The Saskatoon Police Service has fired three officers after a year-long investigation.
Those officers and two others were suspended in September 2024 after an “off-duty gathering” that led to internal and external investigations.
The dismissed officers are two constables with nine and 10 years on the force, and a special constable with two years, according to a news release. The two other suspended officers returned to work in April 2025.
“The actions we’ve taken here today reflect our commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability, and demonstrate that no one is above the expectations of this organization or the trust placed in us by the community,” Police Chief Cam McBride said in the release.
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, McBride said an internal professional standards investigation has concluded, but a separate, external investigation by the province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is still ongoing.
SIRT is an independent oversight body that investigates “matters where serious injury or death may have occurred while in the custody of police, as a result of the actions of a police officer, or where sexual assault or interpersonal violence involving police are alleged,” according to its website.
On Aug. 28, CBC reported that the suspensions traced back to a house party in September 2024 hosted by a member of the elite Emergency Response Team, also known as the tactical team.
Officers who contacted CBC said that a tactical team member allegedly physically assaulted a junior female officer at the party. According to McBride, the Saskatoon Police’s internal investigation has not resulted in any criminal charges. He wouldn’t speculate on SIRT’s investigation.
The officers also alleged that a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang was an invited guest at the party, and that his presence jeopardized the police undercover program.
At the news conference, the police chief said he does not believe any undercover operations were compromised. However, partly as a result of the investigation, the police service has updated its conflict of interest policy to forbid officers from associating with anyone “deemed to be undesirable” and where that relationship poses a risk to the member or the police service.
Police morale
Chief McBride confirmed to CBC in August that some officers showed up at the police station in early December 2024 wearing T-shirts customized with the slogan, #Freeourboys2024. McBride ordered that the T-shirts not be worn.
“I think that the vast majority of Saskatoon police service members will be very happy, very encouraged at the position that we have taken to uphold [the code of ethics],” he told reporter Wednesday.
One officer was dismissed several weeks ago and McBride said that officer plans to appeal. The other two officers were dismissed Wednesday morning.
In an unrelated investigation, the SPS revealed a sergeant with 22 years of service who was suspended in February was later dismissed in March 2025. McBride said it’s “very common” to not release the result of an internal disciplinary matter.
When asked why these ones were made public, McBride replied that this was, “an internal investigation with significant public interest.”
