The Municipal Police Clothing and Rank Amendment Regulations, 2024, officially titled as such, were established under the Saskatchewan Police Act, 1990, and filed on September 26, 2024. These regulations amend the existing Municipal Police Clothing and Rank Regulations, 1991, updating definitions, uniform requirements, and standards for police clothing and accessories. A notable change is the introduction of the term “specialized uniform,” which refers to uniforms worn during specific activities such as training and specialized operations, including police communications, forensic identification, and crowd management. The previous definition of “uniform” has been revised to denote a “basic working uniform” used during standard duty tours.

In terms of uniform requirements, Section 4 outlines the mandatory components for all ranks, specifying items such as tunics, trousers, shirts, ties, footwear, caps, gloves, and jackets. This section has been amended to clarify the types and styles of these items, while optional clothing and accessories for specific duties include task-appropriate gloves, flashlights, sweaters, equipment pouches, and specialized motorcycle gear. Furthermore, a new section (4.1) mandates that all police service clothing and accessories must maintain a consistent appearance and receive approval from the police chief.

Section 9 details the requirements for outer garments, stating that jackets should be dark navy blue or black and include features like two-way front zippers and epaulets, while prohibiting materials that resemble leather. Section 10 introduces headwear regulations, specifying forage caps and optional fur caps, alongside guidelines on proper wear and restrictions on wearing baseball caps with tunics. Additionally, Subsection 13(1) has been updated to require all ranks to wear plain black closed-toe shoes or ankle-style boots, ensuring uniformity across the police force.

Section 14 specifies that all accessories must be black and of good quality, including gloves, waist belts, holsters, and pouches. New sections (14.1 and 14.2) allow the chief to authorize alternative uniform items, such as turtlenecks, maternity uniforms, and articles worn for religious reasons. Members may also display the flags of Saskatchewan or Canada on their uniforms.

These amendments aim to improve professionalism and functionality in police uniforms while ensuring a consistent and standardized appearance across Saskatchewan police services. By defining specialized uniforms and establishing guidelines for optional clothing, the regulations recognize the diverse roles and operational needs of police personnel. The requirement for consistent appearance and the stipulation that all clothing must be approved by the chief indicate a move toward greater cohesion and professionalism within the force. The updates reflect contemporary needs, including provisions for maternity uniforms and religious accommodations. The Municipal Police Clothing and Rank Amendment Regulations, 2024, represent an overhaul of police uniform standards in Saskatchewan, ensuring that officers are equipped with practical, professional, and consistent attire for their duties and reflecting a commitment to modernizing policing standards to meet the evolving requirements of law enforcement in the province.

Saskatchewan (76/2024) October 4, 2024