Saskatchewan is looking to buy some high-tech weaponry for its marshals police service, including sniper rifles, sound cannons and a thermal camera.
In a bid request posted online late last month, the province says the marshals need the equipment for a special response unit.
The unit also requires night vision goggles, hydraulic breaching tools and a multi-shot launcher, it says.
At a news conference Monday, the Opposition NDP said it wants to know the cost of the equipment and how the items fit into the marshals’ broader mandate.
Hugh Gordon, the NDP’s community safety critic, told reporters in Saskatoon that the new equipment appears to exceed what’s needed for duties of the marshals promised by the Saskatchewan Party government.
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“Some of it seems to be justified, but some of the other stuff – like the ballistic helmets, the shields, the sound cannon – a lot of this appears to be like they’re going to be the first (officers) through the door,” he said.
“But they’ve already said they don’t want to do that.”
He said the money used for the new equipment could go towards second-stage shelters, recovery and addictions spaces or other policing agencies.
The province didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The marshals began operating last year with the mandate to help other policing agencies fight rural crime, gangs and drugs. They are to also arrest high-risk offenders with outstanding warrants.
Since its inception, the NDP has criticized the service.
Earlier this year, it accused the marshals of poaching officers from other agencies instead of beefing up law enforcement.
Of the 27 marshals hired earlier this year, two are new and the rest came from other agencies, the NDP has said.
The marshals service is planning to hire 70 officers and has said it’s continuing to work towards that goal.
Michael Weger, the province’s community safety minister, has said the government wants to attract people to the province for policing jobs. It’s also expanding training at the Saskatchewan Police College.
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