Saskatoon police report growing number of Indigenous staff

The number of Indigenous people working at the Saskatoon Police Service is on the rise.

According to areport presented Thursdayto theSaskatoon Police Commission, there are 64 Indigenous employees with the service. That's more than double the number of 15 years earlier.The report saidthere are also more women, visible minorities and people with disabilities.

Saskatoon Police Superintendent Brian Shalovelo says they've been working hard to diversify their workplace.

"We are trying to be representative of our community, and I think the report shows we are going in the right direction," Shalovelo said.

The numbers are increasing, but they still lag behind the targets set by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. To have a representative work force, the SHRC recommends 14per cent of workplaces be Indigenous. The Saskatoon Police Services sits at 10 per cent.

"We're on the right track. Are we where we want to be? No, but we're making progresstowardsthat," he said.

Saskatoon Police say they're working hard to connect with the Indigenous community and other groups.

Those efforts include fun runs, school talks, a diversity breakfast and other projects. Shalovelosays police are grateful for the support they've been getting from community groups.