Making a Police Complaint in Saskatchewan
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Filing a complaint against a police officer in Canada is your right, and the routes depend on which force the officer belongs to.
For the RCMP, complaints go to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC). For provincial and municipal forces, each province runs its own oversight body:
- Ontario: Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA)
- British Columbia: Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC)
- Alberta: Alberta Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB) / Police Review Commission
- Quebec: Commissaire a la deontologie policiere
Complaints split into two: conduct complaints (the officer's behaviour) and service or policy complaints (the force's procedures or training).
Where someone has been killed or seriously injured during a police encounter, you don't need to file — investigation is automatic, by a specialised civilian unit (Ontario's SIU, Alberta's ASIRT, Quebec's BEI).
When does it apply?
Anyone can file — citizenship status is irrelevant.
- Covers misconduct, excessive force, unlawful search, and discrimination.
- Time limits vary — usually somewhere between 6 months and 1 year — so move fast.
What to Do If a Police Officer in Canada Mistreats You or Violates Your Rights
The strength of any police complaint is the level of detail. Capture it before memory blurs.
- Write down everything as soon as you can — dates, times, badge numbers, exact words.
- Photograph injuries and damage immediately.
- File with the right body: RCMP at crcc-ccetp.gc.ca; Ontario at leca.ca; BC at opcc.bc.ca.
- File in writing and keep a copy of everything you send.
- For anything serious, talk to a lawyer before filing — strategy matters.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't sit on it. Time limits are strict and seldom extended.
- Don't exaggerate. Investigators discount complaints that overreach. Stick to what you saw.
- Don't confront the officer. The formal process is the only one with teeth.
- Don't post the story on social media before filing. Defence counsel will use it.
How Saskatchewan differs from federal law
Saskatchewan has a civilian oversight system for complaints about police conduct through the Public Complaints Commission under The Police Act, 1990 and the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT).
- The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) receives and investigates complaints about the conduct of municipal police officers in Saskatchewan. Complaints can be about any officer conduct, including excessive force, improper stops, rudeness, or failure to perform duties.
- The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) investigates serious incidents involving police officers, including incidents that result in death or serious injury to any person.
- For complaints about RCMP officers (who police most of rural Saskatchewan), file with the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC), the federal oversight body.
- After investigation, the PCC can make findings and recommendations. If an officer is found to have committed misconduct, they can face penalties including reprimand, suspension, or dismissal through the chief's disciplinary process.
- You can also file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission if you experienced discrimination during a police encounter.
Additional Steps in Saskatchewan
For municipal police complaints, file with the Public Complaints Commission by contacting the relevant police service or the provincial body. For RCMP complaints, file with the CRCC at 1-800-665-6878 or crcc-ccetp.gc.ca. There is a 1-year time limit from the date of the incident. For human rights complaints, file with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission within 1 year at 306-933-5952 or 1-800-667-9249. Document everything: names, badge numbers, time, location, and any witnesses.
Relevant Law: The Police Act, 1990, SS 1990-91, c. P-15.01, Part IV (Public Complaints); Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10 (CRCC provisions)
Common Questions
When does making a police complaint apply?
Anyone can file — citizenship status is irrelevant.Covers misconduct, excessive force, unlawful search, and discrimination.Time limits vary — usually somewhere between 6 months and 1 year — so move fast.
What should I do if a police officer in Canada abused their authority or treated me unfairly?
The strength of any police complaint is the level of detail. Capture it before memory blurs.Write down everything as soon as you can — dates, times, badge numbers, exact words.Photograph injuries and damage immediately.File with the right body: RCMP at crcc-ccetp.gc.ca; Ontario at leca.ca; BC at opcc.bc.ca.File in writing and keep a copy of everything you send.For anything serious, talk to a lawyer before filing — strategy matters.
What mistakes should I avoid with making a police complaint?
Don't sit on it. Time limits are strict and seldom extended.Don't exaggerate. Investigators discount complaints that overreach. Stick to what you saw.Don't confront the officer. The formal process is the only one with teeth.Don't post the story on social media before filing. Defence counsel will use it.
Making a Police Complaint in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.