The Regina Police Service is excited to offer a new tier of community policing to the city of Regina. In the fall of 2024, seven Alternative Response Officers (AROs) hit the streets, patrolling Regina’s downtown area.
The Special Constables work in conjunction with police officers, delivering public safety programming in instances where an armed police officer isn’t required. The unit is also in place to increase the availability of armed police officers to respond to calls for service. While the program’s main focus is to provide support in the downtown area, it could extend beyond that area as needed.
The program launch is made possible thanks to a two-year partnership with the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety. This initial agreement will see $300,000 in provincial government funding matched by the Regina Police Service. It is being used to fund program development and roll out, training and salaries for the first year of the program.
Alternative Response Office duties can include:
- Direct service delivery – walking the downtown area, enforcing bylaw and provincial legislation, liaising with community partners, and ceremonial duties.
- Enforcement Support – assisting with traffic-related events and escorts, transporting arrested persons, and assisting in detention.
- Investigative Support – taking complaints from the public, writing reports, retrieving evidence and guarding scenes.
ARO’s receive 11 weeks of training, both in classroom and in the field. Among the skills the Special Constables will learn are: de-escalation techniques, community engagement strategies, defensive tactics, law and cross-cultural competencies.
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