The Saskatchewan government is investing $666,000 to hire six new Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) weigh scale officers, expanding commercial vehicle enforcement and road safety across the province.
Weigh scale officers inspect commercial vehicles at permanent scale locations to ensure weight and safety standards are met. Their presence also frees SHP traffic officers to focus on road enforcement and assist police services such as the RCMP with emergency calls.
“Saskatchewan Highway Patrol consistently delivers exceptional results, whether through check stops, commercial vehicle safety initiatives or joint operations with the RCMP to seize illicit drugs and weapons,” corrections, policing and public safety minister Tim McLeod said in a release. “This investment will help us create safer communities by equipping enforcement officers with the right training, resources and supports they need to succeed.”
All new officers will undergo a specialized training program that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job learning. Training includes use of the Mobile Vehicle Inspection System, technology that enables inspections anywhere in the province.
The officers will be stationed at weigh scales in Estevan and Swift Current, but with the new system can be deployed provincewide to support SHP enforcement and commercial vehicle safety.
