SASKATOON SK (June 5, 2020)—Earlier today Chief Troy Cooper of the Saskatoon Police Service personally contacted Saskatoon Pride to inform the organization of disturbing posts made on the private account of a member of the service. The posts are  hurtful, disturbing and dangerous to not just Saskatoon’s queer community, but to the entire community and are not worthy of someone charged with upholding the law and protecting the community.

We have been informed that the officer in question was immediately placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation that Chief Cooper committed to have happen without delay. We await the results and the actions that will be taken based on the findings.

It is a sad day for Saskatoon that, in the midst of outrage over the racist and criminal acts committed by police against the BIPOC community across the continent and during a month meant to celebrate diversity, inclusion and Pride, there is a member of the Saskatoon police force who would feel that they were entitled to express such bigoted views, while claiming to uphold the law and serve the public.

The efforts of Chief Cooper and members of the SPS are recognized and we hope to see swift and affirmative action taken to prevent this from happening again, not just for the 2SLGBTQ+ community but to all communities that face discrimination and police violence.