Saskatoon police get new chief and fresh start

Saskatoon has a new police chief, the beginning ofchanges that are expected to sweep through the city's troubled police service.

Clive Weighill, Regina's former deputy police chief, was sworn in as chief of police on Friday, the culmination of a highly publicized, months-long candidate search.

The last seven or so years have been a turbulent time in the Saskatoon Police Service, marked by strife between police and civilians, particularly aboriginal people.

The 2004 inquiry into the death of Neil Stonechild put a harsh spotlight on those tensions. Conflict within the police service itself has also been a factor.

The city began looking for a new top cop after the contract of the previous chief, Russell Sabo, was not renewed.

At his swearing-in on Friday, Weighill made it clear he arrives during an era of change not the least of which is the rapid turnoverin police ranks.Because ofa wave of retirements, a third of the force has fewer than five years of service.

"We have a very junior service but a well-qualified service, a well-trained service and one that you can trust," he said.

More changes may come in the way policing is done, he said.

"We will confirm successful practices and initiatives and integrate new ideas," he said.

On the other hand, the practices that have been effective in the past will continue, he said, with the goal ofreducing crime and promoting cultural diversity.