It’s not often that there’s an opportunity to be a founding member of a police force. Jesse Barlow has taken on the challenge.

“It’s a very unique opportunity. I don’t think police in Canada get the opportunity very often to help come in at the ground level and help build an organization and to be part of that influence of decision making and trying to create a police service that is unique,” Supt. Barlow explained.

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service was announced in 2022 to combat rural crime and to assist existing police forces through investigative projects.

“I think the biggest thing is the Marshals Service is a bit unique compared to other police services in the province as we’re not a call response service so that gives us the opportunity to spend more time with proactive initiatives or investigations,” Barlow added.

Currently, there are 13 Marshals at the service’s Prince Albert headquarters and another four at the North Battleford satellite office.

A media campaign has been launched to grow the force through new recruits and experienced officers.

Salaries range from $96,000 to $118,000 per year with paid training provided. Nolan Carter joined after spending ten years with the Prince Albert Police Service.

“For me it was about having something new and fresh,” Carter said.

“It was also about being proactive and not reactive with the calls that you were attending. It gave us more time to investigate certain files and actually follow through with the investigation and the arrest and the court process so I just thought it was an exciting kind of new adventure.”

The Marshals Service says its in a growth and development stage as it builds toward a 70-member force with future opportunities coming up for officers and civilian members in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford.