The Saskatoon Police Service is preparing to host its fourth annual Indigenous Recruiting Day, seeking to recruit the next generation of police officers and strengthen ties within the local community.
The day-long event on October 2 offers prospective applicants a hands-on preview of a career in law enforcement. Attendees will participate in interactive activities with the Forensic Identification Unit—including fingerprinting techniques—view live firearms demonstrations in the building’s indoor firing range and learn about physical testing standards.
Constable Evan Pasternak, a recruiter with the Saskatoon Police Service, noted that the event is designed to highlight Indigenous officers within the service while fostering meaningful connections.
“We are really searching for the next generation of officers for our police service,” Pasternak said. “It is a focus on Indigenous recruitment, so we’re going to be featuring our Indigenous officers and promoting our community connections.”
Indigenous officers currently account for approximately 12 percent of the Saskatoon Police Service. However, SPS recruiters emphasize that ongoing recruitment remains a strategic priority as part of broader systemic efforts.
“We’re following specific Truth and Reconciliation calls to action and really highlighting that we need to be representative of our community,” Pasternak explained. “We need to find that next generation of youth that are willing to represent our service and make a difference in our communities.”
While the police service does not hold a rigid numerical quota, Pasternak expressed optimism about long-term goals for diversity within the ranks.
“We would love to see say 25 per cent if we could get there one day,” Pasternak said. “We definitely want to be very diverse in our hiring, and it is definitely a major part of our strategic planning as well.”
Spots remain available for the October 2 event, and lunch will be provided free of charge for all registered participants.
Interested applicants can register online by visiting the official SPS recruitment portal at join.saskatoonpolice.ca.