Members of the Saskatchewan Marshals Service are one step closer to active policing.

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service swore in its first graduating class in Prince Albert, where the service is headquartered.

“We have the ability to set the tone,” said Marshal Josh Peterson in his valedictory speech. “We can set the expectations for what we want the organization to be.”

Chief Marshal Robert Cameron said the service looks forward to the work ahead.

“There’s a lot of very strong morale,” he said. “There’s a lot of excitement about getting to do their work and getting out there and making a difference.”

The nine graduates still have additional training, and Cameron says the service will have boots on the ground by June.

“They’re in a second phase of training right now, and I liken it to almost like a hockey team,” he said.

“You have to do some practice first to kind of get to know each other and to get used to each other and then figure out how they’re going to do business.”

The Prince Albert Police Service had members in attendance at the swearing in.

“It certainly helps that they’re setting up shop right in our backyard,” said police Chief Patrick Nogier.

“We’re currently in negotiations and working through different types of agreements so that we have a good working relationship moving forward.”

Chief Nogier hopes the marshals will alleviate some challenges facing the municipal service.

“Whether it’s helping us with warrant execution, whether it’s more in-depth types of investigations involving drugs and guns and gangs. All those things are on the table, and we’re exploring those options as we speak.”

The Marshal Service aims to have 70 officers by the end of the year, and it is planning to set up an office in North Battleford this fall.

The new service says it has received interest from across the country, and a recruit class will begin in July.