emergency Total
2019 25 19 44
2020 23 28 51
2021 26 47 73
2022 27 41 68
2023 31 63 94

From January 1 to June 30, 2024, the Saskatchewan RCMP ERT has been deployed 46 times throughout the province.

Violent crime

Violent crime offences include Assault, Harassment or Uttering Threats, Sexual Assault or other sexual offences, Firearms, Robbery, Forcible Confinement, Kidnapping, Attempted Murder, and Homicide.

Saskatchewan RCMP data indicates that not only are there more victims of violent crime – the victims are experiencing more severe forms of violence.

In 2023, assault offences accounted for 62% and harassment or uttering threats offences accounted for 25% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction.

2023 – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • North District accounted for 56% of the total violent crime reported
  • Central District accounted for 23% of the total violent crime reported
  • South District accounted for 21% of the total violent crime reported

10-year trend (2014 to 2023) – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) reports of violent crime offences have increased 46% in the last 10 years
  • North District reports of violent crime offences have increased 51% in the last 10 years
  • Central District reports of violent crime offences have increased 45% in the last 10 years
  • South District reports of violent crime offences have increased 34% in the last 10 years

Chart 5: Violent crime 10-year trend

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Saskatchewan RCMP violent crime 10-year trend
Year North District Central District South District
2014 7,720 3,296 3,228
2015 8,218 3,436 3,506
2016 8,693 3,460 3,819
2017 9,787 3,821 3,899
2018 9,213 3,669 3,909
2019 9,811 3,947 3,878
2020 10,955 4,190 4,060
2021 10,990 4,183 4,095
2022 1,795 4,379 3,984
2023 1,694 4,765 4,310

From January 1 to May 31, 2024, violent crime offences reported to the Saskatchewan RCMP have increased 2% compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Assault

Assault includes Common Assault, Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm.

From 2014 to 2023, Assault offences have increased 33% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. The majority of the offences that are categorized under Assault, are driven by Common Assault – which generally refers to situations when someone is grabbed, pushed, shoved, slapped, punched or kicked. However, there has been an increase in more severe forms of assault – which includes Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm and Aggravated Assault.

From 2014 to 2023, Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm offences have increased 86% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. This involves situations when the perpetrator carries, uses or threatens to use a weapon; causes bodily harm or chokes, suffocates or strangles the victim.

From 2014 to 2023, Aggravated Assault offences have increased 41% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. As per the Criminal Code, this involves situations where the victim is wounded, maimed, disfigured or their life is endangered.

Chart 6: Annual number of assaults

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Saskatchewan RCMP annual number of assaults
Year Assault Weapon/causing bodily harm Aggravated Total assaults
2014 7,470 2,068 223 9,761
2015 7,831 2,323 216 10,370
2016 7,983 2,497 254 10,734
2017 8,622 2,725 233 11,580
2018 8,102 2,546 217 10,865
2019 8,452 2,643 264 11,359
2020 8,627 3,235 297 12,159
2021 8,344 3,297 320 11,961
2022 8,871 3,572 355 12,798
2023 8,800 3,840 315 12,955

2023 – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • North District accounted for 62% of the total Assault offences reported
  • Central District accounted for 20% of the total Assault offences reported
  • South District accounted for 17% of the total Assault offences reported

10-year Trend (2014 to 2023) – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) reports of Assault offences have increased 33% in the last 10 years
  • North District reports of Assault offences have increased 38% in the last 10 years
  • Central District reports of Assault offences have increased 33% in the last 10 years
  • South District reports of Assault offences have increased 16% in the last 10 years

From January 1 to May 31, 2024, Assault offences reported to the Saskatchewan RCMP have increased 0.2% compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Interpersonal violence

Interpersonal violence consists of intimate partner relationships (spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, other intimate relationship), family relationships (spouse, ex-spouse, parent, step-parent, child, step-child, extended family), and community relationships (stranger, casual acquaintance, friend, neighbour, roommate, authority figure, reverse authority figure, business relationship, or criminal relationship).

In 2023, over half of the violent crime in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction was attributed to Intimate Partner and Family Violence.

Chart 7: 2023 relationship category

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Saskatchewan RCMP 2023 relationship category
Relationship category Total Percentage
Community violence 6,639 39%
Family violence (does not include spouse and separated or divorced total) 4,118 24%
Spouse and separated or divorced 814 5%
Intimate-partner violence (does not include spouse and separated or divorced total) 3,689 22%
Unknown 1,727 10%

Of the total Intimate Partner and Family Violence in 2023, boyfriend/girlfriend relationships account for 29%, extended family account for 20%, and spouses account for 15% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction.

In the summer of 2020, there was a spike in the number of victims of intimate partner and family violence based on reports made to the Saskatchewan RCMP. Since then, the average number of victims per month has been higher than before the pandemic:

  • Prior to 2020, the average number of reported victims of Intimate Partner and Family Violence was 600 per month in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction
  • From 2021 and onward, the average number of reported victims of Intimate Partner and Family Violence is 700 per month in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction

Chart 8: Monthly victims of intimate partner and family violence

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Saskatchewan RCMP monthly victims of intimate partner and family violence
Month 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
January 532 587 661 629 631 766
February 506 465 604 571 651 653
March 528 610 637 763 763 689
April 560 661 578 752 700 706
May 633 670 779 728 726 749
June 581 702 802 740 720 793
July 570 695 1,001 745 803 773
August 569 669 878 732 723 775
September 494 647 730 671 702 654
October 516 654 773 726 779 700
November 534 608 631 648 605 683
December 568 616 681 663 759 680
Yearly average 549 632 730 697 714 718

2023 – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • North District accounted for 59% of the total victims of Intimate Partner and Family Violence reported
  • Central District accounted for 22% of the total victims of Intimate Partner and Family Violence reported
  • South District accounted for 18% of the total victims of Intimate Partner and Family Violence reported

Five-year Trend (2019 to 2023) – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) reports of Intimate Partner and Family Violence offences have increased 13% in the last 5 years
  • North District reports of Intimate Partner and Family Violence offences have increased 14% in the last 5 years
  • Central District reports of Intimate Partner and Family Violence offences have increased 19% in the last 5 years
  • South District reports of Intimate Partner and Family Violence offences have increased 7% in the last 5 years

From January 1 to June 30, 2024, Intimate Partner and Family Violence offences reported to the Saskatchewan RCMP have decreased 2% compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Homicide

Homicide includes First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, and Manslaughter.

Over the last 25 years, 51% of the total provincial homicides have occurred in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction.

From 2014 to 2023, there have been 272 victims of homicide – of these homicides, 60% occurred in North District, 23% occurred in Central District, and 17% occurred in South District. In this same timeframe, the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes unit has laid charges in 86% of the homicide investigations, which means 299 people have been charged with either First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, or Manslaughter.

From 2019 to 2023, 44% of people charged with homicide were on conditions, bail, parole, or probation at the time the homicide was committed.

Five-year Homicide Average (2019 to 2023) – District Breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) 5.3 homicide victims per 100,000 population
  • North District 12.6 homicide victims per 100,000 population
  • Central District 4.6 homicide victims per 100,000 population
  • South District 2.0 homicide victims per 100,000 population

The Canadian homicide rate averaged 1.9 homicide victims per 100,000.footnote 2

Chart 9: Annual number of homicide victims

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Saskatchewan RCMP annual number of homicide victims
Year January to June July to December Total
2014 3 5 8
2015 17 9 26
2016 17 18 35
2017 15 8 23
2018 9 13 22
2019 9 11 20
2020 16 15 31
2021 11 23 34
2022 12 31 43
2023 15 15 30
2024 year-to-date 22 1 23

2023 – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • North District accounted for 53% of the total homicides reported
  • Central District accounted for 27% of the total homicides reported
  • South District accounted for 20% of the total homicides reported

10-year Trend (2014 to 2023) – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) homicide victims have increased 275% in the last 10 years: 8 homicide victims in 2014, to 30 homicide victims in 2023
  • North District homicide victims have increased 433% in the last 10 years: 3 homicide victims in 2014, to 16 homicide victims in 2023
  • Central District homicide victims have increased 100% in the last 10 years: 4 homicide victims in 2014, to 8 homicide victims in 2023
  • South District homicide victims have increased 500% in the last 10 years : 1 homicide victim in 2014, to 6 homicide victims in 2023

From January 1 to June 31, 2024, homicides reported to the Saskatchewan RCMP have increased 47% compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Assault on a police officer

From 2014 to 2023, the Saskatchewan RCMP has noted a steady increase of Assault on Police Officer offences.

2023 – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • North District accounted for 62% of the total Assault on Police Officer offences reported
  • Central District accounted for 24% of the total Assault on Police Officer offences reported
  • South District accounted for 14% of the total Assault on Police Officer offences reported

10-year Trend (2014 to 2023) – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) reports of Assault on Police Officer offences have increased 79% in the last 10 years
  • North District reports of Assault on Police Officer offences have increased 84% in the last 10 years
  • Central District reports of Assault on Police Officer offences have increased 80% in the last 10 years
  • South District reports of Assault on Police Officer offences have increased 59% in the last 10 years

Chart 10: Annual number of assaults on police officers by district

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Annual number of assaults on police officers by district
Year North District Central District South District Saskatchewan RCMP total
2014 170 66 44 280
2015 165 76 54 295
2016 162 69 84 315
2017 168 64 77 309
2018 214 74 76 364
2019 236 76 78 390
2020 266 85 84 435
2021 235 101 78 414
2022 297 117 68 482
2023 313 119 70 502

From January 1to May 31, 2024, Assault on Police Officer offences in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction have decreased 5% compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Violent firearm

Violent firearm offences include Discharging a Firearm with Intent, Pointing a Firearm, and Using a Firearm During the Commission of an Offence.

From 2014 to 2023, violent firearms offences have more than tripled in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. Furthermore, the Saskatchewan RCMP has the highest rate of firearm offences in the country.

Chart 11: Annual number of violent firearms offences

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Annual number of violent firearms offences
Year Saskatchewan RCMP total
2014 126
2015 140
2016 132
2017 250
2018 207
2019 287
2020 359
2021 429
2022 391
2023 467

2023 – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • North District accounted for 70% of the total violent firearm offences reported
  • Central District accounted for 20% of the total violent firearm offences reported
  • South District accounted for 10% of the total violent firearm offences reported

10-year Trend (2014 to 2023) – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) reports of violent firearm offences have increased 271% in the last 10 years
  • North District reports of violent firearm offences have increased 474% in the last 10 years
  • Central District reports of violent firearm offences have increased 76% in the last 10 years
  • South District reports of violent firearm offences have increased 200% in the last 10 years

From January 1 to May 31, 2024, violent firearm offences reported to the Saskatchewan RCMP have increased 24% compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Property crime

Property crime includes Mischief, Theft, Break and Enters, Fraud, Traffic Stolen Goods, and Arson.

Saskatchewan RCMP officers are investigating almost 12,000 more property crimes than they were 10 years ago. Of the total property crime in 2023, Mischief offences account for 58% and Theft offences accounted for 21% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction.

2023 – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • North District: accounted for 54% of the total property crime reported
  • Central District: accounted for 26% of the total property crime reported
  • South District: accounted for 20% of the total property crime reported

10-year Trend (2014 to 2023) – Saskatchewan RCMP district breakdown

  • Saskatchewan RCMP (overall) reports of property crime offences have increased 33% in the last 10 years
  • North District reports of property crime offences have increased 43% in the last 10 years, a 27% increase since 2020 alone
  • Central District reports of property crime offences have increased 27% in the last 10 years
  • South District reports of property crime offences have increased 19% in the last 10 years

Chart 12: Property crime 10-year trend

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Property crime 10-year trend
Year North District Central District South District
2014 17,854 9,529 8,084
2015 20,285 11,042 8,690
2016 19,845 11,714 9,932
2017 20,174 11,037 9,967
2018 19,721 11,258 9,147
2019 19,927 10,555 8,846
2020 20,087 10,455 8,185
2021 22,517 11,075 8,049
2022 23,735 12,135 8,914
2023 25,467 12,115 9,595

From January 1 to May 31, 2024, property crime offences reported to the Saskatchewan RCMP have increased 13% compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Mischief and motor vehicle theft

From 2014 to 2023, Mischief has increased 38% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. Mischief offences include Damage to Property and Obstructing Enjoyment of Property.

From 2014 to 2023, Motor Vehicle Theft has increased 61% in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. The most commonly stolen vehicles are trucks, followed by cars.

Chart 13: Annual number of motor vehicle thefts

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Annual number of motor vehicle thefts
Year Truck Car SUV Minivan Motorcycle Total
2014 648 333 155 74 31 1,241
2015 822 415 209 107 45 1,598
2016 1,018 440 261 94 40 1,853
2017 972 416 251 131 41 1,811
2018 897 421 283 102 30 1,733
2019 845 380 296 84 23 1,628
2020 758 374 274 88 19 1,513
2021 788 422 320 79 48 1,657
2022 960 425 395 81 38 1,899
2023 1,052 392 436 85 39 2,004

Continuing to tell the Saskatchewan RCMP’s story

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