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The Saskatchewan RCMP's Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) posted it's look back at 2024 and how the unit performed over the year.
SERT helps to apprehend individuals with active warrants, particularly those who are in criminal groups and are violent, prolific offenders.
Made up of 108 RCMP officers and 31 civilian support staff, with different teams located in 10 Saskatchewan communities, SERT often deploys to surrounding areas.
Some additional teams under their purview include the Crime Reduction Teams (CRT), the Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit (HTCEU), Offender Management Unit (OMU), Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Teams (STRT) and Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Teams (WEST).
In 2024, Saskatchewan RCMP’s SERT executed 662 arrest warrants and 17 electronic monitoring arrests in the province. They also seized 4.9 kg of cocaine, 900g of methamphetamine, 456,557 packs of tobacco, and $196,607.75 in cash.
Doing the work of those warrant requires cooperation with existing RCMP officers, which Inspector Jeff Smoliak, Saskatchewan RCMP's SERT Senior Investigative Officer, says is an important part of their work.
“SERT’s operational capacity and integration in the RCMP are essential to locating and apprehending violent offenders who jeopardize the safety of residents. Taking criminals out of communities helps protect the well-being of those who live there and ensures the Saskatchewan RCMP continues to fulfil its mandate as the provincial police force.”
“These apprehensions are dynamic situations that can be dangerous for everyone involved. The supports we receive from frontline RCMP officers across the province, RCMP criminal analysts, the Critical Incident Response Team and other support services are essential to taking wanted individuals into custody safely,” adds Insp. Smoliak.