Saskatchewan RCMP explains the process of civil emergency alerts

The RCMP are still in the process of investigating the break-in that resulted in a death last week, receiving multiple tips after sketches were recently released.

Through the investigation, those officers have been assisted by public information that's come in since they first sent out a request for public assistance.

They currently have no updates on the case, other than advising people that the adult woman victim who was injured during the break-in has been released from hospital.

They've also received some questions on why this case had a civil emergency alert attached to it.

In a recent release, they expalined what goes into a decision like this and how it's made:

The Saskatchewan RCMP’s decision to issue a civil emergency alert for a dangerous person is situationally based. Not every homicide or serious investigation will result in an emergency alert being issued. Specific criteria – like that for an AMBER Alert – are challenging to define, because every situation and investigation is unique and varies greatly.

Generally speaking, investigators will consider if there is an imminent ability, intent and means for someone to cause serious/significant bodily harm or death to others. We also must provide instructions for the public to act upon (example: shelter in place). These considerations and discussions are fluid and ongoing during the course of an investigation and unfolding incident. Reassessments occur on an ongoing basis as circumstances change and investigations continue.

When the February 10, 2023 homicide occurred in the Stockholm/Esterhazy area, specific suspect information nor vehicle descriptions were available. Given these factors, we have to consider: where would an emergency alert be issued and what would we ask the public to look for?

Police officers physically attended individual residences in the vicinity of this incident shortly after it occurred to confirm the wellbeing of others in the area and notify them about the incident. A media release was issued publicly at 8:23 a.m. February 10. As soon as the suspect sketches were prepared, they were released to our news partners and shared with the public on February 12.

We continue to encourage the public to report information about this incident to police by calling 310-RCMP, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or call 911 in an emergency.